How Somerville grew
Orchards first
Somerville became the main orcharding area in a district running from Tyabb to Hastings, and stayed important for fruit until the 1960s.
Estates from the late 1980s
The population went from 1,211 in 1976 to 5,587 in 1991. Estates such as Wellington Road and Highfield Way came in the late 1980s and 1990s, with newer ones further south.
Inland, and mostly houses
Somerville is 13 km east of Mornington, away from the bay. At the 2021 Census, 82.3% of occupied dwellings were separate houses.
Storms still reach it
On 7 January 2015 a storm tore the roof off Somerville's Mechanics' Hall, and the town's SES unit took 14 calls in the June 2021 storm.
What estate roofs here usually need
Ridges and cracked tiles. Tiled roofs of this age commonly need the ridge caps rebedded and repointed, and the odd broken tile swapped. See roof repairs in Melbourne.
After a storm. Look from the ground for tiles on the lawn, a ridge line that's no longer straight, or a gutter pulled away. Don't climb up to check. A roofer can do that safely and send photos.
On the newest estates. If your home is only a few years old, take a roof problem to the builder first. From 1 July 2026, Home Warranty insurance covers non-structural faults for 2 years and structural faults for 6 on work over $20,000.
Where we'd start
On a 1990s Somerville house, we'd book an inspection, fix the ridges and any cracked tiles, and keep the gutters clear. We'd only consider a full restoration if the roofer's photos show wear across the whole roof. On a brand new home, we'd ring the 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.
