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How to waterproof your home

According to the Meteorology Centre, the UAE could begin to experience showers year-round. If cloud seeding missions are successful, they could increase the chance of rainfall by 15-25%.

So, with more downpours on the way, there’s some useful tips from home maintenance experts Hitches & Glitches, about how to prepare for the next cloudburst.

 The roof

Rainwater can seriously damage your roof, well before you see any signs of damp or leakage. You should have the condition of your roof tiles, as well as flashings and coping if relevant, checked every six months.

If roof drains or guttering and drainpipes become blocked, with sand, leaves and dust, get them cleaned. It may cause water to back up and overflow onto the roof, down the walls or into ceilings. It can also cause damage to window frames and sills as well as skylights and porches.

Windows & doors

When we experience the cooler winter months and the heavy downpours of rain, after months of hot and humid weather, year after year, windows and patio doors are rarely 100% air or water-tight.

Frames can become damaged, glazing seals split or loose, or the entire unit can become out of square, leaving gaps where water can seep in. Newer windows and doors can also leak, but this is mainly due to poor house design, installation and or maintenance.

Although most modern windows and doors are hailed to be “maintenance free” there is still some maintenance that needs to be done to optimise performance during inclement weather.

Make sure to check the sealant around the outside of your windows and doors, ensuring there is no splits or gaps, it should be a continuous seal.

Check the cleanliness of any drainage channels in windows and patio doors – if debris, leaves, or even dust falls into these channels it can often block the natural flow of water and cause pooling.

Fitting foam strips to the inside of the door and window frames, can make a door close more tightly. It comes in a variety of widths and thicknesses so it’s ideal for odd-shaped cracks and gaps and sticks easily to the inside of the door frame.

Installing draft excluders to the bottom of doors will help. Typically made of a narrow sponge of rubber or vinyl tubing that comes attached to a wood or metal mounting strip, will repel water trying to seep underneath your door.

In general

Make sure your outdoor electrical sockets are waterproof, if not switch them off at the wall and cover them with plastic. You can also isolate them by switching them off at the electrical control panel.

Cover outdoor furniture and your BBQ (customized covers or just inexpensive plastic sheets will do the job). Bring cushions indoors.

Turn off garden sprinklers to save water and money

Bring your pets inside, thunder and lightning can frighten and disorientate animals

If your house is situated at the bottom of a slope, use sandbags to block driveways, paths and garage doors.

And don’t forget, after the rain has stopped…

Brush surface rainwater into flower beds and lawns

Why not invest in a rain barrel to catch water which can be used later to flush drains, clean patios and water plants

Wipe down your outdoor furniture with a dry cloth

Sit down, enjoy the fresh air, have a cup of coffee and think about firing up the BBQ!! Oh! And let the cat out