Manila Bulletin

Sunshine on Rainy Days

- By MARITA V. PE BENITO — For houses with basements, make sure that water is not seeping in. Hire an expert to check and have it resealed.

Rainy days are back again — let's all hope not with a vengeance! The rainy season will probably last until September and according to PAGASA, our local weather agency, the season will bring in approximat­ely 11-16 typhoons. And since we have been forewarned, the last thing we need now is a house not ready for the rain. So prepare your home and be on guard for the rainy season. Make sure to keep your family safe and dry. Below is a list of the things or areas in your home that you should check this rainy season. — Check doors and windows. Make sure they close and seal properly. Remember, strong winds can bring in water easily from windows and doors not properly sealed. Any small space is an entry point for water

— It may not sound like a big deal at first but leaves will clog your gutters and may cause more problems in the future. Even small fruits like santol or a star apple may also block gutters. So, don't forget to cut branches that are touching your roof or are in the way of your gutters. Falling dead branches can also be harmful and eventually damage your home.

— Lately, monsoon rains and typhoons have been unpredicta­ble. The best thing you can do is to prepare for it. Buy and stock a good amount of sandbags. The sandbags will help you block the water from entering your house. Have mops within reach just in case water comes in. If you have a budget, consider investing in a good water vacuum. Know where the fuse box or circuit breaker is located so that in case of flood, you would know where to switch off your electricit­y. Keep all electronic­s off the floor. Better yet, if you have a multi-level house, keep all electronic items on the second floor or in the highest part of the house.

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