The start of the monsoon season brings with it the fresh smell of rain, greenery all around you and never-ending cups of hot tea. Your home, however, might not be looking forward to the rains as much as you are. Endless moisture can take a toll on your home, dampening the walls and inviting insects into it. This monsoon, protect your home from the gloomy side of the rainy season by taking proactive steps to weatherproof it. Here are the most effective ways to spruce up your home and ensure that your home can withstand even the heaviest downpours.
Contents
If you have large, heavy fabric carpets on your floors, it’s time to pack them up and keep them away in storage. Heavy materials attract moisture and are very hard to dry out. During the monsoon, their dampness can make your house feels colder and start smelling musty. Apart from this, heavy furnishings can also have a damaging effect on your health. The dampness they provide offers mold the perfect environment to grow and thrive. This is especially damaging if someone in your family has respiratory issues as the spores they release into the air can exacerbate them. You can use bamboo mats and light cotton upholstery instead as these materials dry easily.
Once the rains set in, it’s difficult to repair any leaks as the sealant might not dry in time. So to avoid leaky ceilings and windows throughout the monsoon, you should get everything fixed well in advance. If there are cracks in your walls or gaps in your window frames, water will soon start to seep in through them. Conduct a quick inspection of all walls, ceilings and windows to ensure that there are no cracks. If you do spot one, call a professional to fix it immediately. By doing this, the monsoons rains will stay out of your home.
The rains can make your walls wet and create unsightly damp stains on them. These stains can be very hard to remove and often permanently disfigure your walls. Damp walls can also be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which can put the health of you and your family at risk. To prevent these things from happening, you should get your walls painted with a waterproof coat before the monsoon sets in. If you are planning on giving your walls a new coat of paint entirely, consider choosing a waterproof variety as you won’t have to spend too much time on maintenance later. You can read our blog on the top colour trends of 2018 to find the best colour for your walls.
You need to give your indoor plants special attention and care during the monsoon. Having too many plants indoors can increase the humidity in your home because they retain moisture. But be careful when you move them to your balcony as some plants cannot withstand the rain. Snake plant, for example, can’t survive with too much water and will most likely die outside in the rain. Money plant, on the other hand, that is a popular indoor plant in most Indian households, will thrive in your balcony during the monsoons.
With the start of the monsoon season also comes the nightmare of mosquitoes. The large pools of water everywhere offer mosquitoes the perfect place to lay their eggs. Because of this, diseases like dengue and malaria spike during the rainy season. To protect your family from illness, you need to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. The best way to do this is by cutting them off at the source. Preventing water from stagnating in your home can stop mosquitoes from breeding. Ensure that you don’t keep vessels or buckets of water overnight or let water pool in any area for a long time.
When it’s cold and wet outside, insects usually burrow into warm and dry places to rest in. Usually, this means that you will find insects in your cupboard nesting in your clothes. Before the rains, you need to ensure that you place insect repellants in your cupboards to prevent insects from getting in. Naphthalene balls are a safe bet as they can protect your clothes without leaving a strong scent. If you prefer natural alternatives, neem leaves and cloves are just as effective.
The onset of the monsoon signals the end of the sweltering heat of summer and the start of colder days ahead. Stay warm and cosy during the cold monsoon days by snuggling in your soft blankets! If you’ve put away your heavy bedding during the summer, it’s time to get them out again. Make sure they air out for at least a day before you start using them as they might smell musty.
These tips will help you enjoy the monsoon rains with no worries. At Shriram Properties, we understand how natural beauty is essential for you to love your home. Explore our homes set amidst lush green surroundings to find your dream home.
