Spring cleaning goes beyond just dusting and vacuuming—it's also the perfect time of the year to conduct a thorough safety check of your home.
As the weather warms up, it is important to prepare for any significant events that could impact your property and well-being. This includes identifying potential hazards, organising necessary repairs and putting plans in place in case the worst were to happen.
There is no shortage of possible dangers that can surface during an Australian summer, but proper preparation and awareness can reduce risks. Let’s take a look at your spring safety checklist.
1. Have Your Insurance Is Up-To-Date
Before starting any maintenance or repairs this spring, the most important task is to check your home and contents insurance. Your home is an important and valuable asset, so it is wise to have it fully protected. Most of us pay our bills automatically, so it can be easy to assume that your coverage is up-to-date. The last thing you’d want to find out if a disaster struck is that your policy had lapsed. Your insurance should cover storms, bushfires and cyclones. Content insurance is a smart idea as it covers furniture, electronics, clothing, and appliances.
2. Check The Roof
Roof maintenance is often forgotten during spring maintenance but should be a priority. Start by cleaning your gutters in spring of any leaf debris as well as trimming branches or shrubs overhanging your home. Water stains on ceilings are a tell-tale sign your roof is leaking, along with mould or peeling wall paint. However, before getting out the ladder and climbing on the roof yourself, consider the safety risks. An untrained eye may also miss a cracked tile or sagging beam.
A roof inspection is best left to a professional who can evaluate its condition without putting you in any danger. An inspection typically costs between $200 to $400.
3. Be Bushfire Ready
According to the NSW Rural Fire Service, a better-prepared home has an increased chance of surviving a bushfire or ember attack. It also makes it easier for firefighters to defend as well as reducing the risks to neighbouring properties.
Spring is the ideal time to make sure that your property and belongings are properly safeguarded. Keep lawns mowed and gardens well-maintained. Clean up any fallen leaves, twigs and debris.
A long hose that can reach around your home can be a good investment. If you live close to bushland, consider attaching a fire sprinkler system to gutters. Be sure to close areas under the house and repair any gaps in external walls. In an emergency, firefighters can draw water from a pool, tank or dam. You can make it easier for them to find by putting a Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property entrance.
4. Improve Your Flood Resistance
Floods can occur at any time, most commonly triggered by excessive rain causing water levels in lakes, rivers, dams, reservoirs and canals to overflow into low-lying property. This can happen with notice and also suddenly.
Spring is a good time to think ahead and work out ways to make your home flood-resistant.
This can include landscaping, improving drainage and even elevating your home. Is it possible to create storage in an attic or somewhere higher up to store personal belongings? Work out how you would stack furniture and electrical goods in a way that keeps them organised and safe in case of a flood.
Pedestal paving and decking systems are being used more frequently in flood-prone areas.
Identify the safest and quickest route to safety from your property if a quick evacuation is required. If there is a likelihood you could become flood-impacted, check your insurance policy as not all companies cover this type of event.
5. Prepare For Extreme Heatwaves
According to the Red Cross, heatwaves and hot weather cause more deaths in Australia than any other hazard.
You don’t want to discover the air-conditioning is broken on a scorching 40-degree day. Utilise spring to properly prepare for the warm weather ahead by cleaning the filters and making sure everything is in working order. Installing low-energy ceiling fans is a cost-effective way to cool down your interior and can add value to your home when it is time to sell. Sealing gaps around windows and doors can also help to keep the heat out.
Insulation doesn’t just keep your home warm in winter, it also has the added benefit of keeping it cool in summer, particularly if you use both bulk insulation (big batts) and foil insulation (thin sheets).
Another tip for keeping your home cool in summer is to keep windows and blinds closed on hot days.
When going outside, make sure to wear a hat, use sunscreen and take water with you.
When night arrives, open your home to allow the refreshing breeze to flow through and circulate, creating a comfortable atmosphere indoors.
Planting a deciduous tree on the east and west sides of your home to help keep solar heat from direct contact with windows and roofs. Placing shrubs around air conditioning units can help to shield them from direct sunlight and also improve efficiency.
6. Protect Against Summer Storms
Severe storms can bring destructive winds, torrential rain, hail, and even flooding, all of which can cause significant damage to roofs, windows, and other parts of the home.
In this event, outdoor furniture can become dangerous projectiles.
Think about your storage options. Could you move pieces into the garage or inside during a nasty weather event? Springtime provides time to work out a strategy if this scenario were to unfold.
7. Pest Proof Your Home
Give an eviction notice this spring to any creepy crawlies that may have made their way inside your home over the cooler months.
Tell-tale signs that you may have a pest problem include insect or rodent droppings, rotted wood, spider webs, bad smells, discarded wings and sawdust piles. Also, listen for any scratching or scampering in the walls or ceilings.
It is important to be vigilant as these tiny critters, such as termites, can cause major structural damage to your home. Check for cracks in window and door seals as well as holes in fly screens that allow insects to come inside. If you suspect a problem, call in a professional who is trained in detecting and treating infestations.
8. Download Local Warning Apps
Australian homeowners can download several apps that will keep them informed about weather events and other dangers, such as bushfires and storms.
A popular one, BOM Weather, provides updates from the Bureau of Meteorology, including real-time alerts, radar maps and information on any threatening weather conditions.
Both Fires Near Me and My Fire Plan can provide crucial information for surviving a bushfire. You will find similar information online for each State and Territory:
NSW - https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/stay-up-to-date/hazards-near-me-nsw
VIC - https://em-public-web-prod-us.public.em.vic.gov.au/respond/
QLD - https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents
SA - https://www.ses.sa.gov.au/incidents-and-warnings/incidents-and-warnings-map/
WA - https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au/
ACT - https://esa.act.gov.au/
NT - https://pfes.nt.gov.au/fire-and-rescue-service/fire-incident-map
9. Backup Your Important Documents
Make sure all of your favourite photos and important documents are digitally backed up on a cloud service that will keep them protected from fire or flood.
If you have old photos, it can be worthwhile utilising any spare time in spring to have these scanned and saved.
You can also invest in a fire-safe and water-protection box from your local hardware store. These can withstand external temperatures up to 843 degrees Celsius and are waterproof even when fully submerged.
These maintenance tips can also be applied to your investment property. Keeping on top of any repairs is key to fostering a strong relationship with your tenant. It also prevents small problems from developing into something more costly. Speak with your experienced LJ Hooker property manager today who can arrange for any necessary repairs and inspections.
DISCLAIMER - The information provided is for guidance and informational purposes only and does not replace independent business, legal and financial advice which we strongly recommend. Whilst the information is considered true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided. LJ Hooker will not accept responsibility or liability for any reliance on the blog information, including but not limited to, the accuracy, currency or completeness of any information or links..
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