We might be biassed, but we truly think that Darwin is a magical place year round. However, every year between November and April, Mother Nature likes to put on a show that might catch new locals (and sometimes long-time locals too) to the city by surprise. The tropical summer sunsets are nothing short of spectacular; the electrical storms that light up the sky daily are absolutely breathtaking; and, while the early rains might dampen your mornings, it does transform the city into a luscious oasis, where the smell of frangipanis fills the air and the pace of life naturally flows.
However idyllic this may all sound, it doesn’t come without the need to carefully prepare. The Darwin wet season comes with a lot of – you guessed it – rain, so it’s important that you keep on top of your wet season maintenance so that your property remains in top condition.
Here’s a list of maintenance tips that you’ll want to tick off each year as the Darwin wet season rolls around.
Manage Mould
The damp, humid weather and consistent rainy conditions of the wet season means that mould is a reality that many tenants and homeowners face each year. While sometimes even the best-ventilated homes can still see mould creep in, there are some preventative measures you can take!
- Try to keep dry areas dry, or if rain/wet does seep through, dry the affected area as soon as possible.
- Keep both air con and fans running in order to ensure ventilation and control humidity.
- Maintain gutters to prevent roof leaks.
Air Con Maintenance
Generally, we suggest that tenants and homeowners do regular cleans and services of air con filters and units. Regular servicing will lengthen the lifetime of the unit, keep electricity costs down and – as a property owner – will help in ensuring that your property is tenanted as your tenants will be cool and not inconvenienced.
It’s important to note here, that if you are a tenant living in a rented property, it is your responsibility to clean air conditioner filters on a regular basis.
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Garden and Yard Maintenance
It’s super important that you keep your garden and backyard tidy, and that you report any irrigation issues so that reticulation can be maintained during the wet season. This is a good time of year to consider pruning any large plants you might have around your property.
Typically, irrigation is turned off during the wet season, however, some irrigation specialists suggest that they be turned on once a week, to clear any blockages (ie, dust, dirt and ants) while not in regular use.
Cyclone Preparation
During the Darwin wet season, cyclones can develop at any time, so it’s important that you protect your property against any cyclone damage. Even if you’re going away or if your property isn’t tenanted, you want to prepare your property as if there was a cyclone warning in place. Some things to prepare include:
- Move all furniture and plants off of balconies or ensure that everything is securely tied down.
- Secure all doors and windows
- Turn off any electricals that operate on standby
- Turn off hot water system
- Turn off washing machine taps
- Clear all garden furniture and debris (ie, fallen palm fronds)
- Secure all important documents into waterproof containers
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Hard Rubbish Collection
A big part in preparing for the wet season in Darwin is the annual hard rubbish collection that is arranged by the local council. This is where items such as whitegoods, furniture, scrap metals, bicycles and more are collected to help residents maintain a tidy yard.
Preparing for the Darwin wet season for tenants
An important note for tenants; if your rented property isn’t kept well-ventilated throughout the wet season, you may be considered liable for any cleaning and/or repair costs to rectify any mould issues that may arise.
Preparing for the Darwin wet season
Even if you’re going away, or if your property is vacant, it’s important that you keep your systems (like air conditioners, and ceiling fans) running. This will help in preventing mould in your property and on furnishings.
Did you know we offer house minding services? If you’re going away this wet season and need someone to look after your property, let us know! Reach out to us today and let’s see how we can help!