# Tin roof repair: fix it, restore it or replace it?

> Most old tin roofs can be repaired for $350 to $1,500. When a metal roof restoration beats repairs, when only a new roof will do, and what each costs in 2026.

Canonical: https://rnrroofrestorations.com.au/blog/tin-roof-repair
Last updated: 2026-11-02

**Most old tin roofs can be repaired.** Rusty screws, a lifted sheet, a worn flashing or a leak in one spot are repair jobs, commonly $350 to $1,500 on our published guide. When rust spots and chalky paint cover the whole roof but the sheets are still firm, a metal roof restoration fixes everything at once for about $5,000 to $12,000. You only need a new roof when rust has eaten holes through the sheets across much of the roof, or the battens underneath have failed. That costs about $17,000 to $28,000 on a 200 m² home in 2026 (Yakka Labour, 1 October 2026).

It usually starts with a bucket. One stormy night there's a drip on the laundry floor, then a brown ring on the ceiling, and you go outside and look up properly for the first time in years. Orange streaks under every screw. Paint gone pale and powdery. A sheet near the gutter that rattles when the wind gets up. And the question in your head is the expensive one: is this a few hundred dollars, or is this the whole roof?

We're R&R Restorations, owner-operated by Alex Rowe, and we repair and restore tin and Colorbond roofs across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Logan, and the Tweed and Northern Rivers. We don't sell re-roofs. That matters for you, because we've got no reason to talk you into a new roof, and we'll tell you straight when yours is past saving.

Rodney had an old rusty roof too. His Google review, 22 April 2024 (spelling tidied):

> "Alex from R&R Restorations … gave me the best price of all the quotes, he turned up on time and did an awesome job, turned my old rusty roof to look brand new. Thanks Alex, will definitely be recommending you."

## In summary

- **Repair it** when the fault is in one place: failed screws, a lifted sheet, a worn flashing or one leak. Commonly $350 to $1,500.
- **Restore it** when the same wear is everywhere but the steel is still firm: rust around the screws and laps, a chalky finish, tired fixings. A metal roof restoration is about $5,000 to $12,000.
- **Replace it** when there are holes through the sheets across much of the roof, sheets that flake or sag, or rotten battens. About $85 to $140 per m² (Yakka Labour, October 2026).
- **Don't climb up and patch it.** Old rusty sheets can give way underfoot, and sealant over rust hides the problem rather than fixing it.
- **Send photos from the ground first.** Four photos give us a good idea which of the three jobs your roof needs.

## What is a "tin roof", and does it change the repair?

A "tin roof" is almost never tin. It's the everyday name for corrugated steel roofing, and on an older Queensland home it usually means galvanised iron: steel coated in zinc, left unpainted or painted over the years. Newer roofs are Zincalume (a zinc and aluminium coating with a silvery look) or Colorbond (factory-painted steel). Lysaght's corrugated sheet is sold as Custom Orb, which is why you'll hear "corrugated iron", "Custom Orb" and "tin" used for the same wavy roof.

The type matters for the repair because each one rusts differently and needs its own preparation before it's painted. Galvanised iron was the standard metal roof until Zincalume arrived in 1976 (Sykes Roofing), so a tin roof on a Queenslander or a post-war home is often the oldest roof in the street. It's also the one most likely to have rust working at the screws, laps and gutter line.

One look-alike to rule out first: grey, chunky corrugated sheets with no metal shine may be fibro, and older fibro can contain asbestos. That isn't a tin roof repair at all. Have it tested before anyone touches it.

## Can an old tin roof be repaired?

Yes, if the steel is still sound. Most tin roof leaks and rattles come from the parts that wear out first: the screws and their rubber washers, the flashings, and sheets that have lifted. Fix those and a roof with plenty of life in its sheets keeps the rain out again.

Here's what each common fault usually needs, and what it usually costs:

| What you notice | What's usually wrong | The fix | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A drip or stain under one spot | A failed screw or perished washer above it | Replace the failed screws | $350 to $1,500 (focused repair) |
| Rusty screw heads in rows across the roof | Fixings and washers past their life | Replace failed and rusted screws across the roof | Part of a metal roof restoration, $5,000 to $12,000 |
| A sheet that rattles or lifts in the wind | Loose or failed fixings | Refix the sheet, after checking the screws can still grip | $350 to $1,500 (focused repair) |
| A leak beside a wall, chimney or pipe in heavy rain | A worn or lifted flashing | Repair the flashing | $350 to $1,500; wider repairs $1,500 to $6,000 |
| Orange spots and streaks, steel still solid | Surface rust at screws, laps and cut edges | Treat the rust, then prime and recoat | Part of a metal roof restoration, $5,000 to $12,000 |
| Faded, chalky or peeling paint | The finish has worn out | Clean, prime and recoat in your colour | Part of a metal roof restoration, $5,000 to $12,000 |
| Holes through a few sheets in one area | Those sheets have rusted through | Replace those sheets. That's a roofer's job, and a sound roof around them can still be restored | Quoted by the roofer |
| Holes across much of the roof, sagging sheets, soft battens | The steel or the frame has failed | A new roof | About $85 to $140 per m² (Yakka Labour) |

Prices for repairs and roof restoration are from our published cost guide and confirmed after we've assessed the roof. Replacement prices are Yakka Labour's, published 1 October 2026.

Screws are the least expensive fix, and they're easy to get wrong. If yours are rusty or standing proud, here's [when metal roof screws need replacing and what the right ones look like](/blog/metal-roof-screws).

## Can you patch a hole in a tin roof yourself?

You can buy patch kits and roof sealant, and the videos make it look like a ten-minute job. On an old tin roof it's the wrong fix and a real risk. A patch or a blob of silicone over rust traps moisture against the steel, and the hole keeps growing underneath where nobody can see it.

The bigger problem is getting up there. WorkSafe Queensland lists unsecured sheets, corroded metal and damaged fasteners as fragile-roof hazards, the kind that give way under a person's weight ([WorkSafe Queensland incident alert, 2024](https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/alerts/incident-alerts/2024/worker-injured-after-fall-through-roof)). An old rusty tin roof can tick all three.

If water's coming in right now, put a bucket under it, move anything electrical away, and keep clear of a ceiling that sags. Our guide to [metal roof leak repair](/blog/metal-roof-leak-repair) covers what to do while it's leaking and why sealant rarely holds.

## When does a tin roof need a roof restoration instead of repairs?

A tin roof needs a roof restoration when the wear is spread across the whole roof but the sheets are still firm. Rust around most of the screws and laps, a finish gone chalky on every face, fixings tired everywhere: patching one spot at a time moves the leak somewhere else and leaves the roof looking old.

A metal roof restoration deals with all of it in one job:

1. We clean the whole roof, with the method matched to the roof's material and its condition, so every fault shows.
2. We check every sheet, screw and flashing.
3. We treat the rust, replace failed and rusted screws, refix lifted sheets and repair worn flashings.
4. We prime and recoat the roof in the colour you choose.

The order is the whole point. The repairs come before the paint, because a coating over a failed screw or untreated rust only hides the leak for a while. Old galvanised iron also needs different preparation and primer to Colorbond or Zincalume (BlueScope, technical bulletin TB-2), so the person quoting should know which one you've got before they price the paint.

Our published guide puts most metal and Colorbond roof restorations at $5,000 to $12,000, depending on how much preparation and rust treatment the roof needs. Done before rust gets through the sheets, it adds years to the roof for far less than replacing it. See exactly what's included in our [metal and Colorbond roof restoration service](/services/metal-roof-restoration-gold-coast).

## When is replacing a tin roof the only answer?

Replace a tin roof when the steel itself has failed: rust holes through the sheets across much of the roof, sheets so thin they flake in layers or sag between battens, or battens that have rotted so the screws won't hold. Leaks that keep turning up in new places after repairs point the same way (Yakka Labour). Paint can't put steel back.

Replacing an old metal roof with new Colorbond costs about $85 to $140 per m², or $17,000 to $28,000 on a typical 200 m² home (Yakka Labour, 1 October 2026). Yakka's Queensland example is close to home: a high-set Queenslander in Ipswich with 180 m² of original galvanised iron, replaced with Colorbond for $22,200 including GST, $3,000 of it for scaffold and edge protection.

If only a few sheets have gone, replacing just those can be a sensible middle path. Keep the Queensland rule in mind: a building approval is needed when more than 20% of the existing roof area is replaced (Certified Roofing, citing a QBCC clarification from October 2017).

Our guide to [metal roof replacement or roof restoration](/blog/metal-roof-replacement) covers the signs to check, and [whether to restore or replace your roof](/blog/restore-or-replace-roof) sets the full costs side by side, including the insurance and Queensland rules that add to a re-roof bill.

## How much does tin roof repair cost in 2026?

Tin roof repair costs $350 to $1,500 for a focused job such as replacing failed screws or refixing a few sheets, and $1,500 to $6,000 for wider repairs or hard access, on our published guide. A full metal roof restoration is $5,000 to $12,000. A new metal roof costs two to three times that.

| Job | Typical 2026 price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Focused tin roof repair (screws, a few sheets, one flashing) | $350 to $1,500 | R&R Restorations published cost guide |
| Wider repairs or difficult access | $1,500 to $6,000 | R&R Restorations published cost guide |
| Metal roof restoration (clean, rust treatment, screws, sheets, flashings, prime and recoat) | $5,000 to $12,000 | R&R Restorations published cost guide |
| New metal roof, old metal to Colorbond | $85 to $140 per m², about $17,000 to $28,000 for 200 m² | Yakka Labour, 1 October 2026 |
| Scaffold on a two-storey re-roof | Add $3,000 to $8,000 | Yakka Labour, 1 October 2026 |

Roof size, pitch, height, access and how far the rust has gone move every one of these numbers, which is why we quote after we've seen your roof, with each repair listed separately. Our [roof restoration cost guide](/blog/roof-restoration-cost) breaks the price down further.

## What photos should you send before getting a tin roof quote?

Four photos taken from the ground give us a good idea whether your tin roof needs a repair, a roof restoration or a roofer. Use your phone's zoom from the footpath, the yard or a neighbour's driveway, and stay off the roof.

1. **The whole roof from the street.** It shows the finish, the colour and any sheets sitting out of line.
2. **The bottom ends of the sheets, just above the gutter.** Water and leaf litter sit here, so rust starts here. We're looking for orange staining versus actual holes.
3. **A row of screws, zoomed in.** Rusty heads, missing washers and screws standing proud tell us whether the fixings have had it.
4. **The ceiling stain inside, with something for scale.** Its position helps us trace the leak, which often starts metres away along the sheet.

Add your suburb, roughly when the house was built, and whether the leak started in a storm or has been creeping up for a while. That helps us tell you which way it's likely heading before we arrange a visit.

## Is R&R Restorations right for you?

We're right for you if you've got an old tin, corrugated iron, Zincalume or Colorbond roof that's rusty, leaking at the screws or faded, the sheets are still firm, and you'd rather fix it than pay for a new one. We're not the right call if the roof needs replacing.

**We're a good fit if:**

- your home is on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane or Logan, or in the Tweed and Northern Rivers;
- you've got a leak, a rattle or rusty screws and want the cause fixed, not painted over;
- the whole roof looks tired and you want it watertight and looking new again for a fraction of a re-roof;
- you've been quoted for a new roof and want an honest second opinion first;
- you want to deal with the owner and get an itemised quote you can compare line by line.

**We're not the right fit if:**

- rust has gone through the sheets across most of the roof, or the battens have failed. That's a re-roofer's job, and we'll say so;
- you need new sheets or a different profile. We restore and repair existing metal roofs; we don't install new ones;
- your roof turns out to be fibro that may contain asbestos. Have it tested and use a licensed asbestos contractor;
- you want a quick spray over rust without the repairs underneath. We fix what's failing before any paint goes on;
- your home is outside our service area.

Our customers rate us 5.0 from 10 Google reviews. Dylan, 21 October 2026: "Alex and the team have completed over five roof restorations for me, and the quality of their work has been excellent every time." We hold QBCC Licence No. 15404087.

Pick R&R if you want your tin roof dry and looking sharp again, so you can stop watching the ceiling every time it rains and keep the money a new roof would cost.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does a tin roof last?

Steel roofs commonly last 30 to 50 years (Yakka Labour, 1 October 2026). Salt air, overhanging trees and maintenance move that more than age does. Catch the rust while it's on the surface and a roof restoration keeps the roof going; leave it until it's through the sheets and you're replacing it.

### Can you paint an old tin roof?

Yes, once it's prepared properly: cleaned, rust treated, failed screws replaced and primed to suit galvanised iron. Paint over untreated rust lifts, and the rust keeps spreading underneath.

### Why does my tin roof rattle in the wind?

A rattle or a bang in the wind usually means a sheet's fixings have loosened or failed. It's worth fixing early: a loose sheet lets wind-driven rain in, and in a storm it can lift. Refixing a few sheets is a focused repair, commonly $350 to $1,500.

### Can you replace just one sheet of a tin roof?

Often, yes. A sheet that has rusted through in one spot can be replaced by a roofer, and the rest of a sound roof can stay. In Queensland, replacing more than 20% of the roof area needs a building approval (Certified Roofing, citing the QBCC).

### Does home insurance cover a rusty tin roof?

Generally not. Insurers usually cover sudden damage from storms, hail or fallen trees, not rust, wear or age (Yakka Labour, 1 October 2026). If a storm has lifted sheets, check your policy and contact your insurer before arranging work you expect them to pay for.

### Is a tin roof near the beach harder to repair?

It needs attention sooner. Salt air speeds up rust, especially where rain doesn't wash the roof clean, like the laps between sheets and any slope sheltered by a tree or a higher wall. Coastal tin roofs get the most from early rust treatment and recoating.

## Find out what your tin roof needs

Send us your suburb, your roof type and a few photos taken safely from the ground. We'll tell you straight whether it's a repair, a metal roof restoration or a job for a re-roofer, and if it can be saved, you'll get an itemised quote.

[Get a quote for your metal roof restoration](/services/metal-roof-restoration-gold-coast#quote), or call us on 0422 630 075.

## Sources

- R&R Restorations, metal and Colorbond roof restoration service page, roof repairs page, cost guide and Google reviews, [rnrroofrestorations.com.au](https://rnrroofrestorations.com.au/), read 2 November 2026.
- Yakka Labour, [How much does a roof replacement cost in Australia? (2026)](https://yakkalabour.com.au/cost-guides/roof-replacement-cost/), published 1 October 2026: re-roof prices per m², the Ipswich Queenslander example, scaffold costs, roof life, replacement signs and insurance.
- WorkSafe Queensland, [Worker injured after fall through roof](https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/alerts/incident-alerts/2024/worker-injured-after-fall-through-roof), incident alert, 2024.
- Certified Roofing, Why is a building approval required for my roof replacement?, read 27 October 2026: the 20% rule, citing a QBCC clarification from October 2017.
- Sykes Roofing, a Brisbane roofer, re-roofing page, read 2 November 2026: the history of galvanised steel and Zincalume roofing.
- BlueScope, technical bulletin TB-2, on repainting COLORBOND, ZINCALUME and galvanised steel.


## Related

- [Roof restoration advice](https://rnrroofrestorations.com.au/blog)
- [Get a roof restoration quote](https://rnrroofrestorations.com.au/contact)