Monsoons are by far one of the most exciting seasons of the year, when you can sit in the balcony of your house and watch the raindrops kiss the surface of the earth.
It is a season to enjoy by sitting on your porch with a hot coffee and watching the rain pour down amongst the trees. Monsoons are a beautiful time of the year- the heavy rains, the cool breeze, the fresh smell of wet soil, the soothing sound of falling raindrops- they are enough to make anyone fall in love with the season.But unfortunately, monsoons are a kill joy to our homes, and we often end up with stale, mold-infected, dripping and cracked walls with the paint peeling off.The most common concerns are damp patches on the wall, leakages, moulds, wall cracks and fungi.Following small steps can go a long way and help you sail through monsoons with ease.
Check for any cracks in the walls and seal them
Over time, the walls of your house can develop weather cracks, which typically start near the door and window frames. These cracks allow moisture to get into the structure of your building and cause damp patches. All these gaps need to be filled with crack fill putty. Once the gaps and cracks are filled, all the loose plaster is removed and the wall is then repainted. Just make sure you do this before the monsoon starts.
Keep the drains unclogged and vicinity clean
With rain gushing into the drains from every corner, there are high chances of debris accumulating and clogging the drains. It would be wise to keep an eye out for the drainage system. Make sure you unclog and clean the drains. This not only keeps away foul odor but also prevents insects from breeding and spreading diseases. Sprinkle bleaching agents to keep away rodents and other small animals that may try to seek shelter from the rain.
Ensure Proper Water Drainage
Improper functioning of the drainage system in your house can also lead to dampness on the walls. Check for leakage in drainage pipes and water tanks placed on the roof. These drainage pipes get overfilled with rainwater during this season. Hence if you notice any broken pipe or leakages, seal it immediately. To avoid the accumulation of water, regularly clean the drain holes that may get clogged with leaves and other debris.
Roof tiles Cleaning
Roof tiles get the most affected during the season and should be treated with a solution to close gaps and prevent leaks. Tiles can also be protected with a coat of active water repellent technology. Such agents form a thin but continuous layer that does not allow water to permeate the paint film. Water repellency with antifungal and anti-algal formula must be used to resist black spots on tiles.
Clean Your Wooden Furniture
Due to moisture in the house, the wooden furniture can become wet and leave moulds on upholstery. Since it is not possible to wash it, or keep it in the sun during monsoon, try to prevent the situation in the first place. Clean it with a dry cloth. However, if you are already facing this problem, then take 2-3 tablespoons of salt. Keep it in a cotton pouch and place it between the linings of the sofa. Change the salt every two days, once it absorbs all the moisture and becomes damp.
Foul Smelling Rugs and Carpets
Carpets can pick up the dampness in the weather very soon and they start smelling foul. This is why a renewed sense of interest should be shown in vacuum cleaning the carpets and rugs on a daily basis. This act would prevent accumulation of dust and moisture in them. A handy tip in this respect would be to wrap the carpets or rugs with polythene sheets to prevent water damage as well as insect infestation.
Choose the Right Window Dressings
It is a good idea to use heavy fabric for your curtains in the summer – like blackout drapes so that you keep out the excess heat and light. However, these curtains are impractical for the monsoon.
You need light to enter, and you need curtains that you can wash and dry easily. Make sure you have another set of curtains that are lightweight.
Keep Humidity Absorbing Plants
While you definitely want to keep plants that need too much water away during monsoon, you must bring home shrubs that remove moisture from the air. Some of these plants are boston ferns, peace lily, areca palm, english ivy, and spider plant.
The monsoon season, however heavenly and peaceful, brings with it some drawbacks- water through cracks, clogged drains, fungus and mould and all sorts of bugs and insects. But you can still enjoy the splendid season by following some simple hacks. So, now just enjoy the exhilarating joy the rain brings with it.
