Spring is Get Ready time – usually
Having clear gutters and downpipes is probably the most important way to prepare for rain or bushfire.
Around about this time each year I help the RFS with their “Get Ready” Campaign to raise awareness of the bushfire season.
While the campaign will still go ahead, it’s unlikely that we will be having a bad bushfire season and more likely we’re in for another wet summer. I know, I know – I’m just as depressed about that as you are! It’s a real downer if you’re planning on going camping.
That’s not to say we don’t have things to do around the house to prepare for a wet summer and, in fact, many of these tasks are similar to those for preparing for bushfire season. Step 2 in the Get Ready Campaign outlines things you can do to make your home more bushfire resilient. One of the most important tips is to clear out the gutters.
I’ve been up on our roof on an almost monthly basis this year. We live under the canopy of many trees, but you’d be surprised how quickly your gutters can fill up with leaf and bark litter. I’ve found all sorts of living creatures up there as well. How a huge centipede found its way up and into my gutters is a mystery – failed kookaburra strike?
Having clear gutters and downpipes is probably the most important way to prepare for rain or bushfire. It also gives you a chance to assess the condition of your roof. Checking ridge lines, antenna connections, valley gutters, flashings and skylights are all important as well. When you think about it, the roof is your first and best defence against the elements. Maintaining it is the most important regular task one can do to upkeep a house. But it’s also one of the most dangerous, so please be ladder/roof safe and if you don’t feel comfortable, check out the local directory of this magazine for a competent tradesperson who can do the job for you!
The other items on the list are all pretty straightforward. “Spring cleaning” tasks, such as trimming plants near the house, removing flammable items outside of the house and mowing. All these also allow for good ventilation around the house’s external envelope, which helps to reduce the chance of mould.
One thing we’ve been slowly integrating into our landscaping is river rock mulch around the house’s perimeter. During the East Coast Lows, our gutters overflowed, turning soil into swamp. Putting down non-flammable stone or pebble mulch around the edges of the house not only reduces water retention but also creates a good base for ember protection in the event of a bushfire.
As an architect, I used to hand over large folders to clients, full of maintenance details for new homes. This practice has slowly disappeared. The assumption is this information is just a google away. Cars still come with a bible-sized manual – why don’t our homes? If we think about how much we service our cars to keep them roadworthy, we should be spending the same (if not more) time and energy on the upkeep of our homes. So, with a 50/50 chance of another La Niña looming, time to grab the ladder and garden tools, get out there and show “emoh ruo” a bit of TLC.
In 2022 Get Ready Weekend will be held on September 17 and 18.
Find ‘Get Ready’ info at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
