Australian home and building owners are spending more on roof and water damage repairs as increased storms and big rainfall events cause roof stress.
Climate change is also forcing architects and developers to adapt building designs and plans to ensure roofs stay intact, says David Hallett, Victorian state manager of Archicentre.
“Storms across the country are causing architects to re-think roof structure and design,” he says.
The change in rainfall patterns has resulted in less rain, but in more intense rainfall events, and many roofs have been severely damaged because of extreme and unpredictable weather patterns.
“Extreme rainfall means house roofs and plumbing fixtures, such as guttering, downpipes and drainage, are placed under more stress,” Mr Halltee says.
“Often, overflowing guttering, especially internal guttering, can fail and flood the interior of the house, causing major damage running into thousands of dollars.”
The increased intensity of storms is putting extreme structural pressure on roofs.
High winds, cyclones and roof damage caused by falling trees, power poles or debris is also increasing.
The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative believes sustainable building design starts with an understanding of the climate onsite.
Source: Archicentre and greenbuildingelements.com/2015/06/07/how-climate-change-affects-building-design/
