Rain-proof your residence
|
Flaws in construction come to the fore the moment your house gets soaked with incessant rain
|
Monsoon is the time of the year when your home needs your full attention. Most of the defects in construction hitherto not manifest will become more evident in the rainy season. Such flaws have to be immediately taken care of to prevent further damage.
A leaking roof is the most common problem in many households. If you live in an apartment, this is more pronounced in the top floor where the rain water gets stagnated. Seepage through the roof leaves ugly marks on the inner ceiling after it dries up. The most effective way to prevent the seepage is to avoid stagnation of rain water. Ensure that the roof has sufficient gradient to completely and quickly drain out the water collected. Any undulations in the terrace floor should be levelled by applying cement plaster. Any cracks in the roof slab, if found, should be properly covered up by using special grade cement grout.
Clogging of drains is another common cause for the stagnation of rain water. Check your drain pipes periodically to ensure they are not clogged. Placing an iron mesh at the mouth of the drain pipes is an effective method to prevent the clogging of drains. Get the terrace cleaned occasionally, otherwise the debris that gets collected there may block the pipes.
Wall hassles
Not only the roof, but also the wall is a victim of the vagaries of the monsoon. The walls whose outer face is exposed to intense rainfall, will allow seepage. To prevent seepage through walls, the terrace wall surface should have a gentle slope towards the inner side the building.
This will cause the water to flow onto the terrace instead of flowing along the wall’s outer surface to the ground. Providing roof overhangs where ever possible will protect the walls from being exposed to rainfall.
If you have a large balcony or an open sit-out area, ensure the rainwater doesn’t stand for longer periods at these places. This is more important particularly when you have marble flooring at these locations. The gradual action of slightly acidic rainwater may discolour or even eat away the marble. With the help of expertise, install things before the monsoon, so that not even a single drop of rainwater drenches your home.
CHANDRASEKHAR YADAVILLI
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Property Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Kochi
Malabar
Thiruvananthapuram
