The Building Commission says shade sails have the potential to impair a home, rather than improve it.
It says a consumer recently had their entire home contents damaged by flood - the result of an outdoor sail-cloth. While the shade-sail was properly anchored in place, the positioning of its brackets meant rainwater runoff to the gutters on the garage roof could not cope with a heavy downpour.
The Building Commission says if in doubt, a check of the shade-sail’s effect on the gutters and rainwater handling by a roof plumber could avoid this situation. It says depending on the size of the shade-sail, its location and purpose, it may require a building permit or a planning permit.
"For standalone shade sails, the size of the sail, the type of soil into which the posts are being concreted and the height of the posts will determine the depth of concrete footings and the size posts which will be required," the Building Commission says.
"For shade-sails that require anchorage, the structure to which the sail-cloth to is fixed should be considered to ensure it is secure and safe. A shade-sail in windy conditions can generate a lift with enough force to rip away a post or damage a structurally inadequate building to which it is anchored.
"The sailcloth can also tear in high winds if not properly erected."
Balconies to which the shade-sail is attached also need to be structurally sound.
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