Sandstone care in North Narrabeen
North Narrabeen runs from a well-known surf break to the north shore of Narrabeen Lagoon. Its stone is mostly in house gardens, and it deals with sand, salt and damp in roughly equal measure.
- Northern Beaches Council
- Postcode 2101
North Narrabeen occupies the land between Narrabeen Lagoon and the ocean north of the lagoon entrance, reaching east to Narrabeen Head. The northern end of the long beach is known as North Narrabeen Beach, a regular venue for surfing competitions, and the North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club stands near the lagoon mouth. Ocean Street and its 1925 bridge link the suburb to Narrabeen, and the Wakehurst Parkway, opened in 1946, connects it with the ridges inland. Houses account for the large majority of recent sales, and most homes are owner-occupied. Typical stone includes sandstone retaining walls on sloping blocks, steps up from the street, garden edging and a paved outdoor area behind the house.
Three things act on North Narrabeen stone. Near the beach and on the headland side, wind lifts salt off the surf and leaves it on terraces and walls, where it crystallises as the stone dries out. Sand arrives with it and is walked across paved areas, which gradually scuffs the surface. Toward the lagoon, the issue is moisture: low-lying gardens hold water after rain, and walls and steps in shade grow algae, moss and black mould. Wet leaves from garden trees add brown tannin marks. Properties on the rise toward Narrabeen Head can catch both kinds of exposure, so the seaward and sheltered faces of a single wall may need different treatment.
Before the 2016 council merger, North Narrabeen belonged to Pittwater Council, so its heritage listings sit in the Pittwater Local Environmental Plan 2014, which Northern Beaches Council now administers. We found no heritage conservation area covering North Narrabeen. That does not rule out an individual listing, so if your home is older or you are planning restoration rather than cleaning, check the heritage schedule for your address first. Under clause 5.10, council can confirm in writing that minor works or maintenance do not need consent. Separately, local drains empty toward the lagoon and the beach, and under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act it is an offence to put anything but rain into them. We keep all run-off on site.
From Double Bay, North Narrabeen is a drive of about 45 to 55 minutes, depending on traffic through Narrabeen. Most jobs here are houses, so access is usually through a side gate or down garden stairs, and we check gate widths and where the van can park before the day. On sloping blocks we clean from the top terrace downward and bund each level so wash water does not travel to the next. Near the beach, our technicians watch the wind: an onshore breeze can lay salt and sand on stone that has just been rinsed, so sealing is held for a still, dry day. Lagoon-side gardens are given extra time to dry before any sealer goes on.
Stone care in North Narrabeen
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Frequently asked questions
Local questions from North Narrabeen homeowners.
One side of our wall faces the beach and the other faces the lagoon. Why do they look so different?
The beach side takes salt and wind-blown sand, which leaves a pale, gritty surface. The lagoon side stays damp and grows algae and mould. Each face gets its own cleaner and dwell time, and sometimes a different decision about sealing.
Is North Narrabeen covered by a heritage conservation area?
Not in the sources we checked. Before planning restoration, search your address against Schedule 5 of the Pittwater LEP 2014, or ring council's planning team.
Can you clean stone in a garden that floods after heavy rain?
Yes, once the ground has drained. We avoid working while water is pooled, because products and loosened grime would spread. Sealing waits until the stone is properly dry, which can take several fine days on low-lying blocks.
Do you work on sandstone steps that lead down to the lagoon?
Where the steps are on your land and access is safe, yes. We contain rinse water at the top of the bank and keep products well away from the water's edge.
Should we hose the salt off our beach-side paving between cleans?
Sydney Water's Water Wise Guidelines restrict hosing paths and paving except for reasons such as safety or surface contamination, though walls may be washed with a trigger-nozzle hose. For paving, regular sweeping and a periodic professional clean are the better routine.
Can you treat moss on the shady side of our driveway walls?
Yes. Moss and algae are treated with a biocide that kills them at the root, then rinsed off at low pressure. Trimming plants that shade the wall and fixing any leaking irrigation will slow the return.