After the Storm: A South Burnett Home Maintenance Checklist
Summer storms in the South Burnett have wreaked havoc on homes and property; many homes in the area were left to deal with damage to their roofing systems, downed trees and loss of electricity due to the extreme winds, rain and hail. Even if your home looks fine at first glance, small issues in gutters, fences, gates and doors can grow into expensive repairs if you miss them now.
This post-storm checklist will provide South Burnett homeowners with practical and local advice on jobs they can perform safely and when it would be smart to hire a professional to do the job.
What Should You Check First: Gutters and Downpipes?
Queensland emergency and disaster-preparedness advice consistently starts with gutters and downpipes: keep them clear and in good condition so water can get away from your home quickly. After a big storm:
- Check where the water ran. Walk around the house and look at the boards just under the roof and the walls below the gutters. Dirty streaks, water marks or paint lines can mean the gutters were overflowing and not draining properly.
- Look for drips and wet spots. While everything is still damp, look underneath the gutter and around the downpipes. If you see drips, wet patches or rust stains at joins and corners, there’s likely a leak there.
- See if the gutter line is straight. Stand back from the house and look along the length of each gutter. If any sections sag, dip or look out of line, the brackets may have come loose or bent and should be repaired.
Blocked or damaged sections should be fixed before the next storm. If you are not comfortable on ladders, or you find rust holes and several loose brackets, book gutter cleaning Kingaroy services or talk to a local about gutter repair Kingaroy wide. That is a better option than waiting for ceiling stains to appear.
How Can You Quickly Assess Fences and Gates?
Strong winds and soaked soil can leave fences leaning and gates sticking after just one storm, and recent systems have done exactly that in parts of the South Burnett. Take a slow lap of the boundary:
- Check posts for movement by gently pushing them; wobbling or cracking at ground level suggests the footing has shifted.
- Look for broken palings, bent rails, damaged Colorbond sheets or loose capping.
- Open and close every gate, noting scraping, new gaps or latches that no longer meet.
Minor realignment, fresh screws and lubrication are often quick DIY wins. Where panels are broken, posts are loose, or an automated gate has taken a hit, professional fence repairs Kingaroy or specialist gate repairs are usually the safest choice.
How Do Storms Affect Doors and Screens?
Moisture and building movement around slab edges can make doors swell, twist or drop slightly in their frames. Queensland recovery guidance notes that swollen doors, sticky locks and misaligned deadbolts are common after prolonged wet weather and flooding.
After each major storm:
- Open and close every external door to check for rubbing, sticking or new gaps.
- Test locks, deadbolts and sliding door latches to confirm they still line up smoothly.
- Inspect security screens for bent frames, torn mesh and loose fixings.
Light planing, hinge adjustments and new seals can often restore smooth operation. For badly swollen or cracked doors, or where security is compromised, calling a trusted handyman Kingaroy, Nanango or Murgon residents already use is usually quicker than wrestling with it yourself.
Which Moisture and Termite Red Flags Matter Most?
Big rains do more than leave puddles; they raise moisture levels in soil and timber, which is ideal for termites. QBCC and Queensland government advice stresses early detection and using licensed pest managers for any suspected activity rather than DIY treatment.
Keep an eye out for:
- Persistent damp patches on skirting boards, around door frames or at the base of walls.
- Bubbling or blistering paint, especially near floors or window sills.
- Timber that sounds hollow when tapped or feels soft under gentle pressure.
Australian Building and Pest Specialists list these as typical early warning indicators of termite or moisture issues. If you discover any of the above, DO NOT SPRAY OR SCRAPE AT THE AREA; instead, contact a licensed pest manager to arrange a site inspection and a treatment strategy. Once a licensed specialist has treated for termites, a handyman may later repair cosmetic water damage to walls and replace damaged wall linings.
When Is It Time to Call a Handyman?
Use this quick guide to decide what to tackle yourself and what to pass on:
Area | Call a handyman when… |
Gutters | There are leaks, rust, sagging or loose brackets |
Fences & gates | Posts move, panels are broken, or automation is affected |
Doors & screens | Doors are warped, frames cracked, or locks no longer align |
Moisture | Damp patches keep returning or spread further |
If you reside in the South Burnett area (Kingaroy, Nanango, Wondai, Murgon) and the recent storms have resulted in a long list of work to be done, a trusted handyman service will inspect and assess your home’s storm damage, provide a priority listing of the repairs that need to be done and complete the necessary repairs before the next round of severe weather. Begin by making a simple phone call or completing a quick online contact form to assist in turning the post-storm into a solid plan for creating a safer and better-maintained living home.