Home Maintenance - 5 Tips For Prepping Your Home For the Wet Rainy Season
Your home is by far your biggest investment.
It's where you eat, sleep and seek refuge from the pressures of the outside world.
If you take care of her, she will take care of you.
But if not, watch out.
Your house will bite back.
Fortunately, by following these five simple tips, your home will reward you with years of comfort and warmth.
A little maintenance and forethought can go a long way.
Every area of the world has different concerns.
But, most of these tips are appropriate anywhere it rains.
The timing of it might vary a little.
Here in Panama we are just about to transition into rainy season, and our tips start first with the roof.
This is the time you need to check your roof carefully for any leaks.
While there is still time to get it fixed.
If you wait for the rains to start, you are going to be unable to perform the needed repairs.
Or if you can, they are going to be much more expensive due to the need for temporary protection.
Next on your list of maintenance items will be to check and clean your air conditioning or heating unit.
Depending on where you live, the rainy season is going to be hot (like in Panama) or cold like in Seattle.
Here in Panama, most homes use split type air conditioners.
But the rules are the same regardless of whether you have an air conditioner or a furnace.
Refer to your maintenance manual and clean all the filters and moving parts.
Make sure everything is working correctly for those hot or cold days that come with the rain.
Now is not the time you want to have to rip out your exterior units, so perform the required maintenance on those as well.
The next item on your list should be to check the caulking around your windows and doors for leaks.
Once the rain starts pouring down, there is no way you are going to be able to get out to caulk your windows and doors.
You won't be able to give them a chance to dry properly before the next down pour.
Water leaking through your windows will cause rust spots on your walls, and can cause the paint to peel.
Rain will very quickly rot out any wood or drywall that is exposed.
Even in a concrete home, once the concrete is saturated, it can take a very long time to dry so it paints properly again.
Forth on your list should be to spray for pests.
Ants, fleas, termites and cockroaches are all looking to make a home in your house.
Once the rain starts pouring down, the bugs are going to be looking for a cozy place to hang out.
Insects in your home can cause damage to any wooden structures.
Even if you don't have any wood in your home, they can spread disease to your family, they will be annoying, and they are very difficult to get rid of once they are established.
Call your exterminator and have him fog for the types of bugs that you are concerned about.
Take his advice for how often your home should be treated.
In Panama, it's around once every 3 months or so.
Finally, check on all your plumbing fixtures.
Crawl underneath your cabinets and make sure you have no leaks.
If you do, get them fixed immediately.
Leaking faucets cause mold which will make you sick, and will damage your wood cabinetry.
When it's raining outside, the high humidity makes mold even worse.
Make sure that all the plumbing lines that go to your fixtures, as well as the drain lines that go out are in good shape and not in need of replacement.
There you have it.
5 simple steps that will prepare your home for the upcoming rainy season.
It doesn't take a lot of time, and it will be worth the effort when you can come home to a dry and cool home.
And know that your family is protected from mold and insect caused diseases.
So start your inspections and maintenance today, before it is too late.
If you are unclear about any of the steps, call your construction professional for advice or to get it done for you.
A home is your refuge and your comfort.
It's the place you go at the end of the day to relax.
Protect her the way she protects you.
It's where you eat, sleep and seek refuge from the pressures of the outside world.
If you take care of her, she will take care of you.
But if not, watch out.
Your house will bite back.
Fortunately, by following these five simple tips, your home will reward you with years of comfort and warmth.
A little maintenance and forethought can go a long way.
Every area of the world has different concerns.
But, most of these tips are appropriate anywhere it rains.
The timing of it might vary a little.
Here in Panama we are just about to transition into rainy season, and our tips start first with the roof.
This is the time you need to check your roof carefully for any leaks.
While there is still time to get it fixed.
If you wait for the rains to start, you are going to be unable to perform the needed repairs.
Or if you can, they are going to be much more expensive due to the need for temporary protection.
Next on your list of maintenance items will be to check and clean your air conditioning or heating unit.
Depending on where you live, the rainy season is going to be hot (like in Panama) or cold like in Seattle.
Here in Panama, most homes use split type air conditioners.
But the rules are the same regardless of whether you have an air conditioner or a furnace.
Refer to your maintenance manual and clean all the filters and moving parts.
Make sure everything is working correctly for those hot or cold days that come with the rain.
Now is not the time you want to have to rip out your exterior units, so perform the required maintenance on those as well.
The next item on your list should be to check the caulking around your windows and doors for leaks.
Once the rain starts pouring down, there is no way you are going to be able to get out to caulk your windows and doors.
You won't be able to give them a chance to dry properly before the next down pour.
Water leaking through your windows will cause rust spots on your walls, and can cause the paint to peel.
Rain will very quickly rot out any wood or drywall that is exposed.
Even in a concrete home, once the concrete is saturated, it can take a very long time to dry so it paints properly again.
Forth on your list should be to spray for pests.
Ants, fleas, termites and cockroaches are all looking to make a home in your house.
Once the rain starts pouring down, the bugs are going to be looking for a cozy place to hang out.
Insects in your home can cause damage to any wooden structures.
Even if you don't have any wood in your home, they can spread disease to your family, they will be annoying, and they are very difficult to get rid of once they are established.
Call your exterminator and have him fog for the types of bugs that you are concerned about.
Take his advice for how often your home should be treated.
In Panama, it's around once every 3 months or so.
Finally, check on all your plumbing fixtures.
Crawl underneath your cabinets and make sure you have no leaks.
If you do, get them fixed immediately.
Leaking faucets cause mold which will make you sick, and will damage your wood cabinetry.
When it's raining outside, the high humidity makes mold even worse.
Make sure that all the plumbing lines that go to your fixtures, as well as the drain lines that go out are in good shape and not in need of replacement.
There you have it.
5 simple steps that will prepare your home for the upcoming rainy season.
It doesn't take a lot of time, and it will be worth the effort when you can come home to a dry and cool home.
And know that your family is protected from mold and insect caused diseases.
So start your inspections and maintenance today, before it is too late.
If you are unclear about any of the steps, call your construction professional for advice or to get it done for you.
A home is your refuge and your comfort.
It's the place you go at the end of the day to relax.
Protect her the way she protects you.
