Hailstorms can result in damage to property, especially cars. The impact of hail stones can damage your car exterior, side and rear windows, and windscreen.

According to a recent report from the Insurance Australia Group (IAG), hailstorms are likely to become more frequent and intense in Australia due to climate change, with large parts of southern and eastern Australia most at risk.

With that in mind, you’re probably wondering what you can do or use to keep your vehicle safe in a hailstorm.

Here are some ways to help protect your car from hail and potentially prevent the resulting vehicle repair costs if you happen to be where one hits.

4 tips to keep your car safe from hail damage

Thousands of Australian vehicles are damaged by hail every year. Depending on your circumstances, there are a range of options to help protect your car and keep it safe in the event of a hailstorm:

1. Check the weather forecast.

Prevention is better than a cure! Weather forecasts aren’t iron-clad but can often predict severe weather like hailstorms. Checking a dedicated app or website like the BOM Weather App can help you remain alert and aware, giving you more time to prepare or get undercover.

If your local council provides a weather alert system via SMS, it’s also worth signing up for. Plus, it’s handy to keep an eye (and an ear) on the news throughout the day, too.

2. Avoid driving during a hailstorm.

Driving during a hailstorm can be dangerous.

Not only can it be challenging to see, but the hailstones may cause damage to the body of your car, its windows or the windscreen. When going on an extended trip, always check the weather forecast to ensure no hailstorms are scheduled for when you’ll be on the road.

3. Park your car undercover.

The best way to protect your car from hail is to park your car in a secure undercover location, like a garage or carport. But this is not always possible.

If hail starts raining down while you’re on the road, help keep yourself safe by slowing down, turning your headlights on, and driving cautiously to a nearby covered car park or anywhere with some cover. If no shelter is around, when safe to do so, pull over to the side of the road and wait inside your car for the hail to stop. Make sure you don’t park your car under trees, by power lines, or near bodies of water that might flood during the storm. Stay aware of your surroundings and take the necessary steps to keep safe.

4. Use a hail car cover or blankets.

As the name suggests, a hail cover is designed to cover your car and reduce the impact of hail damage on the vehicle. While a hail cover may not completely prevent damage, it may reduce the severity of the impact that hail stones can cause.

Ideally, a hail cover should only be used as a last-minute option if proper shelter is unavailable. In place of a hail cover, another option is to use large, thick blankets draped over the car to minimise the damage done.

If nothing else is available, you can always use the car floor mats from your car to cover your windscreen glass, which may be the difference between being able to drive your vehicle or not.

Please remember that if you are caught up in a hailstorm, and your vehicle glass does get damaged, it can be dangerous to drive your vehicle as your vision may be impaired.

Call your O’Brien^® AutoGlass experts

Keeping an eye on the weather can go a long way in helping to protect and maintain your vehicle glass. In the unfortunate event of sustaining damage to your glass from hail, or you’re worried about a chip or a crack, the expert team at O’Brien^® AutoGlass will make it easy with our in-branch or mobile service.

At O’Brien^®, we have specialist technicians who can assist you whether you need a chip repair or a windscreen replacement. Not only does our vehicle glass comply with Australian and international standards, but no matter what make or model your car is, you can depend on us and drive away knowing the job has been done right.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

The post Tips On How To Protect Your Car From Hail Damage appeared first on O'Brien.

If your property is not properly sealed and maintained, rain can get into the home potentially leading to mold and other problems. To help avoid this, check for loose flashings or deteriorated weather seals on the externals of the home, to prevent inconspicuous water entering and causing damage. 

Our O'Brien Plumbers recommend inspecting these areas annually to check signs of damage or decay. We recommend you engage a local plumbing expert to plug these seals for long lasting effects.

2.Gutter and Drainage System Overflow

Gutters help to protect the foundation and walls of your home because they divert water away from your home and its foundation. Gutters also help capture much needed rain water – if your rainwater tank is connected to your toilets, hose taps or washing machine, keeping your downpipes and gutters clean and having your pumps checked by a licensed plumber will ensure you don’t miss out on capturing as much rain water as possible.

Our O'Brien Plumbers recommend consulting a licensed, experienced professional.This may help to avoid more problems caused by water leaking into the building’s foundation and roof cavities.

3. Damage to Roof

Hail and rain can cause roof damage. Roof damage may appear as dents in metal and roof tiles or cracks on your roof tiles due to hail. If you notice any potential damage, get in touch with a licensed professional.

4.Clogging of household plumbing

During rainy weather household plumbing can become clogged or damaged. Blocked drains can lead to plumbing backflow and can cause problems in the home if not dealt with quickly. A blocked drain will usually be apparent, however, a number of signs to look out for include;

• An unusual smell coming from pipes or drainage
• Puddles or build up of water where it is slow to drain away or doesn’t drain at all
• A gurgling sound emerging from drains and pipes

To help prevent this from happening our O'Brien Plumbers specialise in drain cleaning with specific equipment that may be needed to make them operational again.

O'Brien Plumbers offer a range of services to help protect your home including:

• Hand augers and drain cleaning rods.
• Electric eels.
• High pressure water jetters.
• CCTV inspection of drains.
• Excavation and repair/replacement.
  

Our O'Brien Plumbers come highly experienced in troubleshooting these problems for you.

If you notice plumbing damage or require a licensed plumber to inspect your property contact the experts at O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing. 

The post How You Can Help Prepare Your Home For Adverse Weather Conditions appeared first on O'Brien.