# Roofing in Perth's southern suburbs URL: https://perthroofquotes.com/service-area/southern-suburbs/ Updated: 2026-10-17 > Perth's southern suburbs mix established river-side homes in Melville, older brick-and-tile homes across Canning and Gosnells, and newer estates in Cockburn, Armadale, Kwinana and Rockingham. Possible asbestos cement on older homes, salt air along the coast and industrial fallout near Kwinana all change what to ask before work starts. Each local government handles its own permit questions. South of the Swan and Canning rivers, the housing changes every few kilometres. River-side streets in Applecross, Mount Pleasant, Attadale and Bicton mix older homes with large rebuilds. Further out, suburbs such as Willetton, Thornlie and Kelmscott have many established brick-and-tile homes, while Success, Harrisdale, Baldivis and Wellard are much newer. Along the coast, Coogee, Rockingham, Safety Bay and Secret Harbour bring salt air into the picture. So the right questions depend less on the suburb name than on the age of the house, the roof material and how close it sits to the sea or the Kwinana industrial area. ## What roofs are common here? Concrete tile is widespread on brick homes across Melville, Canning, Gosnells and Cockburn. An older concrete tile roof may already carry one or more coatings from earlier restorations, and a new quote should say how that existing coating will be prepared. Homes, carports, patios and sheds built before about 1990 may have asbestos cement roofing, often called fibro. Newer estates in Cockburn, Armadale, Kwinana and Rockingham have a mix of concrete tile and pre-painted steel such as COLORBOND steel. Some older river-side homes have terracotta tiles; see [concrete vs terracotta tiles](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/concrete-vs-terracotta-roof-tiles/) for how they differ. Established suburbs also have plenty of additions, such as patio roofs, rear extensions and carports joined to the original roof, and each junction is a possible entry point for water. *Image: An older house with a weathered corrugated asbestos-cement roof covered in lichen. Roofs like this must never be pressure cleaned in WA.* ## Local conditions that affect roofs ### Asbestos cement on older homes High-pressure water cleaning of asbestos cement roofs is prohibited in WA. It breaks down the sheet surface and spreads asbestos-contaminated residue, including onto neighbouring properties, and the clean-up has to be done by a licensed removalist. If a restoration offer for an older roof includes pressure cleaning, confirm first that the roof is not asbestos cement. Our [asbestos roofs guide](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/asbestos-roofs-in-perth/) explains how it is identified. ### The coast and the sounds Coogee, Rockingham, Safety Bay, Warnbro, Port Kennedy and Secret Harbour are all exposed to salt-laden air, which corrodes steel roofing, screws, flashings and gutters faster than further inland. Manufacturers grade steel products by distance from breaking surf, but local wind and sheltered positions also matter. Parts of this coastline face the calmer waters of Cockburn Sound while others are more open, so exposure can differ between neighbouring suburbs. See our [coastal corrosion guide](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/coastal-roofs-and-salt-corrosion/). ### Industrial exposure near Kwinana BlueScope guidance treats areas prone to industrial or chemical fumes and fallout as more demanding environments for steel. Near the Kwinana industrial area, ask the contractor to confirm in writing that the proposed roofing, flashings and screws suit the site. ### Wetlands, bushland and mature trees The state's bushfire prone areas include bushfire prone vegetation plus a 100 metre buffer, so properties near wetlands, regional parks and bushland in parts of Cockburn, Gosnells and Armadale may be mapped. In established suburbs, mature trees also drop leaves into valleys and gutters, which then overflow in the first heavy winter rain. See [roof valley repairs](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-valley-repairs-perth/) for what a blocked or rusted valley looks like. ## Permits and local rules Permit and planning questions go to the City of Melville, City of Cockburn, City of Canning, City of Gosnells, City of Armadale, City of Rockingham or City of Kwinana. For larger jobs, two WA rules matter most: - **Registered builders.** Building work that needs a building permit, is valued at $20,000 or more and is in the prescribed area (which includes Perth) must be done by a registered building contractor. Check registration through the WA Government's online register or the ServiceWA app. - **Written contracts and deposits.** Home building work contracts valued between $7,500 and $500,000 must be in writing, dated and signed by both parties, and a deposit taken before work starts cannot exceed 6.5 per cent of the contract price. Changing from tiles to steel may also need a building permit; see [converting a tile roof to metal](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/converting-tile-roof-to-metal/). Our guide to [roofing contracts and your rights](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/roofing-contracts-and-your-rights-wa/) covers the contract rules. ## Common jobs and what to ask - **Tile roof restoration and painting.** Ask how existing coatings, porous tiles and broken tiles will be dealt with before any new coat. See [roof restoration](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-restoration-perth/) and [roof painting](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-painting-perth/). - **Asbestos cement roof replacement.** Ask who holds the asbestos removal licence and how the site will be cleared. See [asbestos roof replacement](https://perthroofquotes.com/asbestos-roof-replacement-perth/). - **Leaks where additions meet the original roof.** Ask whether flashings at the junction will be replaced or only resealed. See [roof leak repair](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-leak-repair-perth/). - Has the roof been identified as asbestos cement, and how does that change the method? - Will this job need a building permit, and who will apply for it? - What products suit a coastal or industrial location, and is that in writing? ## Getting a quote in the southern suburbs Request a quote from anywhere in the southern suburbs, from Applecross to Rockingham. Useful details for the [quote form](https://perthroofquotes.com/quote/) include: - whether the house has patios, extensions or carports joined to the main roof; - whether you suspect the roof or outbuildings are asbestos cement (do not disturb them to check); - whether the property is close to the coast or the Kwinana industrial area; - storeys, access limits and photos taken from the ground. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are older homes in Canning and Gosnells likely to have asbestos roofs? Some may. Homes, carports, patios and sheds built before about 1990 may have asbestos cement roofing, and only testing by a qualified person confirms it. If you are unsure, say so in your enquiry and leave the roof undisturbed. ### Does living near the Kwinana industrial area affect which roofing to choose? It can. BlueScope treats areas exposed to industrial or chemical fumes and fallout as more demanding for steel and recommends contacting it about industrial locations. Ask the contractor to confirm product suitability and any warranty conditions in writing. ### My house in Cockburn backs onto wetlands. Does that change anything for roof work? It may. Land within 100 metres of bushfire prone vegetation can be mapped as bushfire prone, so check the DFES map and ask the council whether your planned roof work triggers any bushfire requirements. ### Why does water come in where my patio or extension joins the house? The join between a newer roof and an older one usually depends on flashings and sealant, and movement, weathering or poor detailing can open a gap. Describe where the drip is in relation to the addition so the inspection starts there.