According to the Asian Disaster Resource Center, the Philippines is expected to have at least 20 typhoons per year. With the effects of climate change bringing heavy rains and flooding, you should prepare your home and your wallet for whatever the wet season may bring.
The cheapest roof replacement alone costs around ₱1,000.00 per square meter, including labor and materials. Aside from the costs, you might also have to bear with inconveniences such as water leaks could affect structural integrity electrical wiring.
These are the common home repair problems during the rainy season:
Practical solutions to avoid costly home repairs:
- Have a professional regularly check for signs of degradation. Hire someone with the necessary skills and expertise to identify potential problems and apply safe repairs.
- Pick quality materials. These may incur higher upfront costs but can prove to be economical in the long run.
- Clean and clear away clogged debris. Clear your roof, gutter, and other areas to help maintain the structure of the house. Check if there are accumulated debris after heavy rains. This also applies for drainages and canals so that they won’t get clogged that can contribute to flooding.
- Perform regular maintenance. This will help you identify minor areas of concern that you can fix easier while they’re still not a huge problem or at least before the rainy season comes in.
- Weatherproof walls. Watch out for discolorations, paint bubbles, and dark spots which are indications of water seepage. When this happens, invest in weatherproofing to seal damages.
- Beware of trees. Fallen branches may cause damage both on properties and residents. They may also end up in the gutters that can cause clogging. It is best to coordinate with your barangay to check if trees near the residences do not pose threats in case of a rainy or windy weather. They will also take charge of reinforcing their foundation or cutting away some branches if needed.
- Insure your property. In 2015, property damages due to typhoons were estimated to be around ₱18 billion. With home insurance, you can find peace of mind knowing that when a calamity or a destructive event affects your house, you’ll have the means to cover repair costs. However, you have to make sure that the coverage includes force majeure like typhoons and floods.
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Other helpful things to consider to prepare better for emergencies:
- Prepare an emergency fund. Your emergency fund will be the lifeline you'll need after a devastating event. It is the safety net that you can fall back on, sparing you from financial distress when unplanned expenses arise. If possible, save at least 3-6 months up to 1-2 years’ worth of expenses to account for contingencies.
- Get insured. As much as you value your home and other properties, it only makes perfect sense to also protect your most valuable asset – your life. Depending on the type of life insurance policy that you have, did you know that you can withdraw or loan from your policy to use it for emergencies? If you haven’t acquired life insurance for yourself and your loved ones yet, there are lots of options available, each addressing a wide range of needs. You can check out different life insurance solutions or reach out to a Sun Life advisor by scheduling an appointment here.
With ample preparation, you can weather through the rainy season. As you take care of your home, don’t forget to also take care of yourself. When you anticipate for emergencies and prepare in advance, you are able to prevent future inconveniences and possible expensive costs, not just with home repairs, but even with your own health. Stay safe and dry!
Sources:
BusinessMirror, Investopedia, Lamudi, MoneyMax, MyProperty.ph, Scb.co, Squareone.ca
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