The end of May usually indicates the end of the summer season and the start of rainy days in the Philippines. This also means that the typhoon season is nearing.
Because of the geographical location of the Philippines, it is prone to experiencing typhoon after typhoon during the rainy season. Filipinos are also known to have endured several super typhoons in the past.
Wherever you are in the Philippines, there is a high chance that your area will be affected by at least one typhoon or tropical storm during the rainy season. These weather conditions bring about high winds and heavy rains.
To keep your family safe during this season, you should make certain that your home is prepared for the rain and wind. Here is a checklist of what you need to do to ensure your house is well-maintained in time for the rainy season:
Check Your Roof
The roofing of your house serves as your family’s main protection against the rain. Having a well-maintained roof during the rainy season allows you to feel safe and sleep soundly even when there are strong winds and rains outside.
When checking your roof, look for holes, loose shingles, and broken tiles. These damages, even small ones, can let water seep through your roof and damage your walls and ceilings.
That’s why it’s important that you repair these problems before things get worse. If the damage is more serious than you can handle, it’s best to hire a professional to do the job.
Clean Your Gutters
Your house’s rain gutter protects the structure from rain and water damage. It does so by channeling water away from your roof and preventing it from collecting in places where it could cause rotting, deterioration, or mold. Your gutter system also helps you avoid water from flowing to your roof’s edge and seeping through your walls.
Before the rainy season officially starts, you should take the time to go up to your roof and check your gutter system. Then, clean any debris and dirt that may have accumulated on your gutters over the summer.
It’s also important that you check your gutters for blockages. You wouldn’t want to deal with a clogged pipe and backflows once the rainy season starts.
There are various tools and chemicals you can buy online that will help you clear a blocked gutter and downpipe. However, if you want to ensure that no debris is left behind, you can hire a professional to clean your gutter and get rid of any blockages.
Check Your Surroundings for Trees
Typhoons often bring about winds that are strong enough to cut off branches and even topple old trees. So, if you have any trees near your property, you should see if they need trimming. Trimming the branches and leaves of the trees near your house can help you lessen the debris falling on your house and clogging up your gutter.
You should also see if there are old trees that might need to be cut down near your property. Old trees that are rotting or are badly damaged may be too weak to withstand strong winds and have a higher risk of falling on your house.
Inspect Your Walls and Ceilings
After taking care of the exterior of your house, you also need to maintain its interior. The first thing you need to do is check your wall and ceilings. Look for cracks, holes, and other damages that may let water into your home. Then, repair it using products you can find at your local hardware store or hire a professional to do the job.
You should also inspect your walls and ceilings for signs of moisture, molds, or discoloration. The high humidity levels caused by the rainy season may worsen these problems and lead to more damage. To address these issues, clean the affected areas and repaint them. You can also opt to seek help from a professional for better results.
Get Your Electrical System Checked
Another important thing to do before the rainy season is to get your electrical system checked by a professional. To start, hire a licensed electrician and ask them to inspect your electrical system.
They should specifically look for exposed wirings and damaged circuits. This is essential because when exposed wirings and damaged circuits get in contact with water, they can cause short circuits and even start electrical fires.
If the electrician finds issues with your electrical system, have them repair the problems as soon as possible. It’s better if you can have them fixed before the rainy season officially starts.
Keep your family safe during the rainy season by ensuring that your home is properly maintained. The checklist provided above should be sufficient to help you remember everything you need to check outside and inside your house.