Queensland is the most natural disaster impacted state in Australia.

As one of Queensland's leading insurance repair builders, we have spent the last 21 years supporting home and business owners through recovery from heavy rain, damaging storms, floods, cyclones and fire.

Our team are expert at assessing the scope of damages and identifying how these can be exacerbated by a gap in understanding around how to maintain a property against such events.

Right now, our teams across regional and metropolitan Queensland are completing our event preparedness training. This activity draws on our best and brightest to share their experience as they mentor and support our newer team members ahead of what we expect to be another busy storm season.

We took some time to collate their best advice on how to protect your home and investments this storm season:

#1 - Valleys, Gutters and Downpipes

When valleys, gutters and downpipes are blocked by leaf debris, heavy rain will back up in those channels and force water up and under the roof line and into your ceiling cavity. Water entering your ceiling cavity can create costly damages to framing timbers, plasterboard, painting and electrical fixtures.

Clearing your gutters and downpipes can be completed from atop a secure ladder. Clearing of your rooftop valleys requires a sure-foot. Engaging a qualified handyman or specialist roofer is the way to go.

#2 - Walk your Roof

Whilst your handyman or specialist roofer is atop your roof clearing the valleys of leaf litter, ask them to complete a full walk-over of the roof checking for any areas that could allow water to get in, or tiles that are loose and could become projectiles in high winds.

Points to check:

All roof penetrations through which your solar panels or hot water system is connected through the roof sheeting or tiles. The seals (dektites) on these can perish over time and allow water to get into the ceiling cavity.

Missing or broken washers along the batten screw line.

Foot traffic or previous hail damage dents allow water to pool in those areas and over time cause rust spots and create holes in the sheeting.

Cracked or broken tiles.

#3 - Trim back trees and branches

Large overhanging branches to your roof line create the leaf debris that builds up in the valleys, gutters and downpipes and can also cause major damage if broken off in a severe storm. Large trees and abundant fauna surrounding your home can also create a significant fire risk.

Connect with a qualified arborist for some advice and support on this.

#4 - Securing outdoor furniture and equipment

Whilst storms often hit with little notice, having a plan to move pot plants and secure/tie-down furniture, trampolines and other large items that could become airborne is integral to avoiding property damage.

#5 - Make a storm season plan

With your family and your neighbours, establish the possible risks and set a plan on how you will respond.

Consider the following:

Put together an emergency kit with basic supplies

Decide on your evacuation plan and meeting point

Know how to turn off water, power and gas before leaving

Ensure your pets are chipped and tagged as they can frighten and scarper in storms

Check on your policy coverage for home, contents and car insurance

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