Townsville's wet season runs roughly from November to April, and it brings the double punch of heavy rain and cyclone risk. The good news is that most storm damage is preventable with a bit of preparation and the right local trades booked in before the busy season hits.
Start with the roof and gutters
Blocked gutters and downpipes are one of the most common causes of water getting into a home during a downpour. Have gutters cleared and the roof checked for loose sheets, worn flashing and any fixings that have worked loose since last season. A roofer or handyman can usually knock this over in a single visit.
Check your drainage and yard
- Clear stormwater drains and make sure water flows away from the house.
- Have large or overhanging trees trimmed by a qualified arborist before high winds arrive.
- Secure or store loose items in the yard that could become projectiles.
Service the things you rely on
The wet season is exactly when your air conditioning works hardest, so a pre-season service helps avoid a breakdown on the hottest, most humid days. If you rely on a generator or backup power, test it now rather than in the middle of an outage. It is also a sensible time to have an electrician check surge protection.
Line up your trades early
Good roofers, plumbers, electricians and arborists get booked out quickly once the first big storm rolls through. Getting on their list before the season means you are not waiting days for help. Browse local trades in the directory and sort out your shortlist while things are quiet.