10 Point Checklist for Preparing your Roof Against Bushfires

March 8, 2014 By Russell Steel With Comments are off for this post Tagged with: ,

No one wants to believe that their home could be at risk from a bushfire. Statistic do not lie; however. While it would be hoped that such fears would never be realized, it is important to make sure you are prepared, particularly with more hot and dry weather predicted. One of the most important steps you can take to protect your home from a potential bushfire is to assess your risk and then take precautions to mitigate that risk as much as possible.

The biggest danger is to take no action at all.

To help, we have come up with a 10 Point Check-list for preparing your roof against bushfires.

Point 1: Examine your roof to determine its current condition. If there are any missing or damaged roof tiles, they should be replaced without delay.

Point 2: Check your roof as well as the gutters and down pipes to ensure everything is completely clear of leaves. Remember that all it takes is one stray ember to hit a collection of leaves on your roof or in your gutters to spell disaster. Any gaps that are present in your roof can make it easy for embers to find their way inside your home and start a fire that is not immediately visible. This can be particularly problematic in the case of the heavy winds that are commonly generated by bushfires.

Point 3: Installing steel gutter guards can help to prevent fires from starting and prove to be an important investment in the protection of your home.

Point 4: Prune any overhanging shrubs and trees near your home and roof.

Point 5: Check the attic of your home for any type of light infiltration. This could indicate the presence of a hole in your roof. Any gaps in your roof should be filled with a gap filler that is fire rated. It is also a good idea to spray your insulation with a fire retardant substance to help prevent fires from starting and spreading.

Point 6: Any roof-mounted air conditioning units should be covered with a fire retardant cover.

Point 7: If your budget will allow it, consider replacing your roof with either metal or tile roofing tiles that are less susceptible to bushfires than other materials.

Point 8: Install sprinklers on the roof of your home, ensuring that they are anchored securely in place. Otherwise, the high winds frequently generated in fire zones could blow them off your roof, meaning they will not benefit you in the event of a bushfire.

Point 9: Remember that when a bushfire strikes, it can be a frightening situation. The approaching heat and flames will be intense and the likelihood of strong gusty winds is very real. Make sure you are prepared ahead of time by having extra water hoses easily accessible so that you do not need to spend precious time searching for them.

Point 10: In the event that a bushfires comes near your property, make sure that you continuously wet the roof of your home. This will help to extinguish any embers that might happen to land on your roof.

Listen to the Authorities

While you can prepare your house as best you can, it is important to heed the advice of the authorities and listen to any recommendations that they make. They are the best people to consult with and will have the most up to date information of what the bushfire is and might do.

Thanks for reading,

Russell Steel
R.O Steel Roofing