With each new year, we celebrate the beginning of a new year and a new storm season. Over the last decade the storm season has been hitting slightly later each year, however, that only really gives us more time to prepare. Australian storms are ferocious at times and unpredictable. We rarely have the country facing the same threat at the same time either. Usually come January, Queensland is flooding and as you progress south, its hot and there are fire warnings abundant. This year is no exception. The storms we experience cause widespread damage, usually to property whether its vehicles or homes, so even though it’s a bit late, there are still steps you can take to protect your home this summer storm season.
We can’t stress this enough, every year, get your roof checked over by a roofing professional. They may find nothing, but they may find something and it’s better to catch and repair it sooner rather than later. Visual inspections throughout the year also assist in identifying problem areas or concerns around the structure of your roof. Here are a few small things you can do to prepare for this year’s storm season.
Drainage Network
When rain hits your roof, gravity pulls it towards the ground. If your drainage isn’t free and clear, this can cause the water to flow back into your roof space. In our environment this can quickly lead to a mould infestation and water damage to your walls. Both of which are costly to remediate. Check your gutters regularly, including down pipes and drains. Once you have cleaned your gutters it’s a good idea to get the hose and see if the water can flow freely through the network of pipes to the drain.
Loose Items
Whether its winds or fires, leaving loose items like outdoor furniture lying around means you might lose them, or they cause damage to you or your neighbour’s property. Its always best to pack away the loose furniture and items around the outside of your house to avoid unnecessary projectiles or loss.
Trees
Trees and shrubs are a lovely addition to any yard and in a lot of areas, the trees are native and need to be left where they stand. Contact your local arborist to remove any branches that overhang your property and your energy provider if they hang near the powerlines.
Flooding
We have seen many flooding events over the decades and it’s not just from the rain, storm surge can mean the water just can’t drain fast enough and regardless of whether your property sits on a flood plain or not, you could have access to your property blocked. So, if you have a basement or area that could flood its best to move any items to a higher level in the home and invest in power point covers to protect your circuits. If your house should flood and water gets into an electrical socket, do not touch the equipment. Call a licenced electrician to make your home safe again.
Essential Supplies
Sometimes if a storm is particularly devastating, you may need to turn off essential services to your property like water, gas and electricity. Familiarise yourself with how to switch these services off and reinstate them.
Sometimes a roof cannot be restored, and your money would be better used replacing the COLORBOND® roof on your home. GT Roofing Adelaide specialises in roofing restoration, replacements, repairs and extensions and works with COLORBOND® Steel and BlueScope Steel throughout the Adelaide area and across South Australia. For an obligation free chat, please call George on 0434 640 550 or complete our contact form and we will get in touch shortly.