Brisbane Storm
Even the savviest body corporate managers and unit owners can get caught out by Queensland’s unpredictable weather. Every year David and the Core4 team get last-minute calls from clients racing to beat an impending storm. Then there are the emergency call-outs after a thunderstorm strikes without warning!
Prevent major wind and water damage with our 4 Core Checks for minor maintenance.
- Check dying and dubious trees on and around the property – these can cause major drama during high winds.
- Check roof gutters are clear – spray some water and make sure it runs off.
- Check buildings for loose and hanging external elements – these can deteriorate further under pressure from extreme winds
- Check ground and floor drains are clear of debris – especially drains located near driveways.
Get On Top of Your Roof (And Gutters)
Most SES callouts after storms – and “SOS” calls to Core4 – are due to structural damage caused by wild winds and fallen trees.
According to David, there are a few simple fixes to help prevent wind and damage. These include making sure all roofing is properly sealed, and gutters and down pipes are clear.
“Getting up on the roof and doing a good clean out of debris is essential,” says David. “You don’t want to risk having clogged gutters, so do a quick spray with a hose and check the flow is freely running off”.
David suggests checking the state of your roof tiles. Suncorp Insurance recently revealed that after Townsville, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are the biggest Queensland hotspots for storm-related insurance claims.
Insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing issues, so make sure you fix loose tiles and replace damaged and missing tiles before rain hits.
Get The Backyard Into Gear
Don’t let your beautifully landscaped complex become a war zone during the worst of our bad weather.
Preventative maintenance is the best way for body corporate managers and unit owners to avoid trees and branches falling and causing mayhem.
Before the first seasonal showers strike, David recommends taking care of these key steps:
- Trim trees and clear out dead branches
- Check trees on neighbouring properties as well
- Secure outdoor furniture and equipment by weighting or tying it down – that banana lounge could become a projectile during strong winds.
You already know branches should never touch a building or window. But we’re all busy and it’s hard to get onto every job that needs doing.
Easier to tick off a chore than file an insurance claim though!
Keep Your Cool About The Pool
There are few things us Queenslanders love more than a barbecue by the pool in summer. But poolside calm can turn into chaos after a storm.
“We get a lot of calls after storms from body corporate managers and unit owners where there is damage to the pool area,” says David.
If hectic weather is imminent, storm‑proof the poolside area by packing and storing all loose backyard items and outdoor furniture.
Get Your House (Or Complex) In Order
Don’t wait till you get a heads-up on your Facebook feed that thunder and lightning is heading your way. What if the power goes out and you suddenly realise you don’t have a portable phone recharger?
Your Emergency Plan should cover that possibility. These plans are critical for body corporate managers who will lead the way in the event of a weather crisis.
“South East Queensland weather is unpredictable. Thunderstorms arrive suddenly and are pretty intense,” as David says. “Having an emergency plan is important and there are plenty of great resources already out there to help you think through everything you need”.
Websites like Queensland SES Stormwise, RACQ and Harden Up Queensland have planning tools and lists of what you should keep in your Emergency Kit. Take advantage of these to review your current procedures now, and stay ahead of the storms.
Let Core4 take the stress out of storm-proofing
We love the Sunshine State, and people say you need the occasional storm to really appreciate the sun. But let’s stay on the safe side of the weather!
Core4 can help you get organised for severe weather events. Contact David and the team for a friendly chat about storm-proofing solutions, along with your other 24/7 maintenance needs.