What Upper Hutt weather does to a roof
Rain often, wind rarely
Wallaceville records 188 days of rain a year, the most of the region's listed stations, but the lowest mean wind speed at 9.1 km/h. Roofs stay wet for longer, which suits moss, lichen and mould.
Frost and fog
Wallaceville averages 24.1 air frosts, 54.0 ground frosts and 43 days of fog a year, with 84.2% mean morning humidity. Water that gets into a cracked tile or failed seal can freeze and open it further.
Pines above Pinehaven
Pinehaven began in 1927 as a community of small baches, and its hills were planted in pine from 1928. In the December 1976 storm, slips blocked drains and streams and a state of emergency was declared.
On the fault
The Wellington Fault runs through Tōtara Park, a 1970s and 1980s family suburb, where California Drive was laid out with a wide median so houses sit at least 20 metres from it.
Snow at the top of the valley
Kaitoke averages 2.5 days of snowfall a year, and Upper Hutt had sea-level snow twice in August 2011.
The jobs that keep coming up
Moss and lichen treatment. Kill it with a suitable treatment rather than water-blasting, which can damage coatings and tiles. Our moss and lichen guide and roof cleaning in Wellington explain the options.
Spouting full of needles. Pine needles and leaf litter block outlets and hold water against the metal. Monier suggests cleaning a roof at least once a year, twice if it's tree-lined. See spouting in Wellington.
Damp roof spaces. With fog and high humidity, condensation on the underside of the roof is common. Before paying for a leak repair, check condensation or a leak.
Old chimneys. The Natural Hazards Commission says a brick or concrete chimney above the roofline on a pre-1970s house is probably unreinforced and recommends removing it or replacing the top with a metal flue.
Wind zones and hazard overlays
Upper Hutt City Council says its wind zone data is indicative only and strongly suggests an independent assessment for every site. For a new roof or a change of roofing, ask the roofer how they've set the wind zone. Plan Change 47, fully operative from 17 December 2024, also remapped the Wellington Fault and added slope and poor-ground overlays for new building.
What we'd do before an Upper Hutt winter
We'd have the moss treated and the spouting cleared in autumn, so the roof drains properly through the frosty months, and get any cracked tiles or lifted flashings fixed before the first hard frost. On a pre-1970s house we'd ask about the chimney at the same visit. If we have a checked roofer for your street, we'll pass the job on; if not, we'll tell you straight away.
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.