November home checklist: get ready for the rainy season

Why a November home maintenance checklist helps

Singapore's wettest months are usually November to January, when the northeast monsoon's wet phase sets in. As the rain gets heavier, small faults around the home start to show. A window seal that held through drier months can leak in a long downpour, and a scupper drain full of leaves can hold water for days.

The year-end also changes how you use your home. School holidays, visiting relatives and festive cooking mean more people at home, more appliances running and less patience for a leak or a tripped circuit.

Most households can get through this checklist in a weekend or two, leaving time to fix problems before December. If you prefer to spread jobs across the year, use the home maintenance calendar or build your own with the calendar generator.

Windows, sealant and leaks

During or just after heavy rain, walk around your home and look at:

• Windows: water marks on the sill, damp patches, or sealant that has cracked or pulled away from the frame.
• Ceilings: yellow or brown stains or bubbling paint, especially under a bathroom or kitchen in the unit above.
• Bathroom grout: gaps, dark lines or loose tiles that let water seep behind the surface.

Take photos and note when you saw each problem, so a contractor can see the pattern.

For HDB flats, HDB's guidance on ceiling leaks says flat owners are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their own flat. For leaks from common property, contact your Town Council. For a ceiling leak between two flats, HDB describes the flat owners engaging a contractor together. The contractor recommends a repair method based on how severe the leak is, and some leaks need more than one method. HDB's prevention tips include using non-corrosive detergents and taking care when washing kitchen and bathroom floors.

Small sealant gaps or worn grout are often a handyman job. If water is already coming through, see what to do about a ceiling leak.

Drains and mosquito checks

Rain fills every container left in the open, and stagnant water lets mosquitoes breed. NEA's page on other preventive measures against dengue includes a mozzie-free checklist: turn pails over and store them under shelter, loosen hardened soil in potted plants, keep corridor scupper drains clear, cover rarely used gully traps and cover bamboo pole holders after use. The same page sets out routine checks, summarised below.

NEA's guidance also advises against placing trays or containers beneath or above an aircon unit, as they can let mosquitoes breed. If you need a tray, use HDB's patented air-conditioner tray and check it so the drain point does not choke and hold water.

Aircon and ventilation

Humid weeks and holiday use put more strain on aircon units. Clean the filters before the rains settle in, as dusty filters cut airflow and hold moisture. Water dripping from the indoor unit or a damp patch on the wall below it can point to a blocked drain line, which is a job for an aircon technician.

Closed, humid rooms such as storerooms or spare rooms are where mould tends to appear. On dry days, open the windows, run a fan and leave wardrobe doors open for a while. If you see black spots on the louvres or notice a musty smell when the unit starts, read our guide to aircon mould before you clean it yourself.

Electrical and fire safety

Festive lights, extra cooking and visitors charging devices all add load to your sockets. SCDF publishes free home fire safety guides, including Fire Safety at Home and its guidelines on the use of common areas in HDB estates. EMA warns that overloading power points can start a fire: do not piggy-back plugs with double adaptors, and replace frayed cords rather than taping them.

Before the festive season:

• Plug heavy appliances such as ovens and kettles straight into a wall socket.
• Do not plug one extension cord into another.
• Check light strings for cuts or exposed wire, and throw out damaged sets.
• Switch festive lights off at bedtime and when you leave home.
• Keep lights away from curtains, and keep decorations and shoe racks out of the corridor.
• Do not leave cooking unattended.

EMA's electrical safety advice notes that all homes must have a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), and advises testing it once a month. Its general rule applies to every appliance: switch off the power before you touch it. For a room-by-room run-through, use our home electrical safety checklist.

Book jobs before December

Many households book work before year-end, so booking early gives you more choice of dates. Book anything your November checks turned up, such as:

• Aircon servicing or a chemical wash for a unit that drips or smells musty.
• Window sealant replacement or bathroom regrouting.
• A ceiling leak inspection, arranged with your neighbour if the water comes from the flat above.
• Small repairs, such as curtain rails, door hinges and dripping taps.
• A deep clean before guests arrive.
• Electrical work, such as replacing a faulty socket.

Price depends on the job and what the contractor finds on site, so send photos and ask what the visit includes. You can compare handyman services in the directory, with each company's published prices linked to its source.

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