Living near the beach comes with a cost for buildings. Salt spray, wind-driven rain and constant moisture mean Northern Beaches homes and apartment blocks often need remedial work sooner than buildings further inland.
Why coastal buildings deteriorate faster
Salt carried in sea air settles on walls, balconies and roofs. When it reaches steel reinforcement inside concrete, it speeds up corrosion. Salt also crystallises in brick, render and sandstone as walls dry, breaking the surface apart. Add exposed elevations facing the ocean and frequent wind-driven rain, and defects develop faster.
Common remedial problems on the Northern Beaches
- Concrete cancer in balcony slab edges, beams and carparks, especially in apartment blocks from the 1960s to the 1990s.
- Leaking balconies with failed membranes, drummy tiles and water into units below.
- Corroded balustrades and fixings where steel meets salt air.
- Fretting brickwork and render on exposed walls.
- Sandstone erosion on older homes and retaining walls.
- Roof and window leaks from wind-driven rain.
Repairing coastal buildings properly
- Remove all contaminated concrete around corroded steel, not just the loose pieces.
- Use materials suited to the coast: corrosion inhibitors, quality repair mortars, marine-grade or hot-dip galvanised steel and suitable sealants.
- Fix the water path: balcony falls, membranes, drainage and flashings.
- Protect the repair with appropriate coatings to slow future salt damage.
Strata buildings
Many Northern Beaches apartment blocks are now old enough to need major remedial works. For Class 2 buildings, remedial work must be done by a DBP registered builder. Our guide to Class 2 builders and DBP registration explains what owners corporations need to know.
Remedial builders for the Northern Beaches
METCON carries out remedial work on homes and strata buildings across the Northern Beaches, from Manly and Dee Why to Newport and Palm Beach. See our remedial building services, or our Northern Beaches retaining walls page.
Frequently asked questions
Why do beachside apartments get concrete cancer?
Salt in sea air speeds up corrosion of the steel reinforcement inside concrete, especially where the concrete cover is thin or waterproofing has failed.
How often should coastal buildings be inspected?
More often than inland buildings. Annual checks of balconies, slab edges, roofs and exposed walls help catch defects early.
Do you work across the whole Northern Beaches?
Yes, from Manly, Freshwater and Dee Why through Collaroy and Narrabeen to Newport, Avalon and Palm Beach.
