ultimate
home& garden WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY… From left, Metricon senior sales consultant, Jamie Leguier and sales consultant, James White invite the community to come along to the Shepparton Metricon BuildSmart event taking place at 6pm on Tuesday, May 14. Photo: Katelyn Morse.
Free first time builder
information session THE process of building a new home can be exciting, but the process can also be daunting if you haven’t built before. That’s why Metricon is running a series of free BuildSmart events, where guests have the opportunity to learn all about the building process. The Shepparton Metricon BuildSmart event is taking place at 6pm on Tuesday, May 14, at the stunning Metricon display home at Sanctuary Drive, Kialla and will focus on helping customers who are first time builders. Metricon manager regional north, Tania Tonks said, “For first home buyers thinking of building in regional Victoria, now has never been a better time to get into your new home. “At our BuildSmart Shepparton event we will discuss how
Metricon makes the buying and building process easy so you can enjoy watching your dream home become a reality. We’ll explain all the steps involved from paying your initial deposit through to being handed the keys to your new home. “Guests will have the opportunity to learn all about the process in a relaxed environment, to ask questions of Metricon’s experienced team and to meet a Metricon client who has recently built their dream home. “This session gives a great insight into what to expect every step along the way during the building process.” Places are limited, so register now to reserve your seat at www. metricon.com.au/events
Pre-winter checklist to keep you safe, warm and dry AUTUMN is the season to prepare the house for the colder and wetter winter weather in Victoria. To assist households to keep safe, warm and dry during winter, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has compiled a checklist. CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS AND CHANGE BATTERIES: The end of daylight savings on Sunday 7 April was a trigger to check that your smoke alarms are working properly. It is recommended that you change your smoke alarm battery every 12 months. It’s not too late to check. HAVE YOUR GAS HEATER SERVICED: The VBA and Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) recommend that gas heaters are serviced at least once every two years by a gasfitter registered or licensed in Type A appliance servicing work. As part of servicing your gas appliance, the gasfitter will test for carbon monoxide (CO) spillage and negative pressure, two key risks for CO poisoning. If the gasfitter identifies CO spillage, it must be rectified immediately as CO exposure can put lives at risk. This may require the appliance to be repaired or disconnected. If the gasfitter identifies negative pressure, it needs to be rectified. This may require the gasfitter to install additional ventilation. The gasfitter carrying out the servicing work must provide you with a compliance certificate if the total value of the work is $750 or more. Using an unqualified or unregistered Page 24 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1455 Wednesday, May 8, 2019
person for this work is unlawful and can put your life at risk. C H E C K YO U R G U T T E R S A N D DOWNPIPES: To prevent water damage to your property, you should clean your gutters and downpipes regularly to clear leaves and other debris. This is particularly important in autumn. Properly maintained gutters and downpipes are vital in moving rainwater from the roof to the stormwater drains or tanks. If gutters or downpipes are corroded or damaged, they require repair or replacement. This work must be carried out by a plumber who is registered or licensed in roofing (stormwater) work. If the total cost of the work is $750 or more, the plumber must provide a compliance certificate. CHECK THE CONDITION OF DECKS AND BALCONIES: Check that rainwater does not pond on deck or balcony surfaces or flow back towards the property or pond at the base of posts or pillars supporting balconies and decks. Other signs of deterioration include cracked concrete or signs of leaning; cracked or weak mortar; or dislodged brickwork/masonry. Termites, wet rot, environmental conditions and loading can all affect the structural integrity of balconies, decks or balustrades.