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How to Avoid Hail Punctures in Gutter Mesh
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How to Avoid Hail Punctures in Gutter Mesh

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Protect your building

How to Avoid Hail Punctures in Gutter Mesh

Severe storms and high rainfall events are the most frequently occurring natural hazards in Australia.  

In addition to high winds and heavy rain, many of these severe storms are accompanied by another particularly undesirable element – hail.  

Hail has played a large role in many of the most destructive storms in Australia. For example, the November 2014 hailstorm in Brisbane is estimated to have caused over a billion dollars in damage. Hail can smash windows, dent cars and strip trees of their leaves and branches. In some cases, it can also puncture your gutter mesh. 

 

The problem with punctured gutter mesh 

When properly installed, over-the-gutter gutter mesh improves your home’s ability to withstand threats such as pest invasion, flooding and even bushfire.  

It does this by keeping leaves, debris and pests out of your gutters while still letting rainwater in.  

Of course, gutter mesh only helps to defend your home when it’s properly installed and fully intact. Any gaps created by poor installation, rips or punctures can compromise the effectiveness of your gutter mesh. In some cases, these gaps can also create significant problems for your home. That’s because while damaged gutter mesh can let in unwanted leaves and animals, it will still keep you out. This makes cleaning all but impossible, sometimes exacerbating the very problems gutter mesh is meant to prevent.

Hail durability testing 

Because punctured gutter mesh can lead to some serious headaches around your home, Blue Mountain Co decided to test the hail resistance of all our gutter mesh products.

The lab tests we commissioned applied the solar panel industry’s hail standards. This involved shooting spherical “hailstones” with a 25 mm diameter at the gutter mesh. The hailstones were travelling at 23 metres per second.

Our Aluminium gutter mesh was not able to fully withstand this assault. However, all our Steel gutter mesh products were able to withstand “hail attack”. Because of this, we recommend that if you’re located in a hail-prone area, you carefully evaluate your strength requirements and consider choosing steel gutter mesh for your home so you can enjoy greater peace of mind.

Mesh Matcher 

Hail durability and resistance can be a compelling factor when choosing gutter mesh for your home. However, it’s also important to consider other elements when selecting the right gutter mesh for your home – elements such as leaf size and your home’s bushfire risk.  

To make this process easier, Blue Mountain Co has developed Mesh Matcher. Mesh Matcher is an easy-to-use tool that asks the right questions to help you determine which gutter mesh products are suitable for your home and environment.

Click here to use Mesh Matcher today and learn which gutter mesh is suitable for your home.  

The Growing Bushfire Threat 

Australia’s bushfire seasons are becoming more intense and unpredictable. The devastating 2019–2020 Black Summer fires burned over 24 million hectares, destroyed more than 3,000 homes, and impacted communities across the country (Statista, 2023). And the risks are only increasing: 

  • Fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer. 
  • Extreme fire weather is becoming more frequent. 
  • The annual area burned is growing. 

Prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and drier landscapes are creating the perfect storm for fires to ignite and spread rapidly (Bowman et al., 2017). In some regions, fire seasons are now over a month longer than they were 35 years ago (NASA, 2023). 

Your Gutters: A Hidden Fire Risk 

When it comes to bushfire preparedness, many homeowners focus on clearing vegetation around their property. But one critical weak spot is often overlooked—gutters.This phenomenon, known as an ember attack, is responsible for up to 90% of homes lost in bushfires (Leonard et al., 2016). Dry leaves and debris in gutters provide the perfect fuel, allowing fire to spread to the roof and into the home within minutes. 

Gutter Protection: A Simple Yet Powerful Defence 

 
Investing in effective gutter protection is a key step in reducing your home’s bushfire risk. At Blue Mountain Gutter Mesh, we offer premium ember guard-compliant gutter mesh, designed to defend against ember attack. Our 2mm steel and aluminium gutter mesh options meet Australian Standard AS3959-2018 for ember guard compliance while preventing flammable debris buildup in your gutters—a critical factor since up to 90% of bushfire-related property losses stem from ember ignition. Crafted from non-combustible, corrosion-resistant materials, our mesh keeps embers and leaves out, safeguarding your home. 
 
2mm Steel Gutter Mesh: Ember guard compliant for all BALs (12.5, 19, 29, 40 and Flame Zone) 

2mm Aluminium Mesh: Features a woven edge for extra durability and is ember guard compliant for BALs 12.5, 19 and 29. 

5 Signs Your Gutters Need Protection Now 

  1. Leaves and debris constantly build up. 
  2. Water spills over during heavy rain. 
  3. Your gutters are sagging or pulling away. 
  4. Stains or water damage appear on exterior walls. 
  5. You live in a bushfire-prone area. 

Bushfire Readiness Checklist: 

✅ Install ember guards to your gutters 
✅ Regularly clear gutters and roof valleys. 
✅ Remove flammable materials from around your home. 
✅ Practice your evacuation plan with your family. 

The risk of bushfires is real—and growing. Don’t wait until the flames are at your doorstep. Protect your home now, starting from the top down. 

We're here to help you build a safer, more resilient home.

Talk to our team today about ember guard solutions for your property.

Click Here

 

Reference List 

  1. Statista. (2023). Impact of the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com 
  1. Bowman, D. M. J. S., Balch, J. K., Artaxo, P., Bond, W. J., Cochrane, M. A., D’Antonio, C. M., … & Swetnam, T. W. (2017). Fire in the Earth System. Science, 324(5926), 481–484. doi:10.1126/science.1163886 
  1. NASA. (2023). Bushfire season length and climate trends. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov 
  1. Leonard, J., Blanchi, R., Bowditch, P., & Besnard, V. (2016). Building loss due to wildfire: Trends and future risk influences. CSIRO Bushfire Research. Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au 
  1. Standards Australia. (2018). AS3959-2018: Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Retrieved from https://www.standards.org.au