Everything on the Northern Beaches lives closer to salt air and harder weather than most of Sydney. Balconies and roofs here take more punishment, and we see membranes and flashings fail years earlier than they would twenty minutes inland.

What we see in the Northern Beaches

• Salt air and exposure. Anything facing the ocean or an open aspect corrodes and breaks down faster. We generally recommend a shorter inspection cycle for beachfront and near-beachfront properties.
• Older beach houses. A lot of the Northern Beaches housing stock is 1960s-80s and has been added to over the years — extensions, extra bathrooms, enclosed balconies — often without matching waterproofing detail.
• Balcony and deck waterproofing. Outdoor living is the whole point of living here, so balconies and decks get more use and more weather than almost anywhere else in Sydney.

Frequently asked

Does living near the beach really wear out waterproofing faster?

Yes. Salt air, UV and wind-driven rain are harder on membranes and flashings than an equivalent inland property. We take that into account in what system we recommend and how long we expect it to last.

Do you do balcony waterproofing on the Northern Beaches?

It’s one of the most common jobs we do here, given how much outdoor living space most Northern Beaches homes have.