With the arrival of autumn and the first rains, problems of water leaks, electrical damage, broken pipes and glass, blockages and other types of problems and damages that can affect our property also reach our home. In fact, in times of heavy rain the number of accidents in homes increases by 19%.

The main damage is derived from the direct and indirect impact of water. Likewise, awnings and blinds break due to strong winds. This is followed by electrical damage, short circuits and damage caused by fires, explosions and lightning strikes.

Main areas of danger and prevention

• Terrace drains and rainwater chests. In autumn it is common for the trees to shed their leaves and the wind accumulates remains of plants, plastics or garbage in corners and streets. This also occurs in homes and terrace drains are superficially clogged, which causes the terrace to become puddled, causing flooding. On occasions, leaks or even overflows that can cause the water to reach the living room or the rooms, which could reach a cost of approximately 900 euros depending on the damage caused.
• The same occurs with the manholes for the sewerage and rainwater evacuation systems. These parts must be kept clean as they collect all the rainwater and, if they have accumulated debris, they will most likely end up getting clogged; that without mentioning the noises and bad smells that will consequently appear. The average cost of unclogging a pipe is around 75 euros.
• The roofs and chimneys. Rooftops are another source of leaks and flooding. The cleaning of the gutters must be monitored, since their clogging can cause water overflows, and the weight of this can cause their detachment, with tiles included, for which an expense of approximately 300 euros would have to be assumed.
• Likewise, it is advisable to place a cap that prevents the entry of elements through the chimney and make sure that the windows are well sealed to avoid leaks. The ridges or convergence files on the roof are usually waterproofed with chlorinated rubber paints, but due to thermal differences it ends up cracking, so it is advisable to clean up and repaint every two years.
• Hanging elements and outdoor furniture. Do you have a beautiful dining room or gazebo in your garden ? You better protect it from the weather. Not only can the furniture be damaged by water, cold or the first hailstorms, but the strong wind can cause a piece to come loose and end up breaking glass or pipes. We advise you to cover them with protectors or plastic.
• In addition, in rainy seasons, most of the short circuits are due to the lack of insulation of the electrical installation, so make sure that there are no broken or deteriorated devices that allow the entry of water. Also pay special attention if you have terraces or patios equipped with awnings, antennas or electrical appliances.