1. Faded or chalky tiles

If your tiles have lost their original colour and look chalky or washed out, the surface coating has worn off. Once that happens, the tiles start absorbing water instead of shedding it. This is the single most common sign we see across the Illawarra — particularly on north and west-facing slopes that cop the most UV.

From the ground, look for tiles that look duller than they did 5–10 years ago. Run a hand across one if you can safely reach — chalky residue on your fingers means it's time.

2. Cracked or missing pointing on the ridge caps

Walk around the house and look up at the ridges (the peaks where two slopes meet). If you can see cracks in the mortar pointing, or sections that have fallen away entirely, water's getting in. This is especially common on Illawarra homes 15+ years old, and on newer estates in Shell Cove, Calderwood and Tullimbar where rigid mortar was used.

Pointing should be replaced with flexible pointing during a restoration — never rigid mortar, which cracks again within a few years on coastal roofs.

3. Moss, lichen or dark streaks

Green patches on tiles aren't just cosmetic. Moss and lichen hold moisture against the tile surface, which speeds up wear and can lift tiles over time. Dark streaks running down from the ridges are usually algae feeding on tile residue.

Sometimes a clean is enough — see our guide on roof cleaning on the Illawarra coast. But if it's been growing back for years, the underlying surface is probably compromised and you're looking at a restoration.

4. Cracked, slipped or broken tiles

A few cracked tiles are a repair job. Cracked tiles across multiple slopes, plus slipped tiles, plus broken corners, is a restoration job. Once tiles start failing in numbers, the whole batten and bedding system is usually past its useful life.

Look up after a windy day. If you can see anything obviously out of line from the ground, get a roofer up there before the next big southerly.

5. Ceiling stains or musty smells inside

Brown stains on the ceiling, peeling paint near skylights, or a damp musty smell in the top cupboards or roof cavity — these are signs water's been getting in for a while. By this point you're often past restoration alone and into repairs first, then restoration second.

Don't wait. Water damage in the ceiling becomes water damage in the timber framing, and that's a much bigger bill.

6. Your roof is 15–25 years old and untouched

Most concrete and terracotta tile roofs in the Illawarra hit their first restoration window somewhere between 15 and 25 years. If yours is in that bracket and has never had work done beyond a clean, get an inspection. Catching it before visible damage saves you thousands.

Willows Roofing offers free no-pressure inspections across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Albion Park and the wider Illawarra. Call 0436 443 898 or send the quote form and we'll come look. If you don't need a restoration yet, we'll tell you that too.