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Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui

Roofing help in Palmerston NorthBuilt for wind, and worth readying for a shake.

Palmerston North gets a higher share of strong winds than the other Manawatū-Whanganui sites NIWA compared, and it sits near several active faults. That puts roof fixings, flashings and old chimneys under more strain than in many cities. Tell us what's happening and we'll find a Palmerston North roofer who specialises in that kind of job, if we have one for your area.

Find a specialist roofer in Palmerston North

  1. Your postcode and three quick questions
  2. We match you with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in your job
  3. They call you to arrange a quote. No obligation to go ahead.
  • Find My Roofer certified: insurance, specialty and LBP status (where needed) checked
  • Your details go to one roofer, never sold

What's different about roofs in Palmerston North

Wind, mostly from the west-northwest

The city's automatic weather station records gusts over 63 km/h on about 50 days a year, and a mean wind speed of 15.1 km/h. The highest gust on record at the aerodrome is 115 km/h from the northwest, in June 1987. Wind is what lifts ridging, loosens screws on iron and peels flashings back here.

Spring, and windy afternoons

37% of the city's strong winds come in spring. Average wind speed climbs from about 12 km/h overnight to 20.6 km/h at 3 pm, which is why a roofer may want to start early and be off the ladder by early afternoon.

Ranges with a reputation

Four wind farms on the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges, 520 MW between them, sit on ranges known for some of the most consistent wind in the country. For a roof, that means fixings and flashings need to suit a windy site, so ask what wind conditions the roofer has allowed for.

Active faults nearby

Palmerston North City Council says the main earthquake risks are the Wellington Fault system and the Hikurangi subduction zone, with several active fault lines. The Natural Hazards Commission says homes built before 1970 most likely have unreinforced brick or masonry chimneys, and suggests removing the chimney or swapping the part above the roof for a lighter metal flue.

Frequent light rain, occasional floods

The city averages about 900 mm a year but 171 rain days, so roofs and spouting (gutters) are often wet without big totals. When it pours it can be serious: in July 1988 stormwater drains backed up and more than 60 houses were flooded.

Heritage listings and state houses

The District Plan lists 96 heritage buildings and objects, 36 of them also listed with Heritage New Zealand. The First Labour Government started state housing in the West End, around the Savage Crescent precinct, and in Roslyn. If your home is listed, check with the council before changing the roof.

Which jobs come up most in Palmerston North?

Wind damage: lifted ridging, loose or missing screws, and flashings bent back on the exposed sides. Our roof repairs and roof flashings pages cover the fixes.

Spouting and downpipes that can't keep up in a downpour, or have been shaken loose. Spouting in Palmerston North goes into the local detail.

Chimney removal on pre-1970 homes, often in the same visit as a repair or re-roof. Our chimneys and earthquakes guide explains the choices, and removal may need a building consent.

Re-roofs on older houses whose iron or tiles are past saving. Re-roofing covers consent, LBPs and materials.

Windy days and earthquake damage

Don't go onto the roof yourself, and never in wind: afternoon gusts here can catch a ladder or a loose sheet of iron without warning. After an earthquake or storm, look from the ground for a leaning chimney or loose bricks and keep people away from that side of the house. If water is near lights or fittings, switch the power off at the switchboard.

Where we'd start in Palmerston North

We'd get the roof checked once the spring winds have been through, then fix loose screws and flashings before the run of winter rain days. On a pre-1970 house, we'd have the chimney looked at during the same visit. And before any big job, we'd check whether the house is on the council's heritage list.

Want a roofer to take a look?

Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.

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How Find My Roofer works in Palmerston North

We're a referral service, not roofers. Give us the job and your suburb, and it goes to one checked roofer who works in Palmerston North, or we let you know straight away if nobody suitable does yet.

If your job needs a building consent, the roofer doing the restricted work must be an LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner). Our guide on checking an LBP shows you how to look them up.

Services

Roofing jobs in Palmerston North

Spouting in Palmerston NorthWind, frequent rain and backed-up stormwater: how Palmerston North spouting fails, and what to do about it.
Questions

Straight answers.

Should I remove my chimney in Palmerston North?
It's worth a serious look on an older house. The Natural Hazards Commission says the safest option for an old masonry chimney is removing it right down to floor level, or replacing the part above the roof with a lighter metal flue if you still use it. Removal may need a building consent.
Does it snow in Palmerston North?
Rarely. NIWA says Palmerston North gets snow about once every seven years. Frost is more common, at 41.4 ground frosts a year, almost all between April and October, so frosty roofs are the bigger winter hazard.
Who pays for earthquake damage to my roof?
Natural Hazards Commission cover, which comes with home insurance that includes fire cover, insures your home against earthquake damage, and your insurer usually manages the claim. Storm damage to the house itself goes to your private insurer.

Ready for a roofer to look at it in Palmerston North?

Your postcode and three quick questions. We match you with a local roofer who specialises in your job, and tell you straight away if we don't have one near you.

Related help

Helpful next

Spouting in Palmerston NorthWind, frequent rain and backed-up stormwater: how Palmerston North spouting fails, and what to do about it.Roofers in Manawatū-WhanganuiWind, floods, coastal salt and quake risk, plus how consent works with Manawatū-Whanganui councils.Chimneys, earthquakes and when to remove oneWhy old brick chimneys fall in quakes, your options, and the consent and character rules.Roof flashingsThe joins at chimneys, skylights, walls and valleys. Why flashings fail, and what a proper fix looks like.The Natural Hazards Commission and your roofWhat EQC became, what it covers for a damaged roof, the cap, the excess and how to lodge a claim.How to check a roofer is an LBPHow to look up a Licensed Building Practitioner, and when your roofing job actually needs one.

Where this information comes from

Every fact and rule on this page comes from the sources above, checked on the dates shown. How we write and check these pages.

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