South Yarra has been a residential address since the 1840s, when wealthy Melburnians took it up as a retreat from town. It lies 4 kilometres south-east of the CBD, postcode 3141, split between the Cities of Melbourne and Stonnington. Metro Wide Roofing covers South Yarra for gutter replacement, repointing, roof restoration, gutter cleaning, roof washing, metal roofing and paved areas. Ring 0466 477 008 and your call is returned the same business day. The inspection, in person, happens within the week.
- Postcode 3141
- Cities of Melbourne and Stonnington
- About 4 km south-east of the CBD
Mansions, tall terraces and flats from the 1920s
Three kinds of building stand out in South Yarra. The oldest are the mansions, Como House of 1847 among them. Then come the terraces: Park Street has rows of richly decorated Victorian ones, and Domain Road, Toorak Road West, Surrey Road and Darling and Caroline Streets are known for double-storey terraces of the late nineteenth century. During the 1920s and 1930s the large mansion gardens were subdivided and blocks of flats went up, and apartment building around the station continued into the 1960s and 1970s.
Each type has its own roof. Large Victorian houses and terraces commonly carry slate or corrugated iron, with tall chimneys and several valleys. Flats and houses from between the wars often have terracotta tiles on a hipped roof. Height is the common thread. A two-storey terrace puts its gutters well out of view from the footpath, so trouble goes unseen until a ceiling marks. Photos taken on the roof show you what is up there.
Services we provide in South Yarra
Gutter replacement
On a decorated Victorian facade the gutter is on show. OGEE and half-round suit South Yarra terraces. Box gutters behind the front wall are replaced in Colorbond or Zincalume, with new downpipes.
Roof repointing
Hipped terracotta roofs from the 1920s and 1930s have long ridge and hip lines. When the mortar cracks we lift the capping, re-bed it and apply flexible pointing. The tiles themselves stay as they are.
Roof restoration
Terracotta on inter-war and later houses responds well to restoration: a high-pressure clean, new bedding and pointing, replacement tiles and valley irons where needed, then the Dulux Acratex membrane in a colour that suits the street.
Gutter cleaning
Two-storey terraces hide their gutters from their owners. We clear them with a commercial vacuum and by hand, flush the downpipes and photograph each run so you can see the result.
Roof washing
Fawkner Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens are close, and roofs near big trees stay shaded and damp. We lift lichen and organic growth from tiles with a controlled clean and treat painted metal at lower pressure.
Colorbond and metal roofing
Rear wings, verandahs and garages off the lane are often roofed in old iron. We replace it with Colorbond or Zincalume and can cover a courtyard pergola in polycarbonate or fibreglass to keep the light.
Driveway pressure washing, restoration and sealing
Older houses here may have a short drive or a paved forecourt, and blocks of flats usually share a concrete driveway. We pressure wash, fill cracks, re-colour where wanted and seal.
Frequently asked questions
My South Yarra terrace has a slate roof. What can you do for it?
Tell us the roof is slate when you call, because our roof restoration service is for tiled and metal roofs. Gutter replacement, gutter cleaning and new metal roofing over rear wings and verandahs all apply to a slate-roofed house. The inspection in person shows which of those your home needs.
Does the gutter profile matter on a Victorian terrace?
On streets such as Park Street, where the terraces are richly decorated, the gutter is part of the facade. OGEE and half-round are the usual choices for houses of that age, and both come in Colorbond and Zincalume. We look at what is on the house now and quote the closest profile we install.
How quickly can a roof in South Yarra be inspected?
Call 0466 477 008. The call is returned the same business day and the inspection is booked within the week. After the visit, a written and itemised quote reaches you within two business days. The quote follows the inspection because the roof has to be seen first.
