Weatherproofing homes in Australia is now a priority. The severity of recent weather events brought about by climate change has produced record-breaking storms, which have damaged both living things and real estate properties.
As a result, there is an increasing emphasis on the importance of making homes weatherproof. Adding timber weatherboards in Melbourne homes, for example, can improve a house’s protection against weather elements.
Here are other things that you can do to protect your home against the changing climate:
Conduct Regular Home Maintenance
Prevention is always better. Before anything else, weatherproof your home by regularly conducting maintenance in and out of your house. Taking certain precautions can ensure proper airflow throughout your house and prevent the entry of rainwater.
First, clean your gutters, especially before the rainy season comes. Remove leaves and debris and install a wire or plastic mesh to prevent future buildup.
Make sure that your stormwater breaks drain easily by clearing any buildup as well. And to ensure that hot air stays out and cold air stays inside during the summer months, wipe and dust the vents on your air conditioner regularly.
Install Window Furnishings or Awnings
According to the Australian government’s website, heat gain inside homes can be up to 100 times higher in the summer if you have an unshaded window.
Window furnishings and awnings can help prevent hot air from getting inside your house while keeping the cold air in when you have the air conditioner on. Both things can help you save on energy and cooling costs.
For your window furnishings, you can use thick curtains or drapes, blinds, or shades. You can opt for sheer curtains in your living room to let the light in. For awnings, pick a color that matches the exterior of your house.
Reinforce Doors and Windows
Air escapes and enters through doors and windows. This makes heating and cooling systems ineffective, causing high energy costs for homeowners.
Weatherproof your house by installing reinforcements on your doors and windows. If you notice drafts or leaks, fill the gaps with sealant or caulk. For your doors, install a weatherstrip.
Repair the Roof
The roof endures a lot of weather elements throughout the year. Make sure that it has no damages. You can easily look for missing roof tiles. From inside your home, inspect your ceiling if it has water damage. Water damage might mean that a roof tile is loose or even missing.
When replacing missing roof tiles, keep an eye out for protruding nails. You might step on them and get hurt. Hire a professional if you can’t replace roof tiles by yourself.
Also, make sure that aerials are securely attached and check the chimney pots for any damage.
Incessant rain, high winds, and low temperatures can make minor issues worse inside and outside your house. Worse, they can damage the structure of your house. Always provide time for checking and maintaining your home to prevent problems that can lead to a costly fix.
Plan even before the rainy season strikes. You might not be able to perform any weatherproofing once the heavy rain starts.
