Sydney NSW · Roof leak specialists · 24/7
Roof Leak Detection Sydney
Ceiling stain, a drip every time it rains, or a roof leak your roofer can't find? 1300 FINDLEAK traces roof, box gutter, balcony and skylight leaks across Sydney to the exact entry point with thermal imaging, drones and controlled water testing, without pulling the roof apart. Fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST, an insurance-ready report with every job, and a 24/7 emergency line.
Water coming through the ceiling right now?
- Put a bucket under the drip and move furniture, rugs and electronics away from the water.
- If the ceiling is sagging or water is near a light fitting, switch off power to that area and keep clear.
- Take photos for your insurer or strata manager, then call us on 1300 346 353, 24/7. Don't climb onto a wet roof.
Why roof leaks in Sydney are so hard to find
Rain rarely comes through the ceiling directly below where it gets in. It runs along tiles and metal sheets, then along sarking, battens, rafters and insulation, sometimes for several metres, before it soaks through the plaster. That is why patching the spot above the stain so often fails, and why a roof may leak only in a summer storm or a wind-driven East Coast Low.
Sydney's housing makes it harder still. Victorian and Federation terraces in the inner west and eastern suburbs often have slate or terracotta roofs, parapets and hidden box gutters, many North Shore homes have ageing terracotta tiles and valleys, and apartment blocks have flat membrane roofs and balconies over living areas. We find the exact entry point, so only the right part of the roof needs repair.
Roof leak detection services in Sydney
Tiled, slate and terracotta roofs
Cracked or slipped tiles, worn pointing, rusted valley irons and failed ridge caps. We check from inside the roof space and from above, then water test the suspect area.
Metal roofs and flashings
Worn screw washers, rusted or lifted sheets, open laps, failed flashings and leaking pipe and flue penetrations. Water can travel metres along a sheet before it drips.
Box gutters, parapets and flat roofs
Blocked or undersized box gutters, missing overflows, parapet cappings and split membranes on terraces, extensions and apartment buildings.
Balconies and decks
Failed membranes, poor falls, leaking door sills and perimeter flashings let water into the room or unit below. We map the moisture and flood test to prove the source.
Roof space inspections
We follow the water trail across sarking, rafters and insulation with thermal cameras and moisture meters, so we know where to look outside.
Drone and strata inspections
Our drone photographs roofs that are steep, fragile or too high to walk, including apartment and commercial roofs, and the report shows strata managers exactly where the problem is.
Watch: finding an intermittent roof leak
In this video from one of our Melbourne jobs, we investigate a roof that only leaked in heavy rain at a newly built home in Beaumaris, Melbourne. The ceiling was dry when we arrived, so we used thermal imaging and a controlled water test on the roof section above. We found a spreader sitting over a sheet lap and an apron flashing with only 60 mm of cover, well short of the recommended 150 mm, which let water in during heavy rain. We use the same methods on roofs across Sydney.
Watch on YouTube (5:23)
How much does roof leak detection cost in Sydney?
Covers the first hour on site, inc. GST. Most single roof leaks are found within that hour.
For extra time, if needed, such as multiple leaks, large homes or apartment and commercial roofs. We'll tell you before going past the first hour.
Thermal imaging, moisture meters, drone inspection where needed, water or dye testing, plus an insurance-ready PDF report.
How it works
- Call or book online
Call 1300 346 353, 24/7, for a free phone quote, or book online. Tell us when the leak shows up, such as heavy rain or wind from one direction. - We inspect inside and out
We check the ceiling and roof space, photograph the roof by drone and use thermal cameras and moisture meters to track the water. - We prove the entry point
We water test one section at a time until the leak shows, then mark it and explain the cause. - Report and repair
You get an insurance-ready report with photos. Your roofer, builder or strata manager can use it to fix the right spot, or ask us to quote the repair and we'll book a return visit to complete it.
Common roof leak problems in Sydney
| Sign | Likely cause | How we find it |
|---|---|---|
| Stain or drip on the ceiling after rain | Cracked tile, lifted sheet, failed flashing or a blocked valley | Roof space inspection, thermal imaging and water testing |
| Water only comes in during storms or wind-driven rain | Overflowing box gutter, wind-driven rain under tiles or flashings | Flood testing of gutters and drone inspection |
| Leak in a terrace near the party wall or parapet | Failed parapet capping, flashing or hidden box gutter | Water testing, moisture mapping and thermal imaging |
| Damp or bubbling paint under a balcony | Failed membrane, poor falls or a leaking door sill | Moisture meters and flood testing |
| Water in the top-floor unit of an apartment block | Split roof membrane, blocked outlet or failed penetration | Drone inspection, thermal imaging and flood testing |
| Water inside after a hailstorm | Cracked tiles or sheets, blocked gutters or damaged flashings | Drone inspection, thermal imaging and water testing |
| Stain that appears when it hasn't rained | A leaking pipe, hot water unit or shower, not the roof | Thermal imaging, acoustic listening and pressure testing |
Roof leaks, storms, strata and insurance
Insurers and strata managers want to know where the water got in and why, before they approve a claim or a repair. Our report shows the entry point, the cause and the damage, with photos, thermal images and moisture readings, so the right person can fix the right thing and your claim isn't held up by guesswork.
In apartment buildings, the report also helps the owners corporation decide whether the leak is from common property, such as the roof or a balcony membrane, or from inside a lot. If the leak turns out to be a pipe or shower rather than the roof, the report says so.
Homeowners, strata managers and businesses
We work for homeowners, landlords, property managers, strata managers, builders, roofers and insurance loss adjusters across Sydney. For rentals and apartments, we arrange access with tenants and residents and send the report straight to the owner, manager or insurer, so repairs can start quickly.
Related leak detection services in Sydney
Roof leak detection across Sydney
Roof leak detection FAQs
How much does roof leak detection cost in Sydney?
It starts from $398 inc. GST for the first hour on site, including thermal imaging, moisture meters, drone inspection where needed, water testing and an insurance-ready PDF report. Extra time, if needed, is $168 per hour. Most single roof leaks are found within the first hour, and we give you a free phone quote before we book.
Why is my ceiling leaking when the roof looks fine?
Water rarely drips straight below where it gets in. It can run along tiles, sheets, sarking and rafters for several metres first. A stain that shows when it hasn't rained is often a leaking pipe or shower, not the roof, so we check both.
Can you find a roof leak when it isn't raining?
Yes. We use controlled water testing to recreate the rain on one section of roof at a time, while we watch inside the roof space and the ceiling with thermal cameras and moisture meters. That is how we prove the exact entry point.
Do you work on terraces and apartment buildings?
Yes. We inspect slate and terracotta roofs, parapets and hidden box gutters on terraces, and flat membrane roofs, balconies and plant areas on apartment blocks, and send strata managers a clear report on the source and who is responsible.
Do you repair the roof as well?
Yes, if you'd like us to. Our first visit is about finding the leak: we mark it, explain the cause and give you a report. Many roofers, builders and strata managers then do their own repairs. If you want us to fix it, we'll quote the repair and return at another time to complete it, often with trusted independent trades.
Can you help after a storm or hail in Sydney?
Yes. Our emergency line runs 24/7 on 1300 346 353. We find where the water is getting in and document the damage with photos and readings, which your insurer can use to assess the claim.
Roof leaking in Sydney? We'll pinpoint it.
Free phone quote, fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST, and a 24/7 emergency line.
Trusted by builders, real estate agencies and strata managers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Australian Home & Business Owners Choose Us
I'm Oliver Schulze, the director of 1300 FINDLEAK, a family-run company committed to solving all your gas and water leak problems. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards in customer outcomes and satisfaction, ensuring reliable and professional service every time.
We’re here to help!
Not sure which service you need?
Use the enquiry button below and we will be in touch shortly or call us on 1300 346 353, and our friendly team will gladly help schedule an appointment at your convenience. We're here to make the process easy and stress-free for you!
Call 1300 346 353 - 24/7 for emergencies, office hours 7am–11pm, 7 days
Email admin@1300findleak.com.au — work orders and purchase orders welcome
Book online or submit a work order through our portal
We're a mobile service and come to your property. Our teams are based in Parkdale and Moorooduc in Victoria, Seaforth in Sydney, and Hope Island on the Gold Coast, covering Melbourne, Geelong, the Mornington Peninsula, regional Victoria, Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Casuarina, Kingscliff and Byron Bay.
1300 FINDLEAK Pty Ltd · ABN 83 640 078 397 · VIC licence 105159 · QLD licence PD26669
🔍 Find your local service area Online Enquiry
