For homeownersGuide
Monsoon-proofing your home: the roof, drain and wiring checks that matter
Most monsoon damage starts small — a blocked drain, a hairline roof crack, a damp switchboard. Here is what to check before the first heavy rain.
One heavy downpour is enough to turn a slow drain into a flooded courtyard, or a small roof crack into a stained ceiling. The fixes are cheap before the rain and expensive after it.
- Clear rooftop drains and gutters of leaves, dust and plastic.
- Look for cracks around water tanks, parapets and where pipes enter the roof.
- Check the slope. Water should run to the drain, not pool in corners.
- Test every floor trap in bathrooms and the courtyard with a bucket of water.
Water and wiring are the dangerous combination. Outdoor sockets, the main board and any wiring that runs along exterior walls deserve a look from an electrician before the season starts.
- Seal window frames where you see gaps or old, cracked silicone.
- Move stored items off basement and ground-floor storeroom floors.
- Keep a torch, power bank and emergency numbers somewhere easy to find.
