The rainy season in Nigeria is one of the two major seasons that occur within the year.
Although rain is expected to fall throughout the year in Nigeria.
Nigeria experiences a significant quantity of rain between April and October, which is the popularly known rainy season by indigenes.
Understanding the weather patterns and characteristics of the area you are buying a house in Nigeria, should be part of the research you carry out before finalizing any deal in real estate.
The rainy season in Nigeria comes with its pros and cons, and even the Nigerian property investment market feels the effects of the Nigerian rainy season.
One of the major pros is the all-around drop in temperature in Nigeria during this period and the smell of freshness that accompanies the cool monsoon breeze.
However, the rainy season can be a major reason for worry for many investors and property owners in the Nigerian real estate market.
Many landlords and investors see their property facing serious threats and damages during the rainy season.
The unpredictability of the weather in this period can go from bright and sunny to cloudy and rainy within a couple of seconds at any given time.
Even maintenance during this period is sometimes tricky, as certain corrective measures might leave the structure fully exposed to the rainy elements which can occur at any time in the season.
So most times the best maintenance strategy for your property in the rainy season is the combination of both preventive and corrective measures.
Tips to help you manage your property.
HERE ARE TIPS ON HOW TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN YOUR PROPERTY IN THE RAINY SEASON.
- Fixing your Leaking or Faulty Roof will Help you during the Rainy Season.
Roof leaks are one of the most common problems many landlords face on their property.
Even when you are renting an apartment in Lagos, or an apartment in Ilorin be careful when looking for apartments for let.
Usually, when the roof leaks, the ceiling is the first place you notice it.
This will lead to the ceiling picking up one issue or another.
A ceiling leak in your house will not only make your stay in it uncomfortable.
It will also devalue your property as a landlord in the Nigerian property market.
Most realtors and agents will tell you that leaking or faulty roofs are home disasters waiting to happen, especially during the rainy season, as almost anything can happen.
Furthermore, apart from water seeping into the house. In cases of strong wind, which is common during the rainy season.
The whole roof can be blown away.
Once you notice the signs of a faulty or leaking roof on your property. The next step is to get a professional to fix it.
Getting your roof checked for cracks and holes before the rainy season will help save you from the damage of the rainy season.
- Inspect your Property for Cracks in the Wall and Water Seepage During and Before the Rainy Season.
Houses, no matter how built, suffer deterioration at some point or the other.
Cracks are one such sign of property deterioration.
The saying “whenever there’s a will, there’s a way.” applies to rainwater in the rainy season.
Rainwater -especially in the rainy season, once in the walls, will always find its way through cracks to the nearest opening which is most times the cracks in your living area.
More so, these cracks allow moisture to get into your building, which can lead to damp patches and mold growth on the walls of your property.
When checking out a property for sale in Lagos or a property for rent in Abuja, you wouldn’t be impressed visiting the property to see mold growth and damp patches across the walls.
In addition, the treatment of damp areas and mold growth is tricky as investors might just want to use a coat of paint to cover up these issues.
THIS DOESN’T WORK, UNLESS THE GAPS AND CRACKS ARE FILLED AND FIXED.
The gaps and cracks need to be filled. Once this is done, the paint and plaster flakes should be scrapped before the wall is repainted.
Remember, it is best you treat the root issue and cracks before painting and removing the mold.
As these will just repeat themselves if not treated properly.
Need to remodel and renovate, part or your whole property? Follow these tips for the best way to.
- Be Mindful of your Electrical Connections and Wiring.
Electricity is one factor that many people consider to be very dangerous, and tend to be cautious about in the household.
With the amount of conductivity rainwater has. It can end up being disastrous when it comes in contact with electricity from exposed circuits and wirings.
It is in your best interest to get an electrician to consistently check your electrical connections and wiring.
Even out of the rainy season.
Furthermore, you might see a property for rent listed on the real estate market in your local area.
You should get an electrician to do a complete checkup on the property before committing to the property also.
In the rainy season, there might be possibilities of water coming in contact with electrical points like switches, sockets, and wiring. You should take preventive measures.
Like cutting out the power to those electrical points and placing protective coverings over such points.
Covering up the entry point of the rainwater during the rainy season is another solution.
- Clean Out your Gutters and Drainages around your Property in the Rainy Season.
Gutters and drainages are important parts of any property, and keeping it clean is the responsibility of the owner or some cases your tenants.
This is not only to your benefit but also benefits your environment too.
When drainages are blocked with waste and sand, the water flow becomes obstructed.
In addition, this can lead to problems like flooding within the property and surrounding area, patches, and stagnant water turning into breeding places for mosquitoes to breed and multiply.
Clearing the drainage of your property and the surrounding area should be done at least once a week.
In Lagos -for example, a few hours on Thursday morning is given to sanitation.
Furthermore, check for patches of water around you, stored in discarded buckets, bowls, or cans.
Disposing of stagnant water when you can help destroy breeding places for mosquitoes.
Ensuring that the openings in your property are properly closed during the rainy season also goes a long way in preventing water from finding its way into your property.
Doors and windows should be checked and confirmed to be able to shut out water from seeping into your property.
As some window panels might not be properly fixed, or door frames leak and allow seepage into the house.
Confirming these issues and treating them will also go a long way in helping you prevent disasters on your property during the rainy season.
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