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Handy tips to protect your home during monsoon

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Apart from bringing you the much-needed respite from the sweltering heat of summer, monsoon is a beautiful season when the earth becomes greener. While the season freshens the air and adds life to the surroundings, heavy rains and moisture can dampen the walls of your home and wreak havoc on your property. What’s more, the damp places inside the house can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes, insects, mould and mildew, making things worse.

If you do not want the rains to dampen your spirits or home, you must take simple steps and rain-proof your property before the onset of monsoon. Besides this, you must also buy home insurance in India to keep your property protected against such natural calamities, fire and other damages.

Potential damages that monsoon can cause to your home

If you reside in a region that receives heavy rainfall, monsoon can be a real nightmare. Here’s a look at the damages your property may suffer from during the monsoon season.

• Cracks and leakages
• Damp walls
• Unpleasant odours
• Clogged pipes and drains
• Bacterial infestation
• Growth of mould and mildew
• Flooding

Tips to make your home monsoon ready

Whether you live in a bungalow or a rented apartment, you can follow these simple tips to minimise water damage during the monsoon season.

1. Waterproof the exteriors: The exterior of your home bears the maximum brunt of rains. Hence, you must waterproof it first to prevent potential seepages. Many times, accumulated moisture on the exterior eventually seeps into the house and causes damp patches, mould and mildew on the interior walls.

   Therefore, look for cracks and damages on the exterior walls and fix them before the onset of the monsoon. You can also paint the walls to cover the hairline cracks that may otherwise help fungus, weed and algae to grow.

2. Cover the open spaces: In case of torrential rains, water can enter the house from the terrace, balcony or porch and cause flooding.

   To prevent rainwater from entering your house, you must install temporary or permanent shades, awnings or sliding doors. These will help protect your outdoor furniture as well.

3. Check doors and windows: Check the hinges of doors and windows and make sure they close tightly to prevent seepage of floodwater. You can also install rubber gaskets around the door jab to keep water from entering your house.
4. Hire professional roof inspection services: The roof of a house is exposed to extreme weather conditions and external elements year-round. Therefore, hire professional services and get the roof inspected before monsoon sets in. A professional will look for cracks and damages and perform necessary repairs to make it monsoon ready.
5. Check electrical wiring: An open or unattended electrical wire that comes in contact with water can lead to a short circuit and electric shock. Hence, remember to get all wires, electric sockets, plugs, and fuses checked and insulated by a professional.
6. Fix drainage issues: A clogged drainage system is probably the last thing you want during the monsoon season. Check the drainage system in advance and consider adding drains to driveways, if possible. Make sure the drains are not clogged to prevent stagnant water and flooding.
7. Protect wooden furniture: Wooden furniture often swells up and loses its shape due to excessive moisture during the monsoon season. What’s more, they also become vulnerable to pests and termites.

   To prevent any damage to furniture, apply a thick coat of varnish on them. Also, use a dehumidifier to keep moisture and humidity levels in check. Furniture can attract moisture from damp walls, so move them a few inches away from the walls.

8. Remove rugs and carpets: Pack heavy fabric rugs and carpets and store them safely. These materials attract moisture easily and become breeding grounds for germs. If you want to use carpets and rugs, keep them dry and clean to prevent microbial growth and odour.

How home insurance plays an important role in offering protection against flooding

Heavy rainfall and floods can cause immense damage to your property and the repairs can cost you a fortune. Therefore, if you reside in a coastal region or flood-prone area, make sure you avail adequate home insurance in India. A good home insurance policy will cover the structure and contents of your home in case of flood damage and compensate for repairs.

Home insurance covers the following flood-related damages:

• Short circuit due to water leakage
• Floor damage because of floodwater
• Water-related damage to furniture
• Water damage to the walls, paint and structure of your house
• Leakage from the roof

Conclusion

Monsoon is a fun and delightful season and it gets even better when your home is monsoon ready. Therefore, if you live in a flood-prone region, get your house inspected for leaks, cracks, drainage problems and other issues in advance to prevent flooding and damage. However, you must also keep a home insurance policy handy for unexpected problems. Home insurance in Indiacovers a range of flood-related damage that may otherwise burn a hole in your pocket. Buy home insurance today and protect your home against natural calamities, fire, and other uncertain events.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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• 6 Tips to make your home monsoon ready
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