The heavy downpour marking the wet season in Ghana usually begins in May, gets intense in June and July, and ends in August. Usually, the rains have a major impact on transport, communication, buildings, infrastructure, crops, livestock and just about everything else.

Your house for sale, or apartment is likely to incur some additional costs on minor or major maintenance work during the wet season. We have listed a few issues which are common during the rainy season and added some practical tips to help resolve them and save you some expenses.

• Moulds and mildew

Mould and mildew on the walls or ceilings often occur when moisture levels are high. In many cases, mould and mildew are seen on surfaces of bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, damp basements, and other places with regular moisture or humidity. Apart from making walls and surfaces look unsightly and dirty, they, equally, can be harmful to your health by triggering allergic reactions such as itchy eyes, wheezing/coughs and a stuffy nose.

In some cases, mould and mildew are likely to occur within the walls themselves. In such cases, hiring the services of professional cleaning services is highly advisable. However, if you are the DIY type, moulds can be cleared up, and the cost you would have paid to a professional saved, with the simple steps below:

1. Spray bleach solutions on the stained walls:

For this to be effective, get a spray bottle, keep the windows open, mix a solution of one part bleach with three parts of water and spray on the mouldy wall. Let the bleach sit on the wall for some minutes and scrub the wall to remove the stain. Repeat till all traces of mould are cleared up.

     2. To remove moulds from within the walls themselves, spray undiluted white vinegar onto affected areas and let it dry up.

• Roof Damage

Incorrectly installed equipment and the selection of non-standard roofing material, among other reasons, are likely to be the cause of roof damage during the wet season. This problem can lead to the blowing off of roofs; rotting of wooden beams and structures; and moisture penetrating the underlayment. These problems affect the general structure of the apartment or house and, ultimately, the family as well.

To protect your roof and save costs, it is advisable to get the most out of your roofing investments. Getting ahead of the forecast and preparing for the rainy days will incur relatively cheaper costs compared to the cost of a hefty renovation after a downpour.

That notwithstanding, using quality roofing equipment: choosing good quality roof tiles and reliable equipment coupled with the services of an experienced technician can prevent the root cause of some roofing problems.

• Overgrown weeds and grass

Due to the high volumes of rain during the wet season, grass and weeds in and around the home grow faster as compared to the dry season. For many homeowners, this may be a blessing since it’s free water for the nourishment of plants, flowers, and subsistence gardens. However, weeds are, unfortunately, equally nourished and may grow at a faster rate than the desirable plants.

Fortunately, pesky weeds can be controlled by using pesticides. They get rid of unwanted weeds that sprout alongside flowers and other plants in the garden. This, if done properly, will cut costs and maintain the beauty of your property as you can then choose to trim/prune the flowers and plants on the usual schedule.

• Plumbing

A heavy downpour can cause or reveal problems in the plumbing works in a home in many ways, resulting in water leakages; stagnant water in crawl spaces; overflowing drains; and other such problems. Hence, getting ahead of the forecast and preventing the drainage system in the home from getting damaged during the rainy season is a no-brainer.

This can be achieved by inspecting gutters and cleaning clogged drains to enable the smooth flow of water since that’s its primary function.

Secondly, install a backwater check valve. According to Holiman Plumbing, a backwater check valve or sewer backflow valve is designed to ensure that water and sewage flow in the direction opposite to your property. It prevents water from travelling inside the house and serves against flooding as well.

Furthermore, opt for sewer traps as they are designed to prevent one of the most common plumbing issues during the wet season. Thus, preventing clogs and blockages from forcing noxious gases into the building.

To conclude, it is always advisable to consult the services of professionals concerning your property. The expertise of a professional, be it a well-trusted roofing company, in case of leakages, or a gardener to help with after-rain pruning and such. Also, invest in research about the workings of components of your home so you can be better prepared to fix things and save costs when possible.

Always remember that carefully preparing for the wet season gives you the advantage of incurring less costs for minor or major repairs in case the rains cause damage to the property.