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Defect type ·241 observations
High · 1–4/5

Missing Roof Sarking

Roofing/real

Missing Roof Sarking is a high-severity roofing defect SURE inspectors have documented across 241 inspection reports. Highest concentration in Ellenbrook.

Causes

  • Presence of sarking limiting access and visibility.
  • Not installed during original construction
  • Original construction without sarking
  • Construction method (older building)
  • Not installed during construction

Symptoms to look for

  • Inability to visually identify defects or timber pest activity/damage in affected areas of the roof void.
  • Incomplete visual inspection of roof space/void
  • Visible deterioration/damage to sarking
  • Sarking deteriorated/damaged/aged
  • Sarking not installed

Remedies

  • Obtain written approval from owner to move obstructing items to enable a complete full inspection.
  • Access by removing sarking sections to allow visual identification of defects
  • Engage a qualified roofing contractor for advice and recommendations
  • Consider installation for improved roof performance and protection.
  • Consider installation if desired for additional weather protection
Inspection geography

Where we see this most

These suburbs show the highest concentration of missing roof sarking in our inspection data (minimum five observations). Click a suburb to see its full defect profile.

Critical

Get an inspector through this property.

Findings in this category skew high severity. If you are under contract, we can usually book inside the cooling-off window. Every inspection includes 12 months of free advice.

Inspector-written

Curated entries in Roofing

All entries →
  • Curated 1–4/5
    Cracked Roof Mortar

    Mortar bedding and pointing on tiled roofs cracks over time due to thermal movement and weathering. Cracked mortar at ridge caps, hip ends, and verge flashings allows water to track into the roof cavity, leading to ceiling staining, battens and top-plate decay, and eventual leak damage if left unattended.

  • Curated 1–3/5
    Eave Lining Stains

    Staining on eave linings is a visible indicator of past or ongoing water overflow - most commonly from blocked gutters allowing water to back up behind the fascia. We see this in 15.5% of Perth inspection reports, typically as a cosmetic flag that leads back to a maintenance root cause.

  • Curated 2–4/5
    Leaking Gutters

    Gutters that leak at joints, end caps, or through rust holes deposit water against fascias, eave linings, and wall cladding rather than routing it to downpipes and stormwater. Persistent wetting creates conducive conditions for fungal decay, borer activity, and termite attack at the roof perimeter - some of the most expensive structural repairs on a Perth home.

  • Curated 2–4/5
    Cracked or Broken Concrete Roof Tiles

    Cracked, chipped, or broken concrete roof tiles allowing water ingress to the roof space. Common defect in Perth and Sydney homes with concrete tile roofs, accelerated by thermal cycling and foot traffic during maintenance.

  • Curated 2–4/5
    Deteriorated Ridge Capping Mortar

    Crumbling or cracked mortar bedding on ridge capping tiles allowing water entry along the roof ridge line. Extremely common in Perth homes due to intense sun exposure and thermal cycling.

Same category

More from Roofing

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9,237 inspections · 242,618 defects found · Inspector-owned franchises