Top eight ways to protect your home during storm season

Australia is a land of extremes, and anyone who lives on the east coast knows how extreme storm activity can be. If you have an action plan in place you can help protect your home - after all, preparation is key. Here are eight tips to help get your home prepared:

1. Clear the gutters

It’s important to have no clogging happening around your home. The moment the rain starts pouring into buckets, you don’t want to find out about blockages too late. Make sure leaves, broken branches and your kid's tennis balls aren’t blocking water from flowing freely in your gutters. Otherwise, rain may overflow into small gaps in the walls, causing significant damage to the health of your house structure. Be sure to also secure and seal your roof if you have any concerns that it may leak.

2. Clear tree branches that are too close

Having magnificent trees on your property can add a great aesthetic to your place. However, it may cause an issue if the health of the trees isn’t great. If you have trees very close to your home, have someone check if there is a possible risk of falling branches - or worse, the whole tree. If so, be sure to have at risk branches removed, reinforcement completed to prevent falling, or have the tree cut down. 

3. Seal windows and doors

Leaking windows and doors may not seem like a big problem but that soon changes when a storm hits. Puddles build up fast, so it is essential to be prepared and seal any gaps. This can be done at a very low cost and sealant can be used to quickly touch up any other places in your house, whenever you need to. This simple trick can save you time and money - and also your favourite towels from being used to soak up the puddles. 

4. Secure outdoor items

Those yearly storm season ads remind everyone to secure their outdoor items, but many people always seem to forget. You may think your table or bike can withstand the force of storm winds, but let’s not wait to find out. If you can, move the items inside your home temporarily, or tie your items down securely. You’ll be saving yourself the hassle of dealing with broken doors or windows, so don’t take the risk of leaving iitems outdoors. 

5. Reinforce the garage door

A common area that is the first to get damaged or flooded is the garage. If you can, clear out any items prone to water damage and if you really need to, reinforce your garage door to withstand heavy force. This way you’ll have an extra layer of protection for your home, keeping the inner areas more secure.

6. Check walls and ceilings for cracks, gaps & holes

Cracks, gaps and holes in buildings are the easiest points for water to seep in and cause damage. Thinking long-term as well, this can also weaken the property's value in the market. Either start sealing things yourself, or have someone come in to secure any weak areas of your home. This way you’re taking care of your building in the short and long-term.

7. Have an emergency kit

Power outages can often happen, and you never know how long they’re going to last. Having an emergency kit can come in very handy in these situations. Definitely have a torch and batteries - there’s only so long that your phone’s flashlight can work before your battery dies. Nowadays, you can also get portable power packs for mobile devices, so keep a fully charged pack ready. If you’re prone to long-term power outages also pack non-perishable food like packaged snacks and canned food. A first-aid kit is essential, in case of emergency. 

8. Review insurance policies

No one likes hearing that their insurance provider doesn’t cover them for the issue at hand. So before anything comes up, check your insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see what you are covered for; and ensure that if you are prone to storm damage, your insurance provider is helping to protect your assets.