Preparing Your High-Rise Facade for Storm Season: A Pre-Spring Maintenance Checklist

Our storm season checklist back in June covered roofs and gutters, the parts of a building that take the most direct hit from rain and debris. But a building's facade, its render, cladding, signage and fixed features, faces its own risks once the wind picks up, and it's worth checking separately before storm season arrives.

Why facades need their own storm prep

Wind-driven rain finds its way into cracks and gaps that would otherwise stay dry, and anything loose on a facade, a panel, a sign, an awning, becomes a hazard the moment wind speeds increase. A roof and gutter check doesn't cover any of this, which is why it's worth treating facade prep as its own item on the pre-spring list rather than assuming it's covered.

What to check on render and paintwork

Look for hairline cracks, bubbling, or areas where paint has started to peel. These are entry points for wind-driven rain, and they tend to widen once water gets behind the surface repeatedly through a storm season. Minor cracking is a straightforward patch and repaint job in spring; left through summer storms, it can turn into a much larger render repair.

What to check on cladding and panels

Metal and composite cladding panels should be checked for loose fixings, gaps at panel joints, and any early signs of corrosion, particularly on buildings closer to the coast. A panel that's slightly loose in September can become a falling hazard in a storm, so this is one of the more safety-critical items on the list.

What to check on joints, signage and fixtures

Sealant around windows, expansion joints, and where different materials meet is one of the first places water gets in once it's failed. Signage, awnings, and anything else fixed to the facade should also be checked for secure mounting, since these are common culprits in storm damage reports every year.

When to book this in

Brisbane's storm season generally runs from November through to April, so early spring gives enough lead time to get an inspection done and any repairs completed before the first storms arrive. Booking in September or early October, rather than waiting until the weather turns, means repairs happen on a normal schedule rather than as an emergency callout.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is facade storm prep different from the roof and gutter checklist?

Yes. Roofs and gutters deal with water shedding from above; facades deal with wind-driven rain and loose fixtures at the building's exterior walls. Both matter, but they're checked differently and often need different trades.

How long does a facade storm-readiness check take?

This depends on the building's size and how much of the facade needs closer inspection, but most checks are completed within a day or two using rope access.

What happens if a defect is found close to storm season?

Minor issues like small cracks or loose sealant can usually still be fixed quickly. More significant repairs, like re-fixing cladding panels, are best identified as early as possible so they're not being rushed through right before a storm.

Do coastal Brisbane buildings need more frequent facade checks?

Generally yes, since salt air accelerates corrosion on metal fixings and cladding, which is worth factoring into how often a facade gets inspected.