Protect your house, valuables and loved ones from potentially destructive cyclones
November to April is cyclone season in Australia, with around 11 cyclones sweeping across coastal regions each year. In New South Wales, residents often deal with heavy rain, strong winds, and flying debris between October and March.
These weather disturbances make it imperative for homeowners to cyclone-proof their roofs. If you are not prepared, cyclones can cause extensive damage to your house, including:
- Torn or blown away roofs
- collapsed masonry walls
- broken doors and windows
- damage to ceilings
- detached gutters, fascia, and eaves
- damage due to fallen trees.
How to cyclone-proof your roof
The good news is that you can minimise these risks by taking a proactive approach to protecting your roof. The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home during a cyclone. Here are a few tips from Amazing Roof Restorations on how to ensure that your roof is safe in the middle of the fiercest of storms.
Roof position
If your roof is exposed near the coastline or ridgeline of a hill, it will generally have more wind exposure. Be mindful of overhanging trees as well, as they could cause secondary damage from strong winds.
Roof design
The shape of your roof also has an influence on how wind forces batter your home. Typically, roofing shaped like a pyramid or angled on all four sides are able to resist cyclone winds better than gabled roofs that are angled on only two sides.
Garage doors and front doors also need to be secure to stop the upward force of wind gusts from hitting your roof.
Roof materials
The survival of your roof during a cyclone often depends on how it was fixed to the house’s structure. Roofs that have been fastened by nails will easily rip out during strong winds. The best way to secure your roof is to attach the tiles or sheeting to the roof batten. Fix the battens to the roof trusses and then the trusses to the walls.
Look for signs of roof damage
Before a severe thunderstorm hits, check your roof for signs of damage. Secure loose shingles and tiles and replace broken seals along the roof valleys.
Strong winds are not the only threat to your roof during a cyclone. Water damage from a leaking roof is equally devastating – and a small gap is all it takes to turn a small leak into a disaster. It’s best to call a professional roofing contractor to carry out a thorough inspection of your roof before cyclone season.
Check for discolouration
The easiest way to spot moisture in your roof is discolouration. If you have a concrete, metal, or terracotta roof, discolouration would mean moisture build-up and a sign that the roof is leaking.
Clean your gutters
Clogged gutters are most problematic during heavy rainfall. With no way to exit, rainwater will pool on your roof and eventually leak into your home. Even after the storm has passed, that water will cause your roof to rot and encourage mould growth.
Before you compromise your roof integrity, ask a roofing service to clear your gutters of debris to ensure they are ready for severe weather. You should also firmly secure your gutters to the roof. You don’t want them falling off and breaking things on the ground during a storm.
Trim your trees
Trees provide a lovely shade when the sun is out, but overhanging branches should be trimmed before the storm season arrives.
Hire a professional roofing service to inspect your home
If you are unable to climb a ladder and check the condition of the roof yourself, then it is best to hire a roofing specialist to conduct a thorough inspection. Even if you are brave enough to go up there, it is highly unlikely that you know what to look for or have enough experience doing so.
Call a pro to do a close-up roof inspection every few years for your safety and peace of mind. If your house has been subjected to a strong storm recently, it might be a good idea to have your roof inspected even if it did survive the cyclone.
A reputable roofing company can spot leaks, discolouration, and other issues with your roof. They also have the skill and equipment to carry out the necessary repair work if needed. This way, you can rest easy knowing that your family will stay safe and dry during the next cyclone season.
Remember, there is no such thing as a cyclone-proof house. Therefore, you need to plan ahead to protect your house and reduce the likelihood of cyclone damage.
Planning for a big storm
If you live in a storm-prone area, you must get your home ready before the weather warning comes in to minimise the damage. These simple tasks can help you prepare your home for an incoming cyclone:
- Store your garden items securely.
- Clear your yard and balcony.
- Clean your gutters, downpipes, and drains.
- Trim trees and branches.
- Keep your roof in good condition.
- Check your insurance policy.
- Make an emergency plan.
- Prepare an emergency kit and Go bag.
- Keep flashlights and batteries within reach.
- Listen to the radio for weather warnings.
- Pets are important members of the family, so make sure they are safe and secure before the storm arrives.
Choose Amazing Roof Restorations for your home’s most important asset
If your roof inspection reveals severe damage, then consider getting a roof restoration. Amazing Roof Restorations specialises in complete roof restoration utilising the most advanced roofing materials.
For decades, we have been providing roofing services to residents of Newcastle, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Hunter Valley, and surrounding areas in New South Wales.
Our roofing contractors offer:
- Residential roofing
- Commercial roofing
- Roof cleaning
- Roof inspection
- Tiled and metal roof repair
- Re-roofing
- Roof painting
- Roof restoration
- Roof and gutter repairs
- Roof maintenance
- Asbestos removal
- Driveway cleaning
- Rural projects.
If you are worried that your roof might not be ready for cyclone season, get in touch with us today by calling (02) 4944 2085 or 0413 933 110. Alternatively, click here to send us an online message or email us at info@amazingroofrestoration.com.au and we will contact you back as soon as possible. Our roofing contractors will make sure that your roof is cyclone-proof and ready to withstand the forces of nature.
