The Bureau of Meteorology’s climate outlook for October – January 2024 is officially in, and it’s looking like Australia’s south-east is set for more torrential rainfall and higher than average temperatures.
As the spring season has always been characterised by increased rainfall in Melbourne, Adelaide and regions across Tasmania, climate analysts are advising residents to prepare themselves for typical weather patterns with one exception – this is likely to be a more humid spring than we’re used to.
For homeowners, there are likely to be increased concerns of mould growth and other types of moisture damage to their properties, alongside humid interior temperatures during daylight hours.
So how can you make sure your property is prepared for spring storms and this season’s higher than average temperature forecasts?
Roof and gutter health
Readying your home for spring rainfall naturally begins with assessing the health of your roof and gutters. For many homeowners, this routine home maintenance task can rightly feel quite daunting due to elevated accident risks.
Thankfully, you can utilise roof inspectors and gutter cleaning services to ensure your home’s roof, gutters, and downpipes are cleared of any debris and potential blockages before the spring rains arrive in full force.
Staying proactive with your roof and gutter maintenance can also aid in reducing your property’s risks of accruing excess moisture damage this spring season. Cleared gutters and downpipes means rainwater won’t pool on your roof but can instead be easily diverted away from your home and towards your local waterways.
Window treatments
We know spring has arrived once the winter mists have dissipated and we feel the urge to open all our windows and aerate our home. But just because the spring breeze may be a touch warmer and less icier than winter winds, they can still carry pollen and other pollutants that have the potential to negatively affect your home’s air quality.
Thankfully, fitting your windows with fine mesh, pollen-proof fly screens can help reduce risks of pollen particles floating right through your open windows. Similarly, investing in airy window coverings like sheer curtains or sunscreen blinds can also provide an additional line of defence against air pollutants, bugs, and also harsh sunlight. The right window coverings can also filter out humid breezes, ensuring that your interiors stay cooler during high-humidity or high-UV index days.
Insulation and gap sealing
And speaking of high-UV index days, you’d be surprised by just how much external heat can enter your home through your roofing, windows, and even through your property’s exterior cladding. For properties along Australia’s south-east coast, existing insulation is likely to be designed for the region’s temperate climate and less so for unseasonal humidity. If you know your property’s insulation or even roofing materials could be in need of a more UV-resistant upgrade, then now is the time to make those changes.
And while you’re updating your insulation and cladding, the transition from winter to spring also provides the perfect opportunity for homeowners looking to address any gaps or cracks that were left untreated over the colder winter months. You can generally find these gaps or cracks by listening for wind whistling through them or even by identifying signs of water damage around your property to discover potential entryways for this moisture. Gaps and cracks are generally easy to seal with the application of gap sealants, but for window sills with excess moisture exposure, it’s wise to instead consult window replacement specialists to avoid risks of further water damage.
HVAC system maintenance
When it comes to maintaining allergy symptoms in spring, it’s often not enough to just stay indoors. Pollen particles can gain access to the most unlikely places, including into your home, car, and even your shopping centres. This is why it’s imperative for asthma sufferers to carry their inhalers on them at all times but especially so during the spring season. Pollen storms can result in elevated cases of thunderstorm asthma across SA, VIC, and TAS.
And alongside open windows, there is one other way that pollen particles can gain access to your home: through your air conditioning and heating vents. If your HVAC system is due for a cleaning or servicing appointment, then be sure to tick that off your home maintenance to-do list promptly. Doing so can help drastically reduce the risks of pollutants entering your home and of your HVAC system circulating polluted air throughout your interiors. A poorly maintained HVAC system can trigger allergy symptoms in much the same way as a spring thunderstorm, so this measure is essential for all households with allergy sufferers.
Emergency preparedness planning
Finally, spring storms across Australia’s south-east can result in elevated flood risks for many regions. If you live in a flood prone area, then it’s imperative that you and your household get into the habit of checking flood risks and local warnings provided by your respective local or state emergency management authorities.
For South Australian residents, consult the South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) website. Victorians, consult the Victorian State Emergency Service (VSES) website. And for Tasmanians, the Tasmanian State Emergency Service (TSES) website. Residents can also listen on their local radio for official flood risk updates. And remember – if you’re isolated by flood waters, then be sure to contact your local SES to ensure that they’re aware of your situation and your whereabouts and can thus, orchestrate an emergency rescue.
Seeing in the spring season safely
Following the above recommendations, South Australian, Victorian, and Tasmanian residents should be able to safeguard their properties over this spring season. Residents are also advised to practice caution when heading out in spring rainstorms and thunderstorms – dress weather appropriate with waterproof outerwear and rainboots that offer suitable traction for slippery surfaces.
With these seasonal safety considerations made alongside the home maintenance chores outlined above, the torrential spring rains, winds, and their accompanying pollen storms shouldn’t be too disruptive for you and your household this year.
Image: Courtesy of Digital Next.
This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Digital Next.
