Sandstone care in Cromer

Cromer was known as Dee Why West until 1940, when the Cromer Country Club, which had taken over the Dee Why golf links, applied to rename it after the Norfolk seaside town. Cromer Golf Club still occupies a large part of the suburb, with the Arcus Tributary running across its fairways into Narrabeen Lagoon, which forms the north-eastern border. Cromer Park and St Matthews Farm Reserve provide playing fields, and Dee Why West Recreation Reserve, between Cromer Heights and Wakehurst Parkway, is used for bushwalking and mountain biking. Homes are mainly houses on the slopes of Cromer Heights and the flatter land toward the lagoon, with stone in walls, steps, paving and pool areas.

Cromer's stone sits between bush on the high ground and wetter land near the lagoon, and it shows both. On Cromer Heights, gardens next to the reserve collect leaves and bark, and shaded walls carry mould and lichen. Toward the lagoon and the golf course, damp air and lower ground keep paving and garden walls wet for longer, so algae and moss build up and efflorescence appears on stone drawing moisture from below. Irrigated lawns beside paving add their own damp edge. Sea salt is not a major factor this far back from the beaches. Pool areas collect leaves and turn slippery after rain, especially on the shaded side of the house.

No heritage conservation area for Cromer came up in the sources we checked. Before 2016 Cromer sat within Warringah Council, so the Warringah LEP 2011 heritage schedule is where to look if your house or wall could be a listed item, and Northern Beaches Council can confirm. Clause 5.10 of that plan generally requires consent for works to a heritage item. Most Cromer homes are freestanding, but in townhouse complexes the shared paths and walls are strata common property, and work on them needs the owners corporation's approval. Narrabeen Lagoon sits downstream of much of the suburb, which is why every litre of our wash water is caught before it can get near a drain.

Cromer is around 40 to 50 minutes' drive from Double Bay in off-peak traffic, on our estimate, using the Spit Bridge and then Pittwater Road or Wakehurst Parkway. Residential streets generally have room for our van, and blocks are less steep than on the coast, though Cromer Heights has its share of sloping gardens. Our technicians clear leaves first, protect plants and lawns, and contain wash water with bunds and a wet vacuum. On damp, low-lying paving we check moisture before sealing, because stone that never dries should not be sealed. Pool areas are covered before work begins, and we steer clear of wet weeks, since a dry spell gives sealers a better result.