Monsoon is the most awaited season for most people. It is true that rains provide relief from the heat, bring with them cool winds and transform dull greenery into lush greenery. But, the monsoon season can also, unexpectedly (and easily), translate into disaster for the interiors of the home.

Roads are not the only things negatively affected by the rain. Furniture, walls, carpets and overall atmosphere of one's house can get damaged just as easily.

Naturally, it is better to take certain precautions before the rain inflicts damage rather than spend more money to get the damages fixed.

Following are some basics of making homes monsoon-ready:

Properly ventilate the house

If there's one thing closely related to rain, it is moisture. Therefore, to deal with the moistness and to prevent the birthing of infections in the house during times of rain, it is essential to make arrangements for proper ventilation in the house. There should be an outlet, like open windows, to let the fresh air enter.

This need becomes more important because most people dry wet or damp clothes inside the house, which can lead to more moisture.

Routine roof checks

While it is better to get roof and wall checks done routinely, this becomes even more important before the monsoon. A crack in the roof can cause a lot of problems. Professionals can help detect and fix any splits and chinks that may be there on the rooftop.

Repair leakages/cracks

One must also undertake a thorough inspection of any cracks or leakages on any of the walls, tiles or any other part of the house. As a precaution, he must check all water pipes too to avoid any kind of blockage.

Generally, for cities like Mumbai that experience heavy rainfall, the norm is to construct buildings keeping monsoon safety in mind. Still, one must double check if the walls of the house are waterproof, from inside as well as outside.

Check electric wires

Electric wires can pose serious threats and inconveniences if they get soggy from dampness caused by the season. To avoid such risks, one must get all the wiring in the house checked before and during the monsoon season.

Damp-proof wooden cupboards

Sometimes, the dampness from rainwater seeps inside wooden cupboards and harms the contents inside. To prevent this from happening, one must keep camphor calls or neem leaves in the corners inside the cupboards or between the clothes.

Cover balconies

Most people enjoy sitting in their balconies to enjoy the rain, but are, at the same time, worried about getting water inside their houses. An effective remedy for this is covering the balcony with tarpaulin sheets. Alternatively, one can install retractable awning/shades on his balcony.

Remove carpets

Moist climate is harmful for thick carpets and Persian rugs. It would be a good idea to store these away in plastic sheets till the rains are over. As alternatives, one can place bamboo mats or safe acrylic rugs on the floor.

Apart from these, there are some other minor changes that one can make to make his house ready for the monsoon. For instance, it would be a good idea to keep the plants outside; if left inside, they may increase humidity. To reduce the suffocation caused by moisture, one could swap heavy and dark drapes with sheer curtains. Sheer curtains trap less moisture and help in maintaining a cooler atmosphere.