Until 1887 North Melbourne was the Borough of Hotham, named after Governor Charles Hotham. It lies 3 kilometres north-west of the CBD in the City of Melbourne, and the postcode is 3051. Metro Wide Roofing covers North Melbourne for roof restoration, gutter replacement, metal roofing, gutter cleaning, repointing, roof washing and paved surfaces. To begin, call 0466 477 008. Someone returns the call the same business day, and the roof is inspected in person within the week.
- Postcode 3051
- City of Melbourne
- About 3 km north-west of the CBD
Hotham's terraces and the warehouses beside them
By 1861 more than 7,000 people lived here, and by the 1880s it was a predominantly working class area with local manufacturing. The buildings reflected that: Victorian terrace houses, warehouses and some low-rise flats, with pockets of middle class housing in wider tree-lined streets such as Dryburgh, Chapman and Brougham. A few terraces are in the ornate Boom Style, like Auburn of 1879 on Peel Street. Iron and slate are the usual roofs on houses of this age.
North Melbourne was slower to gentrify than other inner suburbs, because established families held on to their homes for decades. A house that has stayed in one family can still have very old iron, gutters patched many times over and tired flashings around the chimneys. Many old factories and warehouses were converted to loft-style apartments in the 1990s, and those roofs are now about thirty years into their second life.
Services we provide in North Melbourne
Roof restoration
A roof that has been left alone for decades is not always past saving. Sound metal and tiled roofs are cleaned, given new valleys or ridge work as needed, primed and coated twice with Dulux Acratex.
Gutter replacement
Old gutters that have been patched many times are better replaced. We fit Colorbond or Zincalume, in OGEE or half-round for Victorian fronts and box gutters between terraces, with new downpipes.
Colorbond and metal roofing
When corrugated iron has rusted through, we re-roof in Colorbond or Zincalume. Matt and Classic finishes are among the choices, and insulation and sarking can be added to a house that never had them.
Gutter cleaning
The wider streets are tree-lined, and their leaves reach the gutters. We vacuum, clear by hand, flush the downpipes and send a photo report. Single and two-storey homes are covered.
Roof repointing
Later houses and re-roofed terraces may have terracotta or concrete tiles. If mortar is dropping from the ridges, we re-bed and repoint the capping with flexible pointing. It does not apply to iron roofs.
Roof washing
Grime from Flemington Road and the freeway settles on nearby roofs. Painted metal is washed at lower pressure and tiles under controlled pressure, which also shows up any rust or cracked capping.
Driveway pressure washing, restoration and sealing
Many terraces in North Melbourne have a lane at the back in place of a driveway. The concrete apron there, the courtyard and the front path can be pressure washed, crack filled and sealed.
Frequently asked questions
The roof on our North Melbourne terrace has not been touched in decades. Where do we start?
With an inspection in person. We look at the sheets or tiles, the gutters, the valleys and the flashings around chimneys, and photograph what we find. The written quote that follows is itemised, so you can see what each part of the roof involves before you agree to any of it.
Do converted warehouse apartments need roof maintenance?
Yes. Many old factories and warehouses in North Melbourne were converted to apartments in the 1990s, so those roofs and box gutters have had about thirty years of service since. Metal roofs can be washed at lower pressure and restored if sound, and long box gutters should be kept clear.
Is repointing relevant to an iron roof?
No. Repointing means re-bedding ridge and hip capping on tiled roofs and sealing it with flexible pointing. An iron or Colorbond roof has metal ridge capping, so there is no mortar to renew. For metal roofs the usual services are washing, restoration or a re-roof.
