What Does a Roof Plumber Do?

When we install a new roof, we tend to think about what roofing material we’ll choose, and what colour we should opt for. How our roof will be plumbed is often the last thing that comes to mind. However, roof plumbing services are essential to protecting your home from water damage.

Whether it be installing roof flashing to direct water away from vulnerable points on your roof, fitting roof gutters to your roof to channel water towards downpipes, or installing water collection tanks, roof plumbing is crucial when it comes to dealing with the rain that lands on your roof, and ensuring it doesn’t cause your building damage.

In this article, we’ll look at what a roof plumber does, the importance of an effective roof plumbing system, and common challenges that arise when plumbing roofs in Australia.

What is roof plumbing?

Roof plumbing involves putting in place a system of gutters, flashings and downpipes that aid in directing water away from a building, rather than allowing it to settle in regions of the roof, where it might cause damage. 

Components of Roof Plumbing

Roof flashing

Certain areas on a roof are particularly vulnerable to water seepage. Where a roof meets a wall, skylights, chimneys, and other areas where there’s a joint or intersection are common vulnerable spots. Roof flashing is installed over these exposed points as a way of directing water away from these areas and not allowing it to enter a building.

Roof Gutters

Roof gutters sit on the edges of the roof and collect the water that drains from the roof, channelling it into the drainage system. Gutters help to ensure water doesn’t spill onto the foundation or walls of a building, or onto the landscaping. There are a range of different gutters roof plumbers work with, including OGEE Gutters, Quad Gutters, Fascia Gutters, Half Round Gutters and Box Gutters. (Read more on gutter installation and the different types of gutters here.)

Downpipes

Downpipes (or downspouts) transport the water collected in gutters to the roof drainage system, or to the ground. Again, this ensures water travels in a contained fashion, rather than spilling over the edges of gutters.

Water Collection Tanks

Commonly, roof water is directed into rainwater tanks, so that the water can be repurposed for usage around the building and garden. These tanks, external to the home, are considered a part of roof plumbing.

What does a roof plumber do?

A roof plumber handles all aspects of plumbing that relate specifically to your roof. Their responsibilities include: 

Planning Roof Drainage Systems or Interpreting Designs

A qualified roof plumber is able to design a complete roof drainage system, taking into account the features of your particular roof, including your roof’s pitch, likely weak points, and where you need water to drain. In order to do this, a roof plumber has the knowledge to correctly calculate the pitch of your roof, identify drainage issues, and understand where the water will flow under different conditions. They’re also qualified to interpret already-existing technical drawings and plans.

Roof Plumbing Installation

As well as being able to install roof sheeting, a roof plumber can install the roof plumbing that goes along with it, including roof flashings, gutters, downpipes, fascia covers and leaf guards. As part of this, they’re able to select the most appropriate roof plumbing components for the roofing you’ve chosen. As roof plumbers must complete a qualification, they’re able to comply with building codes and standards when they install roof plumbing.

Installation of Rainwater Tanks

Roof plumbers are able to install rainwater tanks in a way that maximises water retention capabilities. This ensures building owners can take full advantage of the rainwater that lands on their roof, and collect it into an appropriate tank (or tanks) for further use.

Maintenance and Repairs

Roof plumbers are qualified to diagnose common problems with roof plumbing, and either maintain, replace, or repair components of the roof plumbing system. Their skills mean they can do roof leak repairs, as well as fix broken downpipes and cracked gutters. They can also replace plumbing components that are simply worn out, or that don’t match well with the roofing they’re attached to.

Roof plumbers are trained to work on a range of different buildings, including residential homes, commercial buildings and industrial buildings.

How Does a Roof Plumber Differ From a General Plumber?

General plumbers work on the interior of a building—handling waste systems and water supply—whereas a roof plumber specialises in external drainage systems and works at height. A roof plumber will likely not be trained to do internal plumbing, and vice versa.

What qualifications should a roof plumber have?

Roof plumbers must have completed a 4-year apprenticeship, which includes completing Certificate III in Roof Plumbing (CPC32612), in order to qualify as a roof plumber in Australia. This nationally accredited qualification ensures roof plumbers perform their work in compliance with building regulations, and it removes the cowboy element. 

It’s vital to ensure your roof plumber is appropriately qualified as if they aren’t, you might run into problems with a faulty roof plumbing system, which can damage your building and lead to issues with damp and mould. You might also not be covered by insurance if your roof plumbing was not installed by a qualified roof plumber.

Always check a roof plumber’s credentials before hiring them. They should have the required licences—Certificate III in Roof Plumbing (CPC32612) and a White Card if working in the construction industry.

Note that if you choose Harley & Sons Roofing for your roof plumbing needs, you’ll always get a qualified roof plumber working on your roof!

Common Roof Plumbing Issues in Australia

Common issues we face with roof plumbing in Australia are:

• Blockages in Roof Gutters and Downpipes: Whether it be caused by leaves or other debris, these blockages can lead to water build up. The water may then overflow in places it shouldn’t, which can lead to damage to your walls or to your building’s structure. If water enters the walls, you can have issues with mould, which can be difficult to rectify.
• Corrosion and Rust: Roof plumbing can corrode or rust, especially if it’s an inappropriate choice of material for where your home is located. For example, metal roof plumbing components on homes in coastal regions will be much more prone to rust. A qualified roof plumber will be able to advise you of which materials will be the most durable in your location.
• Weather damage: Extreme heat, storms and hail can all be culprits when it comes to roof damage. There may be one-off damage, or prolonged damage over time. In either case, a roof plumber should inspect the damaged roofing components and advise whether or not they should be restored or replaced.
• Incorrect Drainage Design: If there is a fault in the design and subsequent installation of a roof drainage system, then the building will suffer. Unfortunately, this is a common issue in Australian homes, especially when a qualified roof plumber was not used.

Roof plumbing services, performed by qualified roof plumbers, are key to keeping your roof watertight and preventing damage to your property. A roof plumber will be able to design an effective roof drainage system for your building, and perform installation and restoration works. 

Need a roof drainage system overhaul? Contact Harley & Sons for roof plumbing services. We provide services including Gutter Replacement, Fascia Cover Installation and Leaf Guard Installation. We also install new Colorbond roofs and restore tiled roofs if you are wanting a complete roof renovation.. See our Roofing Services.

FAQs

Is gutter installation the same as roof plumbing?

Gutter installation is just one component of roof plumbing. Roof gutters are essential for catching and channelling water that runs off the roof into downpipes, however, there are other components of roof plumbing that are key to managing the rainwater that lands on a roof, such as flashings and downpipes.

Does roof plumbing happen during roof installation or separately?

It usually makes sense to install roof plumbing at the same time as the new roofing is installed. This ensures that the right materials are chosen, and roofing and plumbing components can be more easily adjusted to fit with each other on that first installation. It also is essential that the roof plumbing works to protect your roof as soon as possible, as otherwise the roof and building structure are left vulnerable to water damage.

In saying that, new roof plumbing can be installed on an older roof. In particular, with tiled roof restorations, roof plumbers will assess the existing plumbing and advise if new roof plumbing components that will better integrate with the restored roof are required.

How long does it take to install a roof drainage system?

It depends on the size of your roof, and how complex your roof’s design is. In most cases, installing a roof drainage system is done in tandem with the installation of a new roof, so all up, it takes between 1 and 3 days. Larger commercial projects will take more time.

Do I need to replace roof plumbing for a new roof?

It’s often a good move to replace your roof plumbing when you get a new roof installed. This is because old roof drainage systems may not integrate with contemporary roofing materials. Also, older plumbing may be worn and damaged, so it may need replacing anyway.