Westlake is one of the Centenary suburbs, built mostly through the 1970s and 80s, with brick homes on gently sloping streets around the lakes and parkland.
The Westlake roof
A typical Westlake home is a low-set or split-level brick house with a concrete tile roof, often a hip roof with several valleys. Valleys are where trouble starts: leaf litter collects, water backs up, and old valley irons rust through. Ridge and hip caps on roofs of this age often need rebedding.
Trees, leaves and gutters
Westlake's leafy streets and parks are part of its appeal, but they fill gutters and valleys. Overflowing gutters push water into the eaves and fascia, and blocked valleys can send water under tiles. Regular cleaning, gutter guards and, if needed, bigger gutters or extra downpipes are common, cheap fixes.
Restore or replace
Many Westlake roofs are good candidates for restoration if the tiles are sound. Where tiles are crumbling or there have been repeated leaks, converting to metal is the usual alternative. Get each option priced with the same inclusions so you can compare; see our Brisbane cost guide.
Split-level homes
Split-level homes have roof junctions at different heights, where a lower roof meets a wall. The flashing at those junctions is a frequent leak point and should be checked as part of any repair or restoration.
Solar and skylights
Lots of Westlake roofs carry solar panels and skylights added years after the house was built. Penetrations that weren't flashed properly are a common source of leaks. If you're re-roofing, allow for removal and refit of solar panels.
Westlake questions
Why does water come in near my lounge-room wall?
In split-level and hip-roofed homes, leaks often come from a wall junction or valley rather than the tiles above. A roofer should trace the entry point before quoting.
Are gutter guards worth it in Westlake?
On leafy streets they can cut cleaning and overflow, but still need occasional checks. They work best with gutters of the right size and fall.
Want a price for your roof?
Send the suburb, the roof type and what's wrong. A local QBCC-licensed roofer can then contact you to arrange an inspection and quote.