In the recent weeks Queenslanders have been seeing the worst of the weather, and although it’s a whole lot calmer here in Victoria, we should not let our guard down.
People who haven’t lived in Australia long enough may not know how dangerous heavy rain and strong destructive winds can be.
While we can’t control the weather, we can minimize the damage it does to our house by taking some simple, proactive measures.
Here are the main areas to check – these alone may save you quite a bit of money otherwise spent on repairs, when the storm blows over.
Roof
Check the roof for lose tiles or screws. Strong winds can blow the lose tile off and then nothing stops rain from coming in. If water enters through an opening in the roof it may destroy the ceilings and the walls.
Gutters
Check that the gutters are clean and that nothing prevents the water from draining. If the gutters or the downpipes are blocked, the water may overflow and leak down the walls, where it may encounter electrical wiring and make a big bang that could leave your entire household without power.
Walls
Make sure there are no cracks or holes in the walls and seal the ones you find, to avoid having water blown inside.
Doors
Make sure all doors are closing properly, including garage doors. If a garage door is not installed right it can collapse under a strong wind, which may blow it in and hit your car.
Outdoor equipment
All the garden furniture and tools need to be put away and secured, to avoid being damaged by the wind (even rubbish bins need to be moved somewhere to avoid being knocked down by the winds)
Trees
Old dead trees or overhanging branches need to be cut down, especially those overhanging electrical wires. When a tree is fallen by the wind it may cause damage to your house, car, carport / garage / shed, fence or other property.
Insurance
After we’ve done all we can to protect our property from stormy weather, it’s time to take care of things beyond our control – meaning insure all we’ve got. Make sure that your insurance covers the house, its contents, your car and that the cover is adequate to your situation.
