Monsoon Safety Checklist: 7 Tips to Rainproof Your Home Ahead of the Rainy Season

It is the middle of July, and the monsoon mystique has rendered the air thick with romance. Miraculously, you have managed to score a third date with someone you've been crushing on for the longest time.

You've invited them over to your place for some chai and pakoras (the true testament to one's culinary abilities) and, if all goes well, a side of Netflix and chill for the latter half of the evening.

Seated on the balcony, the two of you watch the rains pick up pace. Your crush takes a tentative sip of your tea before their face splits into a wide smile. This is going extremely well, you think to yourself. And then, disaster strikes.

Just as your crush reaches for the crunchy pakoras, a sudden gush of water falls on them out of nowhere. You look up, and there it is, the huge crack in the ceiling that you'd been meaning to fix.

Apologising profusely, you rush inside to bring them a towel. Except you suddenly slip and fall on your back. A sideways glance confirms your suspicions — you'd forgotten to close the windows, and the rainwater had infiltrated your home.

Helping yourself up with a pained groan, you limp your way to your room after closing the windows shut. But just as you switch on the lights, the fuse goes off. This day couldn't get any worse, you think. Well…

On the balcony, you find your crush looking uncertain, sitting with their legs folded up. On the floor, you see rainwater oozing out of your drain. And that's the final straw.

To avoid such a fate during the upcoming monsoon season, The Weather Channel India brings to you some tips that'll help you rainproof your home so you can enjoy the monsoons instead of dread them!

Water is sneaky and can seep through any cracks and crevices in the walls or roof of your home. To keep your home dry, seal these gaps with a waterproof coating and treat any water damage on the walls or ceiling of your home. If you see paint peeling, there's most likely dampness and seepage in your walls. This may require proper treatment by a professional.

Cracks through which leakages occur can weaken your wall and even give way to fungal growth. Not only do these cause a musty odour and are unsightly to look at, but they can also cause breathing difficulties in the residents if left as is.

If you see patches of mould or mildew growing on your walls, scrape them off and wipe the surface with a mixture of water and bleach. This will act as a cleaning agent while disinfecting the wall and preventing mould from growing in that area again.

If your drains are clogged, they can turn into the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. And it could also result in water backing up.

Ensure your drainage system is in proper working order, and give it a thorough inspection before the rains. Remove any debris from the drains and rainwater pipes. Checking external and internal pipelines for cracks and leaks is always a good idea to prevent mishaps.

If you have metal-framed doors and windows, painting them before the rains begin is recommended because they're prone to rusting.

Wooden frames, on the other hand, have the propensity of swelling due to the high moisture content in the air. You can use sandpaper to scrape off the part that gets jammed or call a carpenter to make sure they're fixed properly.

Adding rubber gaskets at the base of your main and balcony doors can prevent rainwater from entering your home. Any gaps between walls, doors, and windows must be sealed with silicone or foam sealants.

And once the rainy season has begun, ensure your windows and doors are closed to prevent rainwater and insects from coming in.

Inspecting all electrical connections is one of the most crucial safety checks ahead of the rains.

If there's water leakage from the roof, the rainwater could easily reach concealed electrical conduits. In case there is any history of leakage near any switchboards, repair the same to arrest the chances of such leaks.

Have an electrician check if all electrical connections and switches are secure. Consider installing a voltage regulator to eliminate risks of electrical malfunctions like shocks or short-circuit.

When not in use, it is better to unplug any chargers or other appliances.

Wooden or metal furniture and furnishings, including cub boards and railings, can get musty or damaged due to fungus or termite infestations. Swap out heavy carpets for thinner, washable ones.

Since wood tends to absorb moisture and swell during the rainy season, it is advisable to coat wooden flooring, doors and furniture with wax or varnish. Further, keep them as dry as possible by placing them such that they aren't exposed to direct rain.

Place camphor balls, neem leaves, or cloves in the cupboards to keep your clothes from smelling musty. You can also use moisture-absorbing materials such as gel packets to prevent your clothes, linen, books, and documents from getting damp.

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