Even though weather events like the recent Cyclone Alfred are a rare event in South East Queensland, storms are a fact of life, especially in summer. They can also strike at any time of year and cause major damage or injury if you’re not prepared. Read on to find some simple steps you can take to storm-proof your Greater Springfield home.
Keep your gutters clear
Keeping your gutters clear is a preventative strategy against the heavy rain that storms bring. Clogged gutters mean that the storm water hitting your roof either has nowhere to go or can’t drain fast enough. This can cause your gutters to bend or tear away from your roof as they overflow with water. This water can also potentially leak on the inside of your home, potentially rotting your fascia boards.
Regularly inspect your roof
This is another preventative measure to ensure that you don’t have any potential for leaks during heavy storm rain, such as broken tiles. Arrange for the repair or reinforcement of any vulnerable roof areas.
Regularly prune your yard trees or large shrubs
Regularly pruning trees or large shrubs is another preventative strategy to help protect your home against storm damage. Overgrown tree limbs and branches that are near or overhanging your home (or even entire trees) can snap during severe storm winds and cause damage.
Install power surge protectors
Installing power surge protectors to your Greater Springfield home is yet another storm damage prevention strategy. Lightning strikes hitting your home can cause power surges that damage valuable electrical appliances in your home.
Make sure you have enough home and contents insurance
Ensuring that your home and contents insurance covers you for extreme weather events like storms will give you peace of mind when one hits. Make sure that the amount of insurance you have is sufficient to cover the worst-case scenario of severe storm damage.
You should also consider adding flood cover if it isn’t already included in your policy. Flash flooding can be the sting in the tail of a major storm or cyclone.
Secure your outdoor items
When you see a typical South East Queensland storm brewing in Greater Springfield, make sure you secure your outdoor items (for example, by tying them down) or move them undercover or into a more protected area. Loose outdoor items such as furniture, trampolines, umbrellas or ornaments can turn into damaging or injury-causing projectiles as they become airborne during strong storm winds.
Move your car and other items undercover
Hail can cause a lot of damage to cars and other valuable items during storms. If at all possible, make sure you move your car or any other valuable items undercover into your garage or car port before a storm starts.
Shut all your windows and doors
Shut all your windows and doors before a storm hits. Make sure you keep them closed during the storm to protect you from strong winds, heavy rain and hail, and even lightning strikes that can enter a home through a window.
Be prepared to turn your power off
Unplug all non-essential electrical equipment just before a big storm hits, and consider turning off your mains power if you don’t have surge protectors installed. If you leave your power on, avoid anything that conducts electricity, including corded phones and metal doors.
The bottom line
The reality is that storms can strike at any time in South East Queensland without much warning. The best way to protect your Greater Springfield home is to be as prepared as you can by taking the simple measures we’ve outlined.
About us
If you are looking to buy, sell or rent a Greater Springfield home, or you would like your Greater Springfield rental property professionally managed, then contact our experienced local real estate team at Purple Cow.
We’d be happy to answer any real estate questions you have and provide you with advice.
