What can I do now?
Small jobs make a real difference. Start with the low cost ones. They protect your home straight away, and looking after it all year round keeps it strong.
Maintain your home
Rust, rot and termites weaken your home over time. Check once a year, before the season starts in November.
Rusty roof screws
Replace them before they let go.
Battens pulling away
Look for lifting battens or nails pulling out.
Rusty straps and nails
Check where rafters meet the walls.
Rot under the floor
Replace rotten or termite damaged timber.
Verandah posts
Fix drainage. Stand posts on metal brackets.
Every year
- Tighten loose bolts and screws
- Repaint worn metal and timber
- Replace anything broken or rotten
- Clean gutters and downpipes
- Trim trees and branches near the house
- Book a builder if you find a problem
Protect your windows and doors
If a window breaks or a door blows in, wind pushes the roof
up from inside, and rain gets in too.
Windows
Fit rated storm shutters or screens.
Doors
Add drop bolts at the top and bottom.
Water getting in
Fit a low strip inside windows and sliding doors.
Garage doors
Brace older roller doors, or upgrade.
Making plywood shutters
- At least 14 mm thick
- Type 17 screws, or masonry screws for brick
- Screws at least 100 mm from the edges
- Label each one and store it dry
Keep the water out
Rain is one of the most common causes of damage, even when the roof stays on.
- Clean gutters, downpipes and drains before the season
- Ask about gutter overflows so water spills outside, not into the ceiling
- Check window and door seals
- Keep towels and plastic sheeting ready for the windward side
- Know where your water and power shut offs are
Around the yard
Anything loose can fly and break windows, yours or your neighbour’s.
- Trim branches that hang over the house, and remove dead trees
- Tie down or store outdoor furniture, bins, trampolines and toys
- Check that sheds, carports and pergolas are well fixed
- Plant trees well away from the house and power lines
- Secure water tanks and anything on the roof
Your year round calendar
Keep on top of it
Keep up regular maintenance and roof checks, and plan bigger upgrades well before the season.
Get your home ready
Do your Level 1 checks. Clean gutters. Trim trees. Check shutters fit. Review your insurance and update your home contents list.
Prepare to act
Clear the yard. Put up shutters. Fill the car and charge phones. Follow your local emergency service.
Shelter safely
Shelter in the strongest room, usually the smallest one with no windows. Stay inside until authorities say it’s safe.
Recover and build back stronger
Stay away from fallen power lines. Photograph damage before you clean up. Call your insurer. Use licensed trades for repairs, and ask about building back stronger.
This site is about making your home stronger. For emergency warnings and evacuation advice, follow the Bureau of Meteorology and your state emergency service.