Epping, from the creek up
A bluestone beginning
The original township sits on higher ground west of the Darebin Creek, and several of its older buildings are bluestone. The Catholic church is the only building that never moved off the lower, flood-prone land.
Suburban since the 1970s
Major suburban development began in the 1970s. Epping had 19,222 people in 2006, 26,346 in 2011 and 33,489 in 2021, with 81.2% of homes separate houses and 17.0% townhouses or semi-detached.
Aurora and the northern fringe
Vic Urban launched Aurora in 2006, planned for 25,000 people by 2025, with A.V. Jennings' Lyndarum between it and Epping Road. Homes there are young enough that defects may still be the builder's to sort out.
Grassfire on the urban edge
The City of Whittlesea warns that homes on the urban fringe, especially in newer developments, can sit close to grasslands and paddocks, and that grassfires start and spread fast on hot, dry, windy days.
What council says about storms
Whittlesea lists strong winds, flash flooding, large hail and lightning as storm hazards. Its advice before a storm is to clear gutters and downpipes and trim branches near the house.
The roof jobs that come up in Epping
Ridges and cracked tiles on 1970s and 80s homes. Tiled roofs from the first suburban wave are into rebedding age. See rebedding and repointing in Melbourne.
Rusted-out gutters. Original steel gutters on older homes often fail at the joints and corners first. See gutter replacement in Melbourne.
Overflowing gutters in summer storms. Usually a blockage, sometimes gutters or downpipes too small for the roof. Our guide to leaking gutters explains how to tell.
Townhouse roofs. Where one roof covers several homes, check whether an owners corporation looks after it before you book anyone.
Where we'd start in Epping
If you're on the northern edge near open land, we'd clear gutters before the fire season and cut back anything touching the roof. On an older home, get the ridges and gutters looked at together, since one roofer visit can cover both. On a new Aurora home, talk to your builder before anyone else.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.
