Just when we thought cyclone season will be over without any major disturbance this year, the winds started shifting. In February 2015, two major tropical cyclones hit Australia’s eastern coast at the same time.
Category 4 Cyclone Lam and Category 5 Cyclone Marcia wreaked havoc from the Northern Territory all the way to New South Wales, leaving behind a trail of destruction with damaged homes and other establishments. Since the cyclone season is expected to last until the end of April 2015, and with the chances of another tropical cyclone forming any time after that, it’s always best to beef up your home while the skies are clear.
1. Gutters and Downspouts
When gutters fail, your home’s foundation is at risk. The pouring of rainwater from the roof to the soil might not be an immediate concern, but after some time, it can affect the ground, saturating it and making it unstable.
Be sure the gutter is clean, secured, and intact. We recommend having it checked and restored during a general home inspection or renovation. Our products are an ideal choice, as we only use Australian-made Colorbond products engineered to handle our country’s harsh climate.
2. The Roof
Many of the destruction left behind by Cyclones Lam and Marcia include roofs peeled off due to the strong winds. This is of particular concern if you have an aging roof, as the combined effects of strong winds and pounding rain can really take its toll. Damage from hail is also another factor that affects the structure’s integrity.
Have your roof checked by one of our professionals to ensure it’s still up for the task of protecting your home. If it’s already worn or in need of a fix, our team can do it right. Be it concrete of terracotta, we can restore it to be water and weatherproof—good as new.
3. The Walls
The walls are always exposed to the elements, which mean they take the brunt of the storm. Be sure to fortify it by padding it up the next time you’re doing home improvements. We recommend using our insulated Palliside UPVC weatherboard over vinyl cladding, as the Palliside cladding is engineered to withstand the unique and extreme climatic condition of our region.
Moreover, authorities are urging everyone to work only with licensed repairers when it comes to fixing their properties. We are proud to be the only NSW-approved wholesaler-installer of insulated Palliside UPVC weatherboard for Sydney houses.
At Peter Bracey, your safety is our business. Get in touch with us today and we’ll be more than happy to help make your home safer and stronger.