{"id":11713,"date":"2022-04-20T11:13:10","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T01:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.obrien.com.au\/?p=11713"},"modified":"2023-07-28T08:50:21","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T22:50:21","slug":"how-to-prepare-your-home-for-adverse-weather-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.obrien.com.au\/articles\/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-adverse-weather-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"How You Can Help Prepare Your Home For Adverse Weather Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The effects of La Ni\u00f1a are proving to be a challenge for Northern and Eastern parts of Australia. This weather phenomenon has resulted in heavy rainfall and an increased severity of cyclones and high winds. While these extreme weather conditions are often unavoidable, our O'Brien Plumbing experts recommend taking precautions to help avoid or minimise damage to your property. As with fire plans in case of bush fires, having a wet weather plan in place could help you in the long run. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>So, how do you help prepare your home against heavy rainfall or hail? Here are 4 potential problem areas and some simple steps you can take to help reduce the risks of water damage to your home. <\/span>
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\n<\/b>1<\/b>. <\/span>Faulty flashings and weather seals<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

If your property is not properly sealed and maintained, rain can get into the home potentially leading to mold and other problems. To help avoid this, check for loose flashings or deteriorated weather seals on the externals of the home, to prevent inconspicuous water entering and causing damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our O'Brien Plumbers recommend inspecting these areas annually to check signs of damage or decay. We recommend you engage a <\/span>local plumbing expert<\/a><\/strong> to plug these seals for long lasting effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.Gutter and Drainage System Overflow<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Gutters help to protect the foundation and walls of your home because they divert water away from your home and its foundation. <\/span>Gutters also help capture much needed rain water – if your rainwater tank is connected to your toilets, hose taps or washing machine, keeping your downpipes and gutters clean and having your pumps checked by a licensed plumber will ensure you don’t miss out on capturing as much rain water as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our O'Brien Plumbers recommend consulting a licensed, experienced professional.This may help to avoid more problems caused by water leaking into the building\u2019s foundation and roof cavities.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Damage to Roof<\/b><\/p>\n

Hail and rain can cause roof damage. Roof damage may appear as dents in metal and roof tiles or cracks on your roof tiles due to hail. If you notice any potential damage, get in touch with a licensed professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.Clogging of household plumbing<\/b>
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During rainy weather household plumbing can become clogged or damaged. Blocked drains can lead to plumbing backflow and can cause problems in the home if not dealt with quickly. <\/span>A blocked drain will usually be apparent, however, a number of signs to look out for include;<\/span><\/p>\n