How to protect your home during storm season · disrupting public services. The most common of these are severe storms and high rainfall events, which hit more frequently than any

How to protect your home during storm season

bluemountainmesh.com.au 1

STORM DAMAGE PROTECTION + A Blue Mountain Mesh Information Guide + + 2013

Photo : REXNESS, Feb 2011

SUMMER’S COMING AND SO IS THE WILD WEATHER

It seems every summer we see the devastating impacts of storms, floods, bushfires and cyclones on our communities – threatening lives, damaging property and disrupting public services. The most common of these are severe storms and high rainfall events, which hit more frequently than any other natural hazard in Australia.

While September to March is commonly known as ‘storm season’ – storms and high rainfall events actually hit different parts of Australia all year round. When these high rainfall events occur poorly maintained gutters can be quickly overloaded. This means that all year round Aussie homeowners need to be prepared for the wild weather – and potential threat to property – that severe storms and high rainfall events bring.

Overflowing gutters are one of the four most common reasons for water entering homes during storms. Yet much of this damage can be avoided, along with the expensive insurance claims, clean up and heartache that goes with it.

This paper will look at:

+ The widespread impact of storms on our communities.

+ The risk to people and property through poorly maintained gutters.

+ How gutter protection works to minimise the risk to homes.

+ Why Blue Mountain Mesh provides superior protection to other gutter guards.

+ Overflowing gutters are one

of the four most common

reasons for water entering

homes during storms and

high rainfall events.

+ Blocked gutters can lead

to flooding, causing

extensive damage to roof

and ceiling areas, walls

and floors, and destroying

precious home contents.

+ Long term, this damage

can undermine structural

foundations or cause

serious health problems as

a result of damp and mould.

+ Over-the-gutter gutter

protection helps minimse

the risk of flooding by

forming a physical barrier to

prevent leaves and debris

from entering gutters.

+ It only takes one leaf too

many to clog a gutter and

cause you serious problems;

don’t let one leaf end up

costing you thousands

in damage to your most

important asset, your home.



The problem experienced by the King family is not uncommon, according to experienced roofer, Geoff Finegan, who owns Queensland roofing company Hats4Houses.

“ I come across various homes where either leaf litter or hail damage has caused water to back up into the valleys of the roof and cause flooding.

“ The gutters are blocked so the water has nowhere to go. It gets under the roof sheets and into the ceiling cavity. It’s a real headache for people and can be very expensive if you have to replace everything.”

According to Geoff, installing a gutter guard would stop a large percentage of this problem occurring.

“ You can’t say it will never happen, but it would certainly stop the problem in most cases and alleviate the stress and expense for a lot of people.”

Geoff Finegan – Hats4Houses Photo : 1. BART EVERSON, Jul 2006; 2. NEWTOWN GRAFFITI, Oct 2012; 3. THE INSURANCE

INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS & HOME SAFETY (IBHS) RESEARCH CENTRE, Feb 2013

THE REAL LIFE STORIES BEHIND THE STATISTICS

In 2008, NRMA Insurance received 48,000 storm-related claims, with overflowing gutters cited as one of the four most common reasons for water entering homes (SMH 2009).

CASE STUDY

BAY AND BASIN BEARS THE BRUNT OF STORM

PARTS of Sanctuary Point resembled a winter wonderland after Friday’s early morning storm... While it may have been fun for children ... for some residents the hail that blanketed the area proved to be a nightmare.

Colin and Tina King, of Beaver Avenue, Sanctuary Point woke to water running out of light sockets, flooding carpets.

“ Tina got up about 3.30 and turned on the light and blew the fuse,” Mr King said. “That’s when we discovered the water was pouring in through the light fittings, wetting the carpets,” he said.

“ All the hail the area experienced built up and blocked the gutters and the ensuing rain backed up and then inundated the house. It was bucketing down. The rain was even coming in through the fan in the shower.”

(South Coast Register 2012)

Despite having their home inundated by floodwater and from overflowing gutters, boys will be boys and the Kings, father Colin and sons Steven and Alex enjoyed an impromptu snow fight with the hail. Photo: SEAN McALEER

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SUMMER OR WINTER: YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED

Thousands of families will bear the brunt of severe and damaging storms and high rainfall events in Australia this year. Severe storms can strike anywhere in Australia, producing intense rain, storm tides, thunder and lightning, hail, tornadoes, damaging winds and flash floods.

QLD, NSW, the ACT and Victoria are hit by literally thousands of storms each year – with more than 100 producing damaging hailstones, severe wind gusts and flash flooding. But the effects are not isolated to where the storms occur. Tropical cyclones in North Queensland cause damage over large areas, as damaging wind, rain and large waves work their way south along the coast as far as southern NSW (BOM n.d.).

The peak seasonal rainfall periods across Australia can be split into four main groups, which means storms are likely to strike the following areas at different times of year:

Summer : Northern Australia & Eastern Australia to Newcastle in the south

Winter : Southern Australia

Uniform / All Year : New South Wales mostly

Arid : Central Australia

Darwin

Brisbane

Sydney

Canberra

Melbourne

Hobart

Perth

Adelaide

Summer DominantMarked wet summer and dry winter

WinterWet winter and low summer rainfall

Summer Wet summer and low winter rainfall

Winter DominantMarked wet winter and dry summer

Uniform Uniform rainfall

AridLow rainfall

Major seasonal rainfall zones of Australia (BOM).

“ With some (individual) claims … costing on average over $110,000, it just shows the frightening level of damage that can be caused by a severe storm or flooding.”

Suncorp Insurance

COUNTING THE COSTS OF SEVERE STORMS IN AUSTRALIA

Storm damage is a particularly significant issue for the insurance industry, with payouts for storm damage topping the list ahead of cyclones, earthquakes, floods or bushfires (source: ABS); and also for authorities tasked with restoring lives and communities in the aftermath of such events.

Natural hazards in Australia cost an average of $1.14 billion annually (ABS 2010), but the cost of a single, massive storm event can be much higher. A severe storm in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region of NSW in 2007 topped the damage bill for that year at $1.48 billion, while separate storms in Perth and Melbourne in 2010 followed close behind at $1.05 billion damage each. More recently, inundation and storms across Queensland and Northern NSW in January 2013 totaled $1.09 billion in damage (Insurance Council of Australia 2013).

In revealing its list of the top ten storm-battered Queensland suburbs, Suncorp Insurance highlighted the severity of storms and the impact on lives: “With some claims in Western Queensland costing on average over $110,000, it just shows the frightening level of damage that can be caused by a severe storm or flooding.”

(Suncorp Insurance n.d)



HOW YOUR GUTTERS PROTECT YOUR HOME

Gutters may not be very glamourous – but they are actually one of the unsung heroes of your home. We tend to spend a lot of time and money choosing other internal fixtures and fittings, when our gutters form a vital part of home construction and do an important job of protecting what lies inside.

The main function of a gutter is to remove or transport water away from the roof of your home – either into a drainpipe or water collection and storage system. Without gutters, water that falls on your roof can flow toward the walls, seep into cracks and get inside, causing extensive flood and moisture damage. Futhermore, water can collect next to the foundations of your home, which can cause serious structural damage.

A gutter does a good job of removing this water, so long as it is properly maintained. Blockages are common and gutters require ongoing maintenance to ensure they can function properly.

SNAPSHOT: INSURANCE CLAIMS FROM MAJOR STORMS AND CYCLONES 2011-2013

January 2013

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald sweeps down the Queensland and NSW coasts prompting $843 million in damage claims. Bundaberg, Ipswich, Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Northern Rivers NSW and Sydney are among a long list of victims as heavy rain, widespread flooding and damaging winds wreak havoc over thousands of kilometres.

November 2012Storms hit Brisbane without warning, causing widespread damage. The storm hits almost four years to the day after an enormous storm hit Brisbane’s western suburbs, including The Gap, destroying homes and infrastructure, worth $300 million in claims.

December 2011Severe storms, hail and a mini tornado rips through Melbourne, spoiling Christmas Day for thousands of families and emergency workers, and leading to $730 million in claims.

February 2011Tropical cyclone Yasi, one of the most powerful cyclones to have affected Queensland since records began, slams the Far North Queensland coast. The system was the size of the US and effects were felt up to 2,000 km away, resulting in a $1.4 billion insurance bill.

(Insurance Council of Australia 2013)

A gutter collects the storm water that lands on your roof; and directs it away from your house into a drainage or storage system.

WHAT CAUSES A BLOCKED GUTTER?

Every year, fallen leaves, branches, dirt and debris gets washed off the roof into our gutters. This can build up at an alarming rate and can cause damage to the guttering itself or to your property. Guttering also tends to be a haven for pests, including birds, possums and insects, who use your gutter as their home and breeding ground. The wetter the climate, the more likely it is that moss and other build up will occur.

Photo : BILL BROWN, AUSSIE SHIELD, Sep 2010



WHY IS IT A PROBLEM IF YOUR GUTTERS BECOME BLOCKED?

Blocked gutters and downpipes lead to the overflow of gutters during and following heavy rain and storms. This can lead to flooding, with water entering the house by overflowing over the back of the gutter into eaves and ceiling cavities, overflowing onto verandas, terraces and stair slabs and flowing into the downstairs rooms or causing drainage problems for the homeowner and adjacent properties.

One of the big issues is that you probably won’t know you’ve got a blockage until it’s too late, as the signs can be hard to spot from the ground. Typically, flooding occurs in the middle of a storm or heavy rain, so you might find yourself struggling to clear blocked gutters in wet and dangerous conditions. Flooding also has the potential to be very expensive and extremely inconvenient to fix.

Aside from potential damage to your home, there are other important reasons you should invest in your gutters.

PROTECTING THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

Damage from overflowing gutters can be expensive to fix, there can also be significant impact on the value of your home if yours or any of the houses in your street has overflowing gutters.

A study by the UK’s Churchill Home Insurance found that 98% of estate agents said that an unsightly or poorly maintained neighbouring property has a negative impact on the price potential buyers will pay for a home (Churchill 2013). So it pays to keep an eye on your own gutters – as well as those on your neighbours’ homes – to protect the value of your home.

By comparison, the investment required to protect your home with a more long term option like a steel gutter guard (on the average Australian home) is between $1500-$2,000 fully installed. This could pay for itself several times over when the time comes to sell your house through improved valuations and by eliminating potential issues with building and pest inspections.

What’s lurking in your gutter?

+ Grass and plants growing in gutters and stopping water flow

+ Moss build up

+ Gutter blocked with leaves and debris

+ Pests including possums and birds making nests

Sometimes you can’t see the problem from the ground; and you won’t always notice the overflow until damage is done.

Photo : 1. NEIL CHAMPION, Nov 2010; 2. BRIAN SNELSON, Jul 2006; 3. 500PX, Nov 2011; 4. JAMES GATHANY, CDC, Feb 2006; 5. TED

GARVIN, Dec 2007; 6. TEMPORALATA, Nov 2010.

Top 5 eyesores affecting property values are:

+ Broken or boarded up windows

+ Rubbish or junk in the front garden or drive

+ Overflowing gutters

+ Unsightly or imposing extensions and DIY

+ Run down vehicles in the front drive

(Churchill Insurance 2013)

1 4

6

5

2

3

Photo : ERIC SCHMUTTENMAER, May 2008



LOOKING AFTER YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

Gutters that aren’t functioning properly can also affect your family’s health. Leaks in ceilings and walls can lead to extra moisture in the home, which in turn encourages mould and mildew to grow, which can cause irritation in some people, and more severe health problems in others. Infants, children, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory problems and the elderly are all at greater risk. The best way to avoid these problems is to take precautions to eliminate the growing conditions that would lead to mould appearing in the first place – keeping your home dry and damp-free.

COMMON DRAINAGE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CLOGGED GUTTERS

Keeping your gutters cleared of blockages and running smoothly is very important. If your gutters get blocked, then the water that drains from your roof cannot drain through the gutters, and must find an exit. This is normally done by overflowing and coming over the side of the gutter, then running down your wall.

If the water can’t escape it will pool in the gutter creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes – the insect responsible for more deaths than any other animal on the planet. In Australia, mosquitoes pose a significant problem due to the diseases they can harbour and transmit to humans through bites. The most effective way to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne transmission is to prevent or reduce mosquito breeding (Queensland Government 2010). Keeping household gutters clear of moist leaves and debris and pooled water an important factor in reducing mosquito breeding habitats around the home.

Many problems are caused by clogged gutters, which can eventually lower the value of your property or result in extremely expensive repairs.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Defects in your guttering can create a domino effect, paving the way for more serious structural damage around your home. If you’ve noticed any of the following problems at your house, it might be a good idea to clean, repair or replace your clogged gutters. If you are thinking of fixing your gutters, you might also want to look out for any holes, or cracks that could be leaking water.

Damp and mould

Water running down the outside of your house can cause mould to grow inside and out. This is both unsightly and produces mould spores, which smell terrible and can cause breathing difficulties. Water can penetrate through the wall and cause damage to paint and wallpaper. This can go unnoticed if hidden behind furniture.

Leaky roofs and saggy ceilings

Clogged gutters can result in water that stands for hours, or longer, blocking the flow of water from the roof. This can leak into ceiling cavities and cause ceilings to sag and eventually collapse, ruining internal decoration and your home’s contents.

Black mould growing on the outside

of a house. Photo: KRISTOPHA HOHN, May 2009

Mosquitoes are responsible for more deaths than any other insect or animal on the planet. Gutter guards can help eliminate dangerous breeding grounds around the home.

Photo : JAMES GATHANY, CDC, Feb 2006



Splash back damage

Water that spills or leaks from a blocked gutter onto the ground can cause water to splash back and damage your property. The affected area can suffer from penetrating damp, peeling paintwork, wood rot and unsightly cosmetic damage.

Sagging driveways

Just as large roots can lift the concrete blocks of your driveway into the air, clogged gutters can result in pooling water that breaks down the concrete from the top. This might cause sagging driveways or even large cracks to appear.

Brickwork and pointing damage

An overflowing gutter can result in water pouring down the wall, causing damage to brickwork and pointing, penetrating damp and damage to wall ties. Moss growing on the wet walls adds to the problem by retaining water and not letting the walls dry out.

Rotting wood

Clogged gutters can also rot wood fascia. When the water builds up and stands stagnant for even just a few hours, the wood will start to break down and decompose, causing serious problems.

Cracks in the foundation

Blocked gutters can force water downwards directly onto the foundation wall, which can lead to major cracking, mould growth and rot along the surrounding fascia. Wet areas around the footings can cause the soil to swell and shrink, increasing the risk of termite attack and movement.

Ruined landscaping

Expensive landscaping can be destroyed in hours by clogged gutters as the water exits the gutters with sufficient force to dig holes in your flower beds and gardens, resulting in over-watered plants and unsightly dips in the topography of your yard.

Insects

Removing moisture and debris from your gutters is one of the most effective steps you can take to keep your home insect-free, along with twigs, leaves, and other materials that pests love to use as both shelter and a food source.

Damp areas can cause moss to grow, adding to water retention. Photo: WENDY MANN,

Dec 2005

Termites can be attracted to your home due to clogged and leaking gutters. Photo: ALTON,

May 2007

Water around the foundations causes cracks and other damage. Photo: WAYNE TRUONG, 2007

“ Damaged or blocked gutters and downpipes provide a source of penetrating moisture... (these) typically concentrate large quantities of moisture in one area, resulting in ... localised damage externally and potential for damage internally.”

(National Building Specification 2011)

Damage caused by water ‘splash back’ against home. Photo: NEWTOWN GRAFFITI, Aug 2011



WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST IN YOUR GUTTERS?

Experts generally recommend that you clean your gutters at least once every three months; and more frequently if leafy trees hang over your roof. This takes time and can be expensive if you need to pay someone else to do this job for you (see Blue Mountain Mesh Information Guide Issue - Household Savings). If you do it yourself, there are many associated risks of working with ladders (see Blue Mountain Mesh Information Guide Issue - Avoid The Risk of Falls).

With blocked gutters contributing to so many costly repairs and building risks for your home, property owners need a simple, less risky and less time intensive solution to help them keep their gutters clear of debris.

HOW GUTTER PROTECTION WORKS

A gutter guard (also known as gutter mesh) provides a long term solution to solve this problem by preventing debris from entering the gutter in the first place. There are various types of gutter protection systems on the market today.

Over-the-gutter systems that form a physical barrier to prevent leaves and debris from entering gutters offer a long term solution to minimise the risk of gutters flooding. Typically constructed using either steel or aluminium mesh, this form of gutter protection ensures year round low-maintenance protection that keeps gutters from getting blocked, preventing flooding of eaves, ceiling and wall cavities; and extra protection from hail and flooding rains during storms.

The ski-slope design of over-the-gutter gutter protection systems ensures that leaves and debris are blown off the roof through wind action whilst water is drawn through the mesh guard into the gutter. This form of gutter protection is highly superior to other in-gutter systems (e.g. gutter coils, foam or brushes) which don’t stop debris from entering the gutter and can lead to a myriad of other problems (clogging, dislodging and risk of falls from DIY installation and need for more regular cleaning and maintenance).

Homeowners who have installed gutter protection say that the guard prevents gutters from becoming blocked and they have peace of mind knowing they are protected from the risks of property damage, and more serious personal threats, at any time of year but particularly during storms.

Diagram of ski-slope / over the gutter design.

Gutter guard fixes to the roof. The angle enables leaves to blow off the roof through wind action

Gutter guard forms physical barrier to prevent leaves & debris entering gutter

Water is drawn through the gutter guard into the gutter



OTHER BENEFITS OF GUTTER PROTECTION

A gutter filled with leaves and debris is also a dangerous source of fuel for fires, particularly if you live in a leafy suburb or in a bush land area.

Research has shown that the main cause of house fire during a bushfire is from ember attack, where burning parts of trees (e.g. twigs, branches, leaves) are carried by winds and lodge in gutters, under doorways, roof spaces or windows and start internal fires. Over 85% of fires that destroy homes are started this way. Gutter guards form part of strict construction standards for properties built in bushfire-prone areas in an attempt to mitigate the risk of ember attack and reduce the risks to people and property (see Blue Mountain Mesh Information Guide Issue “Bushfire Building Compliance”).

Gutter guards are also very effective at preventing birds, vermin and possums from entering the roof space; while eliminating mosquito breeding grounds by ensuring water doesn’t get trapped in the gutter (see Blue Mountain Mesh Information Guide Issue “Pest Control”).

For homeowners using rainwater tank systems, it also improves water quality by preventing leaves and debris collecting and breaking down in the gutter, and extends the life of gutters by ensuring they dry quickly after rain.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GUTTER GUARD

What should you consider when choosing a gutter guard for your home? These tips may help:

+ Ensure the gutter guard will be securely fixed to the roof and gutter

+ Choose an over-gutter rather than in-gutter system with ski-slope design so leaves and debris are blown off by the wind

+ Check the material used will be strong enough to resist hail damage in areas affected by heavy rain and storms. The strongest material to use is zinc dipped, corrosion resistant steel.

+ Make sure the gutter guard is made from non-combustible material (Australian Standard AS3959-2009/2011 requirement for construction in bushfire-prone areas).

+ Ensure the guard you choose is corrosion resistant and the manufacturer has a certificate to prove this.

+ Check the guard is suitable for use on your roof type and is available in a matching colour.

What questions you should ask yourself when determining the right type of gutter guard for your home :

+ What issue is driving your need to consider putting a gutter guard on your gutters:

– Have your gutters become blocked with debris by leaves from trees in yours or your neighbours yard?

Is there a specific tree or trees causing the debris in your gutters?

How far are the trees from your home? Closer than 100mtrs?

– Has your home been recently inundated by water over flowing from your blocked gutters?

– Do you live in a bushfire prone area?

Are you wanting to minimise the risk to your home during a bushfire incident?

Are you looking for ember protection or gutter protection for your gutters?

– Are you concerned about yourself or your loved ones needing to get up a ladder every three months to clean out the gutters of your home?

– Have pests like possums, rats or other pests entered your roof cavity via your gutters?

– Are you looking to improve or have cleaner water quality in your rain water tank?

Gutter guard installed on corrugated roof.



IN SUMMARY

Storms and high rainfall events hit all parts of Australia at some time during the year. The damage bill can easily run into the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands. The risk of flooding from overflowing gutters is alarmingly high – one of the four most common reasons for water entering homes during storms – but it can so easily be avoided.

Gutter protection is a valuable investment to protect your home and your family. In the case of storms and heavy rain, installing adequate gutter protection can significantly reduce the risk of flood damage by preventing blocked gutters in the first place. It can also offer many other valuable health and safety benefits, giving you peace of mind around your home all year round. In all cases, remember:

Your gutters are an important part of your home and regular checks are recommended. Sometimes you can’t see the problem from the ground; and you won’t always notice the overflow flooding from a blocked gutter until the damage is done.

Choose your gutter guard system wisely. Over-gutter systems made from hot dipped, zinc coated, oven-baked, corrosion-resistant, non-combustible steel offer the best protection from all environmental hazards – strong enough to withstand hailstorms and compliant for building in bushfire-prone areas.

Ensure your gutter guard is fitted by an accredited installer, and comes with a warranty from a trusted manufacturer.

HOW CAN THE RH GROUP HELP?

The RH Group is an Australian company driven to help every person and every community make the most of their environmental assets.

We design, manufacture and wholesale high quality and sustainable water, environmental and trade products for Australian and international markets. We work with governments, retailers, distributors and consumers all over the world to find smarter, more innovative solutions to challenges created by our environment, and in doing so, create more sustainable futures.

Our Blue Mountain Mesh advanced gutter protection system is designed to offer homeowners protection from a range of environmental hazards, including flooding during storms and ember attack during bushfire.

ABOUT BLUE MOUNTAIN MESH

Born out of fire. The inspiration behind Blue Mountain Mesh’s all-steel mesh gutter guard came from the most tragic circumstances: watching a man trying in vain to save his family home from a savage bushfire, fuelled by an abundance of leaves and debris in the home’s gutters.

Blue Mountain Mesh products prevent leaves and debris from entering gutters and downpipes. The all steel, non-combustible mesh gutter guard minimises gutter maintenance and improves the quality of rain water collected for tanks. The proprietary hot dipped zinc coated and oven baked manufacturing process offers superior corrosion and heat resistance, providing superior protection for homes over the longer term.

We look forward to opportunities to help more Australians protect themselves and their greatest assets. For more information on our all steel, custom-made gutter protection products visit www.bluemountainmesh.com.au or call 1800 612 908.

WHY CHOOSE BLUE MOUNTAIN MESH?

Blue Mountain All Steel Gutter Mesh® is hot dipped galvanised, zinc coated steel which provides a corrosion resistant layer.

Our zinc coated corrosion resistant steel mesh is strong and durable and will stand the test of time.

Our entire range is bushfire compliant and conforms to the Australian Standard for the Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS3959-2009) and the updated Australian Standard for the ember guard protection of sheet roofs (AS3959-2009/Amdt 2011).

Our unique steel profile ensures our steel mesh gutter guard lies perfectly flat and means the finished product looks like a seamless addition to your roof.

Our mesh gutter guard fits all gutter profiles and can be adapted for all roof types, custom made and available in a choice of over 30 colours.

We offer a 12 year warranty based on minimum performance that we expect from our product. Results from independent tests offer a far longer projected life span with 12 years being the most conservative estimate.



REFERENCES

Australian seasonal rainfall zones n.d., Bureau of Meteorology, accessed 1 September 2013, <http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/environ/other/IDCJCM0002_aus_seas_zones.shtml>.

About severe thunderstorms n.d., Bureau of Meteorology, accessed 23 April 2013, <http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/sevwx/about.shtml>.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2010, Feature Article 3: Understanding Natural Hazard Impacts on Australia, accessed 22 April 2013, <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/00408ced366bb56aca2570de00029f46! OpenDocument>.

Churchill Home Insurance 2013, Everybody needs good neighbours: They add £19,399 to the value of your property, accessed 1 September 2013, <http://www.churchill.com/pressReleases/2013/12032013.htm>.

Crawford, R 2012, ‘Bay and Basin bears the brunt of storm’, South Coast Register, 15 October, accessed 1 September 2013, <http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/397163/bay-and-basin-bears-the-brunt-of-storm/>.

Emergency Services and Safety 2013, Queensland Government, accessed 23 April 2013, <www.qld.gov.au/emergency>.

Insurance Council of Australia 2013, Historical disaster statistics, accessed 1 August 2013, <http://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/industry-statistics-data/disaster-statistics/historical-disaster-statistics>.

National Building Specification (NBS) 2011, Building pathology: moisture conditions within external masonry walls, accessed 1 September 2013, <https://www.thenbs.com/topics/constructionproducts/articles/moistureConditionsExternalWalls.asp>.

Queensland Government 2010, Queensland Joint Strategic Framework for Mosquito Management 2010 – 2015, accessed 21 August 2013, < http://www.health.qld.gov.au/mozziediseases/documents/joint_strat_fwk.pdf>.

Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) and NRMA Insurance 2013, accessed 23 April 2013, www.stormwise.com.au

Suncorp Insurance n.d, Suncorp Insurance reveals top ten storm-battered Queensland suburbs, accessed 1 August 2013, <http://www.suncorpgroup.com.au/sites/default/files/fm/documents/CSR/Top%20ten%20storm-battered%20Queensland% 20suburbs.pdf>.

Tropical Cyclones in Queensland n.d., Bureau of Meteorology, accessed 23 April 2013, <http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/cyclones-eastern.shtml>.

‘Warnings ignored on high-gutter menace’, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 February, accessed 1 September 2013, <http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/02/01/1233423045521.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2>.

Western Australian Department of Health 2013, Mould and condensation in your home, accessed 1 September 2013, <http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/2887/2/Mould%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf>.

PO Box 3200, Newstead Qld 4006, Australia

Tel: +61 7 3248 9600 (TOLL FREE 1800 612 908)

Fax: +61 7 3041 3588

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.bluemountainmesh.com.au

Documents

How to protect your home during storm season · disrupting public services. The most common of these are severe storms and high rainfall events, which hit more frequently than any