Here are tips to prepare your home for storms now that summer is on our doorstep. Maintaining your home can help protect it when hazardous wet weather approaches.
Summer is the season for storms. Supercell storms seem to be more common of late, causing significant damage to homes.
Preparation is the best form of prevention to ensure your house stands against strong winds, heavy rain, hail and wind-swept debris.
Here are 10 ways to prepare your home for storms. Maintaining the external structure and having a plan in place with an emergency kit will ensure your home is in the best position possible to withstand intense storms.
1. Prune the gardens, remove trees and overhanging branches
Tree branches which hang over your gutters or drape over the roof can be hazardous should they snap during a storm. They can impact the structure of your roof causing it to cave in, allowing rain to damage the internals of your home.
To prevent branches impacting your roof, prune them back.
Look for unstable trees around your property and get branches trimmed. Some trees are protected by council so check before you start cutting it down.
2. Clean your gutters and down pipes
Once you’ve pruned the tree branches, you will most likely have leaf debris in the gutters. Be sure to clear the gutters to prevent the debris travelling to your down pipes causing a blockage.
Use a hose to test every downpipe to ensure it’s clear. Also check the storm water drains around your home and inspect them for dirt blockages.
The gutters, downpipes and drains need to be free flowing to ensure they are ready to remove heavy rainwater when the storm hits. If they are blocked, the water can overflow through the gutters, under the eaves, causing ceiling damage inside your home.
3. Book a roof inspection
When was the last time you had someone visually inspect your roof? Broken tiles and rusted flashings should be replaced to prevent an entrance of water into your home. Book a licensed roof plumber to inspect your roof and fix any potential issues which could turn into a big problem during a storm.
4. Secure outdoor furniture
Most Australians will make use of the outdoors during summer. Outdoor contents like lounges, planters and the BBQ need to be secured under the roof or within a shed. Wind and rain can cause damage to unsecured contents. It can also turn these items into missiles should they become airborne.
5. Locate where to turn off power, water and gas to your property
Depending on the severity of the storm, you may need to isolate the services like water, gas or power. Know where to turn these utilities off before a storm hits.
6. Have an emergency kit and plan
Every household should have an emergency kit. It should be a container which includes:
- Enough water for 3 days for every member in your household
- First Aid Kit
- Battery powered Radio
- Torch or lamp with spare batteries
- Important documents
- Spare Clothes
- Batteries
- Non-perishable food items
- Insect repellant
- Power charger for phone
An emergency plan should be well thought out in advance to a natural event.
If you have to leave your property, where will you go? Who do you need to alert if you need to evacuate? Are the numbers ready in your phone so you can make the calls if needed?
7. Have an emergency repair kit
Having an emergency repair kit should the unpredictable happen can prevent further damage to the inside of your home.
An emergency repair kit should have tarps, duct tape, plaster knife, sandbags, battery operated lights, hammer and rope.
Emergency repairs should not be conducted unless it is safe to do so. Having these items ready ensures you can temporarily protect your home. They can assist also SES or emergency first response.
8. Organise to receive weather safety alerts
Set up weather alerts to your phone and email to keep informed of storms heading your way.
Listen to the radio for any breaking news alerts.
Sometimes checking the sky activity near your home is all the alert you need to prepare for a storm.
9. Have mobile phone charged with backup chargers
Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged before a storm in case you need to call for help in an emergency. Don’t use your mobile phone during a storm. Keep a fully charged charger to charge your mobile phone should the power go out.
10. Have home and contents insurance in place
Home and contents insurance can give peace of mind should your property get damaged during a storm. Storms account for one of the highest claim incidents in QLD.
Check that your home and contents insurance is up-to-date. Read the PDS to understand what is covered under storm damage.
Preparing your home for storm season doesn’t guarantee it won’t be affected. Storms can be unpredictable, but following these steps will ensure your house is more prepared when the heavy downpour hits.
The information is intended to be of a general nature only. I do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own decisions and enquiries. Always follow local authorities’ guidelines and directions during an emergency.
