Getting your home ready for the rainy season

Depending whereabouts in South Africa you live, you may be coming to the end of your rainy season or be heading into it. Whichever the case might be, it's never a bad time to consider how rainproof your home is and what necessary steps you can take to make your home more able to withstand adverse weather conditions. Jawitz Properties highlights some of the best ways to get your home ready for the rainy season.

First things first: clean your gutters

A gutter's job is to catch rainwater and guide it away from your roof and your home. If it is clogged up with leaves, twigs, small branches and other debris, it will not be able to do its job efficiently. Thanks to trees shedding their leaves in autumn, areas that get lots of winter rainfall are at particular risk of having ineffective gutters when the rains come. Over and above this, blockages make your gutters heavier than they were designed to be, which can cause them to break or snap off. Make the time or necessary arrangements to clear out your gutters now and you'll thank yourself when the rainy season arrives.

Check your roof for signs of damage

If possible, you definitely want to avoid doing a complete roof replacement, as this can be an expensive undertaking. Before the start of the rainy season, do a thorough check for any broken roof tiles or loose shingles. Ensure that these are replaced to avoid water seeping into your walls and ceilings.

Examine your ceilings

It's not just the exterior of your home that needs to be looked at. You should also take a look at your ceilings for any sign of leaks or mould. Any discolouration that you see - from water rings to mould - points to the likelihood of a leaky ceiling that needs attention. The earlier you pay attention to a problem, the easier and more affordable it will be to fix.

Get ready for the wind

The rainy months often bring with them severe winds, and your home needs to be ready to withstand these. If your carport has not been well maintained and could cause danger to your property (or your neighbour's property) during a storm, get it fixed. If there are large trees on your property that could potentially fall and ultimately cause damage then it's time to look at getting them cut back especially if they are not looking healthy and stable.

Clamp down on damp

When the weather turns continuously damp - as it so often can in the winter months - dampness can cause a musty smell to invade your cupboards. It can also cause wood to rot, mould to grow, paint to flake from your walls and various other undesirable side effects. Damp can be caused by various factors, including lack of adequate ventilation or waterlogged ground around your home.

If you have noticed any dampness in or around your home, it's best to get it checked out by a professional. If it's in the early stages, you can quickly take steps to alleviate it. Ensure that your home gets as much fresh air as possible and make sure that all leaking pipes or roofs are repaired as quickly as possible. Home insulation can also assist in keeping your home warm and dry.

Home maintenance is an unavoidable aspect of being a homeowner and when it's time to sell, issues like damaged roofs, damp and damaged ceilings will put a "damper" on your property's value. For more information about ways to maintain your home and make it easier to sell when the time comes, contact Jawitz Properties today.