South Australians are being urged to prepare their homes for floods and winter storms. Picture: Brenton Edwards.
South Australians are being urged to check their homes for any critical maintenance jobs that need to be taken care to prevent damage in the cooler months.
The warning comes as new Allianz data reveals storm-related insurance claims for damage from rainwater, lightening and wind totalled around $6.8m during winter in SA last year.
Despite the threat of storm damage, only 26 per cent of South Australians had sought a tradesperson to inspect their roof or home’s exterior ahead of winter.
The figures were much worse on a national scale, with Allianz’s Winter Risk Report stating home and contents insurance claims totalled $204.63m in winter last year.
Only 25 per cent of more than 1000 surveyed Australians had their roofs and gutters checked for damage ahead of the cooler months, despite storm-related incidents being the number one cause of claims in winter.
Clearing gutters and downpipes is an easy maintenance job that can be carried out to prevent damage.
Cost of living pressures were a factor, with 25 per cent of those surveyed citing financial constrains as the reason they avoided winter maintenance.
BuildingPro principal consultant Andrew Mackie-Smith said just doing simple checks could help homeowners and tenants avoid issues in winter.
“After inspecting thousands of homes across Australia, I’ve learned that simple pre-winter maintenance – such as replacing old smoke alarms, clearing gutters and drains, fixing roof leaks and servicing heating systems – can help prepare your home for the colder, wetter months ahead,” he said.
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“Do the simple things early and you can avoid many unexpected emergency repairs.”
Homeowners and tenants are encouraged to clear gutters and downpipes, and consider seeking a professional to check for leaks and loose tiles to prevent pooling water.
Checking doors and windows lock properly was an important security measure, while installing motion sensors and cameras was worth considering to prevent break-ins and theft, which was more likely when it got darker earlier.
Even simple checks could help prevent damage.
Servicing appliances like heaters, checking electric blankets and portable heaters for damage, and testing smoke alarms was important to avoid fires, while keeping fire blankets and extinguishers accessible and in date was vital in case of an emergency.
Allianz Australia chief claims officer Luke Whenman said taking precautions in the lead up to and early on in winter could reduce the risk of further, more serious damage.
“Many of the incidents we see could be prevented through simple maintenance and safety checks ahead of winter, whether that’s inspecting heating appliances, clearing gutters, security-proofing homes in darker conditions, or adjusting driving habits for reduced visibility on the road,” he said.
“Taking small, proactive steps can really help reduce the likelihood of these events that can lead to bigger issues and stress.”
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