Collaroy Roofing Under the Escarpment

Beach in front, steep ground behind

Collaroy is squeezed between the beach and the steep rise to Collaroy Plateau, with Long Reef headland closing the southern end. That narrow strip creates two roofing problems stacked on top of each other.

In front, the salt. The beachfront and the streets immediately behind it are in the direct path of onshore wind carrying salt off the surf. Fixings are the first casualty, then cut sheet ends, then flashing laps, then the inside of gutters. The sheltered pockets under eaves and behind parapets that rain never rinses are where it concentrates most. For a house this close in, BlueScope's published exposure bands and the AS 3566 fastener classes are the documents that decide the specification — which is covered on the metal and Colorbond page.

Behind, the water. The escarpment sheds runoff down onto the flat very quickly in heavy rain. A roof here needs to get its own volume away cleanly, because the ground around it is already dealing with water from above. Undersized gutters and too few downpipes are a much bigger deal in Collaroy than they would be on a level block.

Mixed stock, mixed jobs

Beachfront unit blocks with flat and low-pitch roofs. Older brick-and-tile houses a street or two back. Substantial rebuilds with parapets and concealed box gutters. And plenty of 1970s two-storey homes on the slope. Common jobs:

• Replacing corroded fixings and flashings with coastal-rated hardware
• Membrane, parapet and box gutter work on the flat-roofed blocks
• Ridge rebedding and repointing on the older tile roofs
• Full gutter and downpipe renewal, usually including fascia on the older houses
• Written inspections and reports for strata committees and insurance claims

Free inspection

Call (02) 8000 1949 or request a quote. We also cover Narrabeen, Cromer and Dee Why. See the whole service area.