A well-prepared home is more likely to survive a bush fire. Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bush fire or ember attack; and a well-prepared home can also be easier for firefighters to defend.
The NSW Rural Fire Service recommends to keep your gutters free of leaves and twigs that could ignite a fire. Clean gutters also help water to flow to defend your home against fire threats.
Here are some basic maintenance tips from the NSW Rural Fire Service to help you prepare your property:
- Clean your gutters of leaves and twigs
- Install metal gutter guards
- Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof
- Install fine metal mesh screens on windows and doors
- Fit seals around doors and windows to eliminate gaps
- Repair or cover gaps in external walls
- Attach a fire sprinkler system to gutters
- Keep lawns short and gardens well maintained
- Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings
- Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property
- Have hoses long enough to reach around your house
- Check and maintain adequate levels of home and contents insurance
How to clean your gutters
Follow our helpful guide “How to Clean Your Gutters” to learn how to thoroughly clean your gutters. Consider using a professional Sydney gutter cleaning service like The Gutter Cleaning Co. if you are not confident using ladders to access the roof, or if your gutters and downpipes are in hard-to-reach places.
Jesse Chittleborough is the Founder of the Gutter Cleaning Co. After qualifying as an industrial abseiler in England, he spent three years working across Europe carrying out remedial works on bridges, high-rise buildings, and telecommunications towers before returning to Australia to establish the Gutter Cleaning Co. Drawing on his extensive experience working at heights, Jesse specialises in gutter cleaning, roof maintenance, roof safety, and preventative property care. He is passionate about helping property owners protect their homes through practical advice and industry best practices backed by real-world experience.
