5 Materials That Will Make Your House Heavy Rain-Proof

 

A house is meant to shelter you from the heat of the sun, the downpour of rain, and other outside forces that may cause harm. In countries like the Philippines, having a house that can withstand thunderstorms is a must. Taking into account the number of typhoons that hit the country annually, it is just wise to ensure that one’s house can protect its residents in the best way possible.


Thankfully there are hardware and construction supplies that can help make our houses safe from storms:

1. Roof gutters

Make sure that your roof gutters are clean and free from debris that can cause clogging. Don’t think twice about having them replaced or repaired once you see any signs of damage. Gutters are designed to catch rainwater, so it protects the house from mold and rots apart from diverting the water away. There are hardware and construction supply stores that sell ready-made and rust-resistant stainless roof gutters that can do the job.

2. Automatic recoiling downspouts

Water from downspouts dumping right at the base of exterior walls can eventually flow into the foundation of the house. A downspout diverter that leads rainwater away from the house and automatically recoils when not in use can address this.

3. Elastomeric sealant

It is advisable to keep a handy sealant in the house. In the case of Filipino homes, Vulcaseal always seals the deal with leaks, cracks, gaps of roofing, gutters, downspouts, and pipes. I remember my grandfather saying, “Pag may butas ang yero, i-vulcaseal mo lang” (“For any holes on the roof, just use Vulcaseal”).

4. Waterproofing paint

Prevention is indeed always better than cure. It’s better to waterproof the roof than take extra work in sealing off holes and cracks. Masonry paint which is made from a mixture of ceramic and latex paints is recommended by most. It does the work not only for roofs, but also on bricks, concrete blocks, and stone.

5. Weatherstripping 

The roof is not the only area where rainwater can seep into the house. Doors and windows also need to be rain-proof. Weatherstripping them will help seal out drafts and minimize heat/cool air loss. Just purchase any kind of weatherstripping material from your local hardware and construction supply store and you’ll be set. Self-stick weatherstripping is useful for metal and vinyl windows that can’t be nailed onto while rubber weatherstripping can last for a very long time while maintaining its insulating qualities.



May your house be safe from storms!