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 know how to prepare for the rainy season in the Philippines, and the rain and wind it brings. 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, rusty spots, 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, one of the ways how to prepare for the rainy season is to check 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. It can also help you avoid branches falling and either hurting someone or breaking power lines.
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 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 walls and ceilings.
Look for cracks, holes, and other damages that may let water into your home. You should also check for peeling paint and discoloration on your walls, which are signs of water damage that could be aggravated by the rainy season.
You should also inspect your ceilings for signs of moisture, molds, or discoloration, which could mean leakage from your roof. The high humidity levels caused by the rainy season may worsen these problems and lead to more damage.
You may be able to repair minor issues with products you can find at your local hardware store, but it’s always best to hire a professional to see the extent of the damage and do the job for better results.
Check Doors and Windows
Another important thing to check to prepare your home for the rainy season is checking your doors and windows, especially in older houses.
Older windows may not provide weatherproofing as well as they used to — rainwater may easily seep through cracked caulking or old glasses may crack under the pressure of strong winds. Reinforce weatherproofing by reapplying caulking or replacing cracked glasses.
You should also make sure that your external doors don’t have cracks or signs of rotting, and are functioning properly. Make sure that they close completely shut and, if they have waterproofing, that it is still intact so they can protect your home from heavy rains.
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.
Check for and Exterminate Termites
Termites thrive in moist environments, so they tend to be more active during the rainy season in the Philippines. Additionally, the rain makes wood soft and thus easier for termites to chew.
So, if you live in an area with lots of termites or have wood in your home, you should include checking and exterminating termites in your checklist for preparing for the rainy season.
The unpredictable weather during the rainy season could make it difficult to properly treat termites. If they’re not treated thoroughly, termites could cause major damage to your home by the end of the rainy season.
Prepare for Floods
When we talk about preparing for the rainy season, we cannot forget about the floods. Some areas are more prone to flooding than others, but it’s always best practice to be ready.
Start by placing important documents in waterproof containers and keep them in a safe place. If possible, keep appliances in elevated areas and prepare a plan for moving larger appliances like refrigerators.
Another way to prepare for floods is by buying sandbags to place on doors and other openings. These can prevent floodwater from entering your home.
Don’t forget to prepare your pantry emergency kits as well. Stock your pantry with non-perishable food and refresh your emergency kits with essentials listed in our safety tips during a typhoon in case the power goes out or you’re unable to leave your home for a few days.
Stay Safe This Rainy Season!
The rainy season in the Philippines typically lasts from June to November. So, you have plenty of time to execute these tips on how to prepare your home for the rainy season.
Remember: it pays to be prepared!
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