A long dry spell can make a building seem wonderfully well behaved. Then Perth’s winter rain arrives and a blocked gutter or forgotten ceiling stain becomes everyone’s problem again. Getting ready before that first wet week gives you time to organise repairs without simultaneously moving stock away from a drip.
Professional roof inspections can help identify repairs before wet weather exposes them inside the building (https://prcbuildingservices.com.au/). Give the contractor any history of leaks, including locations that have stayed dry through summer. An inspection is more useful when it starts with what the people using the premises have already noticed.
Start with where the water goes
Gutters are only part of the drainage system. Outlets, downpipes and the routes carrying water away from the building all need attention. A gutter can look clear along most of its length while debris collects at an outlet. Ask for drainage to be checked as a system rather than treating visible leaf removal as the whole job.
Lysaght’s maintenance guidance includes inspecting gutters for debris, staining and signs of ponding, along with checking downpipes for free flow. Those are useful points to discuss when arranging maintenance. The appropriate access and cleaning methods should be planned by the people doing the work, especially on large roofs or near fragile rooflights.
At ground level, include external drains and grates in the maintenance discussion. Storage, delivery pallets or accumulated rubbish can obstruct routes that otherwise carried water away from the building.
Follow up on the marks indoors
Walk through the areas people can safely access inside and look for changes. Water marks, peeling finishes and damage near windows or external walls deserve recording. A stain may be old, but knowing whether it has grown helps a contractor decide what to investigate. Photograph it and note the date.
Include storerooms and less-used corners in that walk-through. They’re easy to overlook when the sales floor or workshop is busy. Where valuable stock or equipment sits beneath a known problem, discuss moving it while the roof is assessed. Covering something temporarily does not settle the question of where the water is coming from.
Make the wet-weather arrangements clear
If several businesses share the building, agree who reports defects and who arranges attendance. The person opening up in the morning should know whom to contact, and the property manager should have current details for a roofing contractor. Sorting that out during a dry afternoon is considerably less stressful than doing it after hours in the rain.
Outdoor maintenance matters too. Loose items and overhanging branches can add to storm problems. DFES advises keeping gutters clear and checking for loose roof cladding as part of property preparation. Arrange suitable contractors for work that requires specialist skills or access, rather than asking an available employee to improvise.
Once the work is completed, keep the inspection findings and repair photographs together. Note any items still awaiting attention and give them an agreed date. When the next heavy shower comes through, staff can report any new water entry against that record, making it easier to distinguish an old stain from a fresh problem.
