How do you prepare your home for the rainy season?

When the rainy season is in Singapore

Singapore has two monsoon seasons, separated by inter-monsoon periods. The Meteorological Service Singapore says the Northeast Monsoon runs from December to early March and the Southwest Monsoon from June to September. Rainfall is higher from November to January, so the wetter months begin before the Northeast Monsoon itself. The late phase of the monsoon, usually late January to early March, is windy and relatively dry, and February is the driest month. Monsoon surges, which are strong wind episodes in the Northeast Monsoon flow, can bring major rainfall events.

So how should you prepare your home for the Northeast Monsoon season? Do your rainy season home checks before the wetter months begin. Clear drains and floor traps, look over window seals and tracks, check ceilings for stains, and plan how you will keep rooms aired. For a month-specific list of smaller jobs, see our November home checklist.

Windows and seals

Strong wind can push rain through small gaps, so check your windows before the wetter months. Look at the seals around each frame for cracks, gaps or sections that have come loose. Clean the tracks of sliding windows and make sure the small drainage holes along each track are not blocked, so water that gathers in the track can run out.

Close your windows during storms, including in rooms you are not using. After heavy rain, look at the sills and the wall below each window. Water marks or a damp patch are worth noting, as is a window that will not close fully.

If a seal, hinge or latch needs fixing, the price depends on the job. Compare companies for door and window repair and ask what each quote includes.

Drains, gutters and floor traps

Blocked drains let water collect, and stagnant water is where mosquitoes breed. NEA's mozzie-free checklist asks you to keep corridor scupper drains clear, cover rarely used gully traps, and turn pails over and store them under shelter. It also sets a simple routine for clearing water and leaves.

Inside your home, keep floor traps in bathrooms and other wet areas free of hair and debris so water can drain away. If water drains slowly or backs up through a floor trap, the pipe may be partly blocked. You can compare companies for choked drain clearing; the price depends on the job.

Leaks and ceiling stains

After a heavy downpour, check ceilings, especially in bathrooms and in rooms directly under the roof, for new stains or drips. Take a photo and note when each mark appeared. That record helps when you speak to a neighbour, the Town Council or a contractor.

HDB says ceiling leaks in flats happen when water from the flat above seeps through the floor slab, usually because the waterproof membrane and screed have worn. This typically occurs in toilets and bathrooms. Untreated leaks may damage electrical items and cause mould growth. For a leak between two flats, both owners arrange the repair and split the cost. The roof is common property, so if you live on the highest floor, contact your Town Council.

For a leak from the flat above, HDB's guide suggests you talk to your upstairs neighbour, agree a time for a check and engage a contractor together. The contractor confirms the source and recommends a repair method, and you share the cost. You negotiate price and scope with the contractor yourselves. For more, see what to do about a ceiling leak.

Humidity and mould

Damp air and wet surfaces give mould a chance to grow, so airflow matters in the wetter months. NEA says you can improve home ventilation by opening doors and windows, and fans can be used to help air circulate when needed. Open up when rain is not coming in, and close again when a storm arrives.

A few everyday habits also help limit damp:

• Dry laundry fully before you fold it or put it away.
• Wipe condensation from windows, mirrors and tiles.
• Deal with leaks early rather than waiting for drier weather.

If mould has already appeared, look for the cause as well as the stain. Our guide to mould on the ceiling has more on dealing with it.

Rainy season home jobs: what to book ahead, and when

If you have noticed a ceiling stain, a window that does not seal properly or a drain that is slow to clear, arrange a check before the wetter months. The same goes for a deep clean of rooms where mould has appeared before. Booking earlier gives you more choice of dates.

Prices depend on the job and the company, so compare a few quotes and ask what each one covers. For cleaning, you can see published rates on our home cleaning prices page.

Questions