When storm season rolls around in Brisbane you can guarantee that roofing, gutters, plumbing, downpipes and drains get an absolute hammering. It’s important to ensure that your home doesn’t have any plumbing issues that could potentially lead to expensive and inconvenient damage to your property.
We have put together some tips for dealing with the hectic storm season we sometimes get in Brisbane.
Leaks
It’s a good idea after a storm to go around your property and check for leaks. Any minor leaks around your home could turn into major leaks down the track, so getting them fixed up sooner rather than later is always a good idea.
Roof Leaks
After a particularly heavy storm it’s a good idea to grab a torch and a ladder and have a poke around in your roof for any leaks or water patches on your ceiling. If you suspect you may have a leak, mark that spot with a Nikko pen or some Blue Tac and come back to check on it in better weather or during the day if the storm is at night.
Remember that it’s quite likely that if there’s a patch of water on your ceiling, the leak will be further up on the roof than the spot of the leak. One of the best ways we’ve found to find leaks is to get the help of one of your mates (or kids if they’re old enough) and get them up on the roof with a hose. Get them to start in the area that you’ve identified as a potential leak area and get them to soak the area until a drip appears. This will show you the general area of the leak.
If you do find a leak you can try to repair it yourself if you’re confident with that type of DIY work, otherwise we suggest you contact us on 3351 7500 or a licensed roofer.
Check for Internal Leaks
There’s a few ways to check for internal leaks in your home and it’s worth keeping in mind that this can also include your patio area as that sometimes gets overlooked when checking for leaks.
If you’re looking inside your home run your hand over the walls looking for any sponginess or areas of mould or signs of water damage. You can also do the tap test – tap your walls lightly with something hard like a hammer handle or wooden broom handle (don’t go to town and put holes in your wall, just gently :-) and listen for a hard rap sound. If you hear a dull thunk, there’s a chance you’ve got moisture in that area of the wall.
Water Tanks
Water tanks are a great investment for any home and adds a level of self-sufficiency in this over-consumerist society. They’re great to water the garden, fill up the pool, etc but it’s also worth noting that in a significant flooding event they can get swept away or rammed into your home. If your backyard gets flooded easily or torrents of water sweep past your water tank, it might be worth thinking about an anchoring system so you don’t have 3000 KG of water tank ramming itself through your home and causing damage and chaos in an already scary flood event.
Foreign Objects in the pipes
Quite often when there’s a large amount of water going down drains and pipes it’s easy for foreign objects to get lodged into your pipes causing overflowing and possible flooding. This is usually caused by buildup in your gutters so it’s always a good idea to check and clean your gutters before storm season.
It’s also a good idea to clean up and trim any trees around your property that could potentially cause issues with guttering and drainage.
Downpipes
It’s always a good idea to go around your home and inspect your downpipes. If there’s any sign of cracking, rust or if they’re out of alignment you will want to make sure these are repaired or replaced ASAP.
Downpipes are like the arteries of your home, this is what will drain away excess water and if they’re cracked, damaged or blocked, this will cause extra load on your guttering and roof which can lead to water damage in your roof, in your walls and around your property.
These are just a few ideas to keep your house and home safe this storm season in Brisbane. And remember, if you need a plumber at any time we’re always available on 0412 634 599.