Blackburn, postcode 3130, sits in the City of Whitehorse about 16 kilometres east of the CBD. It is known for bushland: Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, the Creeklands along Gardiners Creek, and tall trees over ordinary house blocks. Metro Wide Roofing services Blackburn for roof restoration, roof washing, gutter work, repointing, metal roofing and driveways. Call 0466 477 008 and we call back the same business day, then book an inspection in person within the week.
- Postcode 3130
- City of Whitehorse
- About 16 km east of the CBD
Post-war roofs under a bushland canopy
Land near the station was subdivided in the nineteenth century, but building was slow. Most houses in Blackburn went up after the Second World War, so you will see a lot of brick and weatherboard homes with concrete or terracotta tiles that are now several decades old. At that age the tile surface has usually lost its glaze or coating, the ridge bedding has started to crumble, and valley irons can show rust. None of that is unusual. It is simply where a tiled roof of that era tends to be.
The trees are the other half of the story. The area was densely wooded before the orchards came, and the bushland parks keep a lot of that canopy. Eucalypt leaves, bark and twigs land on roofs all year, not only in autumn. Shaded tiles stay damp longer, which encourages lichen and organic growth on the south side. Gutters under gums fill quickly, and blocked downpipes push water back under the eaves.
Services we provide in Blackburn
Gutter cleaning
Gutters under gums rarely stay clear for six months. We vacuum and hand clear every run, flush each downpipe and send a photo report. In Blackburn, twice a year is the minimum, ahead of winter and ahead of bushfire season.
Roof washing
Shade keeps tiles damp, so lichen and organic growth build up faster here than on open streets. A controlled pressure clean lifts it from concrete and terracotta. Under heavy canopy, expect to wash sooner than every three years.
Roof restoration
For a post-war tiled roof that has gone chalky, restoration covers the wash, fresh bedding and flexible pointing on the ridges, new tiles and valley irons where the old ones have failed, and a Dulux Acratex membrane finish over primer.
Roof repointing
If the tiles are sound but the ridge mortar has cracked, repointing alone may be enough. We re-bed loose ridge and hip capping, then finish it with flexible pointing that moves with the roof.
Gutter replacement
Constant leaf litter holds moisture against steel, and old gutters rust from the inside. We replace them in Colorbond or Zincalume, in quad, squareline and other profiles, and can add leaf guard to slow the build-up.
Colorbond and metal roofing
Some owners swap ageing tiles for Colorbond, which sheds leaves more readily than a tiled surface. We convert tiled roofs to Colorbond, and sarking, insulation and ventilation can be added while the roof is open.
Driveway pressure washing, restoration and sealing
Leaf tannin and shade leave concrete and pavers dark and slippery. We pressure wash, fill cracks, re-colour where needed and seal the surface. You can expect that seal to last two to four years.
Frequently asked questions
How often should gutters be cleaned on a Blackburn block with big gum trees?
Twice a year is the usual rhythm, before winter and before bushfire season. Under large eucalypts that is often not enough, because gums drop leaves and bark all year. If you can see growth sprouting from the gutter line, or water spilling over in rain, book a clean sooner.
My tiled roof dates from the 1950s. Is it too old to restore?
Age alone does not rule it out. At the inspection we check whether the tiles are still sound, how the ridge capping is bedded and whether the valleys have rusted. If the tiles are structurally fine, restoration is usually possible. If not, we will say so and quote a Colorbond re-roof instead.
What happens after I call about my Blackburn home?
You get a call back the same business day, and someone comes out to inspect in person within the week. Your written, itemised quote arrives within two business days of that visit. When the job is done you get photos of the finished work and a 12-month workmanship warranty in writing.
