How to safe your home during monsoon...?

The monsoon season is a time for home owners to make some changes in their homes, avoiding small / big losses. India is predicted to receive normal monsoon rains in 2020. However, as we cheer for the arrival of the monsoon, exposure to water and moisture should not show any laxity to protect our homes as it can be harmful. This is especially true for areas where heavy rains are likely.

 

1. Water proof exterior

Let us first start with the exterior of our house, as this is the part that is directly exposed to the rain and this is where potential seepages enter the house. During the rainy season, moisture stored in the ground may rise. Eventually, moisture leaks out from the exterior of the house and causes moist patches on the interior walls. Apart from the fact that these patches are actually affecting the health of your home, they will spoil the smell of the house, cool, moist and invite fungus.

You should first check for any cracks or damage that may appear in the exterior walls and fix it immediately. Another effective way to prevent seepage is to use water-proof paint on exterior walls. Over time, you will need to re-paint the exterior. Owners of large open spaces should also ensure that there is no obstruction of the drains in case of recession and that the rain water can drain freely.

2. Water proof terrace

The roof is as much exposed to the elements of nature as the exterior walls and plays an equally important role in protecting your home. Since most of the houses in India have flat roofs, it is important to ensure that rain water drains easily. The first step towards waterproofing your roof / roof will be to ensure that it is clean and water does not accumulate anywhere when it rains. To keep the roof relatively clean, trees should be trimmed nearby.

Another way to prevent seepage is to apply multiple layers of elastomeric coating to the roof. In addition to protecting it against water, this coating will also insulate it, preventing heat loss from inside the building.

3.  Fixed drainage box system

A proper drainage system is important, to ensure that there is no waterlogging in any area of ​​the house. In addition to ensuring that there are no obstructions with the drainage system of the house, also ensure that storm water drains outside the house are not blocked by silt or debris. Generally, the civil authorities in your area should take care of this. If this has not happened, file a complaint and complete the work on a priority basis.

4. Check Electrical wire system of you house

The majority of lightning accidents occur during the rainy season. Consequently, homeowners should ensure that power cables do not come into contact with water. This is where earth leakage circuit breakers come into the picture, as it avoids electrocution and electric shock.

Fix all your faulty electrical sockets and equipment on time. Note that circuit breakers, fuses, socket outlets, plugs and switches may malfunction when exposed to water and moisture. Try not to fix them on your own. It is not advisable to operate electric appliances in the rain.

5. Protect you furniture from moisture

All wood items in the home react adversely to moisture and humidity, which are specific to the rainy season. In addition to making their precious articles of furniture lose their shape and form, these conditions also make them vulnerable to termites and pests.

To protect furniture from moisture and moisture:

· Apply a fresh coat of varnish / lacquer to protect the wood from swelling.

· Keep wooden furniture away from the wall.

· Buy a humidifier to keep temperature and humidity in check.

· Do not use wet cloth to clean the furniture.

How to maintain your home tips that can help you save heavily on repairs

Buying a house is a costly affair for which you have to spend years of savings and take huge amount of loan. Therefore, you always want to be there with your family. But the cost of living in your home can increase if you have to incur major costs on repairs. While many of the expenses on home repairs are inevitable, some expenses can be eliminated by maintaining the roof, foundation and other important parts of your structure. In this write-up, we have shared some simple tips that you can reduce significantly on home repair and maintenance.

1) Test your sump pump to avoid flood

Basements and foundations require regular maintenance to avoid major damage due to climate effects and natural disasters. To increase the longevity of the foundation, you must take precautions that are the last line of protection against flooding, condensation construction and draining water. You should consider testing the sump pump every 6 months.

2) Maintain Plumbing

If you want the water to flow easily through the bathroom, kitchen and sink, then you should maintain good hygiene at these places. Toilets and sinks should be used regularly; otherwise, frozen and solid layers of calcium carbonate can cause obstruction in pipes and taps. In addition, you must prevent fat, oil, dirt, and hair to enter the drainage pipe. In the case of accidental spills of oil or fat down the drain, consider flowing hot water down your drain with some dishwashing liquid. To prevent hair from going into the water drains, you should use a hair strainer for the bathtub.

Although acids are helpful in cleaning the clogs in the pipe, you should not overuse it as it can cause considerable damage to your plumbing, including premature leakage.

3) Keep rodents and termites away

Mice and termites can cause slow but heavy damage to your property. Mice can build their nests in AC, wardrobes, electric wiring systems, bookshelves and garden machinery. They can damage household goods, eat groceries, and cause extensive damage to property.

Similar to rodents, termites can pose considerable exposure to wooden furniture. Termites are more likely to grow in moist areas where sunlight does not reach properly. So take special care of such area. If possible, spray anti-termite solution once a year in wooden doors and furniture units.

4) Paint the house every few years

Painting the house once every few years not only give the property a new look, but also allows you to detect sealant areas and cracks in the wall. You should apply primer before applying paint. Additionally, if there is a moisture issue in the wall, look for a waterproofing solution. If odor at home is an issue, consider adding a few drops of vanilla to your paint.

5) Maintain your roof

Taking care of roofing issues, you should stay away from costly repairs. You should look for leaks and vents due to water damage. It is best to inspect the roof professionally at least once a year.