Another wet weekend across NSW has reminded plenty of us just how storm-proof (or not) our homes really are. The recent Sydney storms caused tens of millions of dollars worth of damage to homes across the state, and NSW tradies are busy keeping up with the demand for storm-related repair work. The number of jobs posted to hipages, Australia’s number one place for hiring a trusted tradie, in storm-related categories (eg. roof repairs, 24/7 emergency electricians, etc.) more than tripled during the weekend of 18 – 19 February in comparison to the weekend before.
Glenn Davidson from hipages and Complete Maintenance & Property Repairs was called to jobs all over Sydney, mostly for repair jobs to damaged and leaking roofs from the rain and hail. Before the next storm season, there are three important measures homeowners should take to storm proof their homes. Remember – the best time to take precautions is long before a storm arrives.
3 checks you need to do to protect your home before a storm
1. Check your gutters – During the recent storms, hipages saw a 250% increase in requests for gutter cleaning jobs. It’s very important to keep all your downpipes and gutters clear of blockages as these can have a knock on effect of water overflowing into the eaves of roofing, which can be a costly problem to deal with. Your drains should be checked on a regular basis, not only for debris blocking the inside of the drain, but also for obstructions such as ornaments, outdoor furniture, pot plants or children’s toys. This needs to be done to allow water to flow away freely from your property and therefore not into your home! Have a professional gutter repair service clean and check your guttering at least once a year before storm season and you won’t end up paying far more for repairs to your house or electrical system.
2. Check the trees around your home – Large branches and trees around your home can cause significant damage during a violent storm. As a precaution it’s best to trim back branches that are close to your property and remove any trees that pose a danger to avoid costly damage. Because of the nature of the work, you should consider hiring a professionally qualified tree feller. They will be able to assist with local council guidelines on what trees and branches can and can’t be trimmed or chopped down.
Image source – Treemaster
3. Check your fence – Fence damage is a commonly claimed insurance item when storms hit. Avoid becoming another insurance statistic; check and secure your fences or get an expert to do it for you! Common issues to look for are unstable bases, damaged slats and loose and/or damaged screws and hinges.
Image source: Daily Mail
