The 30 Minute Reno: Better to be safe than sorry

For the Reno Kings Team, living in the great southeast of Queensland it’s not uncommon after a hot, humid and muggy day to see a late afternoon storm roll in. In most cases these storms are a welcome quick relief to a terribly hot day. We like to be in our homes safe and sound when a storm is likely, but of course that’s not always a given.

We have put together some really simple things you can do to prepare your properties for nasty storms and extreme weather conditions which will help reduce potential damage to your properties - whether you’re able to be there or not.

A little time spent preparing now can save a lot of heartache later on. Spend the time now and get your home ready for Mother Nature’s unpredictable ways.

Secure as many items in your garden as possible. Strong winds whipping around during a storm will lift all sorts of things in the yard, such as outdoor furniture, kids’ toys, roofing iron, pool accessories and pot plants. The last thing you need is one of these items taking flight and damaging the windows of the house or car - or worse yet, the neighbours home or car! For tenanted properties, it is their responsibility to take care of belongings in the yard.

However, ensure the gutters and downpipes of your properties are regularly cleaned out, as this will help to prevent blockages occurring. Build up of leaves and other debris that falls on the roof over time can cause blockages which can lead to water overflow from the gutters and then in turn lead to water entering under the eaves of the roof space which will cause serious damage if not rectified.

Trim back trees around your properties. A large branch has the potential to cause significant damage to your roof, patios and even your windows. Before doing this however it is recommended you contact your local council to ensure you are meeting required guidelines and seeking consent applications where needed.  Tree lopping isn’t child’s play, so get the professionals in to avoid doing yourself or your property a mischief (get those three quotes – they can vary widely between operators – and ensure they have adequate insurance coverage).

Annually check the roof of your properties for any cracked or broken roof tiles, or rust spots, holes or evident damage.  As Paul Eslick says, if it doesn’t leak, it doesn’t need replaced. Repairs may still need to be done as regular maintenance to stop any water leaks going undetected – these can lead to longer term problems such as wood rot, which then needs more extensive and costly repair.  It is also recommended that you check for damage to your roof after more severe weather conditions such as hail storms.

Always be aware of what you are covered for on your insurance policy. Ensure you have adequate cover for weather events that may be specific to where you live. Landslides, fallen trees and flash flooding are a few things that you may wish to ensure is covered on your policy for peace of mind.

You can’t do much about your tenants actions, but putting together a home emergency plan for your family may to some seem like overkill but consider this. These kind of emergencies can happen at any time of day, your children could be at school or you could be stuck on public transport. Knowing you have the ability to get in contact with each other, are able to meet up at a designated place should an emergency occur or know your loved ones are safe is paramount. Identifying how you will manage in any given situation and knowing that everyone is aware of what the plan is and is able to follow it is definitely a wise idea.  A backup of critical documentation (including insurance documents) at a safe location other than your main residence is a wise idea.

There’s never a convenient time for a blackout, so prepare an emergency kit with all the essential items you will need should you lose electricity. Give some thought to the things you will need to stock in your kit, and store it in a convenient location where everyone knows its whereabouts. Battery operated radios to listen to helpful weather updates will be very useful as will battery operated torches.  You may like to provide the bare necessities for your tenants as a ‘welcome’ gift – they will enjoy the convenience and likely appreciate the gesture … and hopefully never have to use the kit!
Hopefully you will find these tips useful for keeping your home and properties safe, but if you are stuck travelling during a storm and are unable to get out of the weather, there are certain precautions you need to take to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. Never attempt to travel though flooded roads. Always drive with your lights on and if the weather conditions are very bad and it’s safer to pull over ensure you stop somewhere safe and put on you hazard lights. Be vigilant of debris on the road and remember that fallen power lines could be anywhere.

The Reno Kings hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a safe and enjoyable New Year ahead.

About The Reno Kings
“From over 70yrs combined experience & $40million in property holdings, Reno Kings Paul Eslick, Justin Eslick & Geoff Doidge show you how to make money in property."

The Reno Kings have been successful in property for over 35 years – and it hasn’t been by taking risks!  And for 12 years now they’ve been showing people from all over Australia how to buy exceptional property deals, cleverly add tremendous value to residential properties through cosmetic renovation and development and to safely and successfully create wealth by building a property portfolio. 

Justin has been teaching alongside Geoff and Paul for the past 5 years and his town planning and professional buying skills are so very powerful that they won’t touch a property without Justin first giving it the ‘go-ahead’.  Others have come and gone, but the Reno Kings have always been there, powering along, using their safe and secure formulas to build up $40million worth of property.  Thriving – not just surviving – through 35 odd years of property cycles proves that what they’re doing is right!   And that’s why they get so many questions from property investors and why the media always go to them for help on property and renovation stories.  The Reno Kings are the trusted name in property education.