Rainy season home checklist for Metro Manila: waterproofing, drains and aircon

The rainy season in Metro Manila brings two kinds of damage to homes: water getting in through roofs, walls and drains, and power problems that come with storms. A short checklist done before the first heavy rains, and a second look before any typhoon warning, prevents much of the damage that is cheap to prevent. This guide covers drains, waterproofing, aircon, electrical safety, the typhoon kit and cleanup.

The checklist works for a house or a condo. Condos have shared drains and building rules that change what you can fix yourself, so where the building manages part of the work, the admin office is the first call, not a contractor.

Before the rains: drains and gutters

Clearing drains is the cheapest flood prevention you can do. Typhoon preparation advice in the Philippines includes clearing drainage systems to prevent flooding, and it is the same advice in every household guide. Lift the strainers on the balcony and kitchen floor drains, remove leaves and grit, and pour water through each drain to check that it flows.

On a house, check the gutters and downpipes. On a condo, check the balcony drains and any drain you can see. A blocked downpipe sends water toward the wall, and damp often shows up on the wall first. If a drain is still slow after clearing, a snake or a visit from a tubero is the next step. The declog guide in this series covers when to call one.

Waterproofing and leaks

Walk the house before the first heavy rain and look for damp patches, peeling paint, stains on ceilings and dark lines along joints. Check the roof, the top of the exterior walls, the balcony edges and the point where the aircon pipe passes through the wall. Gaps at those points are a common route for water into a home.

A small surface crack can be sealed as a homeowner's job. A roof repair, a waterproofing membrane or a wall that holds water needs a site check and a written quote. This guide does not give a waterproofing price, because the sources checked did not give a reliable Metro Manila figure. Ask for a site inspection, a written scope and the warranty period, and compare at least two quotes.

Mold is the sign that water has been there longer than you think. Look at the corners, behind cabinets and inside wardrobes. Dry the area, find the source, and do not paint over a damp wall until the source is fixed. Paint hides the problem and lets it spread.

Aircon and electrical safety

The aircon matters in the rainy season because the drain line can block and water can drip onto a wall or a shelf. Check the drip tray and the pipe, and clear the line if water is pooling. A full aircon cleaning includes filter and drain line cleaning, which is the simplest way to make sure the line flows before the storm season.

Before a storm, check the outlets near the floor and any power point in a wet area. If an outlet is warm, buzzing or smells of burning, turn off its circuit and call an electrician. Teko's electrical rates show a ₱450 check-up and a ₱1,200 minimum repair for standard fault work, which gives a sense of what a check costs before any parts are added.

If you need a drain check or an aircon clean, you can compare verified taskers' rates on Taskly before you book, and payment is held until the job is done.

Keep power and devices ready

Charge phones and power banks before a typhoon warning, and keep a flashlight with spare batteries where you can reach it in the dark. Moneymax's typhoon guide suggests a go-bag with water, ready-to-eat food, first aid, medicines, a flashlight, batteries, face masks, hygiene supplies and waterproof copies of key documents. Planning for two to three days is the common basis in these guides.

Make a family communication plan so everyone knows how to reach each other if the phone network drops. Save the NDRRMC and Red Cross numbers, and check the current numbers on official websites, since phone lines change.

Before the storm peaks, switch off the circuits you do not need from a dry spot, with dry hands, and unplug the appliances you can spare. Moneymax's guide says to turn off power sources and unplug appliances to prevent electrocution. That step also protects the appliances from a surge when power returns.

During a typhoon

Stay indoors and away from windows once strong winds and heavy rain begin. Listen to official announcements from NDRRMC or PAGASA. If authorities advise evacuation, leave early rather than waiting until the road floods, since a late exit is the hardest one to make.

Keep the drains clear during the storm. If a balcony or floor drain backs up, move items off the floor, stay out of standing floodwater even if a breaker appears off, and keep away from submerged electrical equipment. Disconnect power only from a dry, safe location; otherwise contact the utility or an electrician. Do not try to clear a drain by hand during a storm.

After the storm

Stay out of floodwater. Check the house for damage and for exposed wires, and do not plug in anything that has been under water. Moneymax's guide says to make sure electrical equipment is dry before use and never to plug in appliances that have been submerged.

Empty standing water from containers, tyres and pots to keep mosquitoes from breeding. Photograph the damage before you clean up, since a clear record helps with an insurance claim or a building claim.

Book repairs in order: electrical safety first, then leaks and mold, then cosmetic work. Ask the electrician or tubero to put any unsafe work in writing, so you know what has been checked and what still needs attention.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start the checklist? Before the first heavy rains of the season, and again before any typhoon warning. Drain and roof checks take the least time when they are done early.

What is the most useful first step? Clear the drains and check the aircon drain line. Both are cheap, and both prevent the water damage that is harder and more costly to fix later.

Can I fix a leak myself? A small surface crack can be sealed. Roof, membrane and wall-leak repairs need a site check and a written quote from a qualified contractor.

Who do I call for flooding inside a condo? Start with the building's admin office, because shared drains and common areas may belong to the building. Then call a tubero or an electrician for the parts inside your own unit.