While it may be tough staying home during this period and only leaving the house for essential activities, it is important to understand the reasoning behind such harsh implementations. According to WHO, the virus is high contagious and “spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with Covid-19 coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets are relatively heavy, do not travel far and quickly sink to the ground.
People can catch Covid-19 if they breathe in these droplets from a person infected with the virus. This is why it is important to stay at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from others. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces around the person such as tables, doorknobs and handrails. People can become infected by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is why it is important to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand rub.” Find out additional information on Covid-19 here.
Besides checking if there are any leaks in our homes as shared in our previous article, it is good that we also take the time to check the condition and integrity of our existing waterproofing systems around the house as prevention is better than cure.
What to look out for at the different areas of our homes:
- Roof – Check for loose roof shingles, flashing, gutters or ventilation piping as screws might loosen over time or fallen debris may displace them. At times, heavy debris might even damage or penetrate our roof. Additionally, check whether any sealants applied are still in good condition and that any potential entry points for water is fully sealed.
- Balcony – Check for loose tiling or floorboards that may be displaced by our movement over a period of time. Ensure that the tile grouting is not damaged or worn off. Similarly, check whether any sealants applied especially along window or door frames are still in good condition.
- Toilets – Check for loose wall or floor tiles that may be displaced by our movement over a period of time. Ensure that the tile grouting is not damaged or worn off. Similarly, check whether any sealants applied especially around the shower area and door frames are still in good condition.
- Walls – Check for any loose flashing installed around the window and if the sealants applied around the window frames are still in good condition
These are the basic checks that you can do by yourself at home. If you want to seek professional opinion or have discovered that any of your waterproofing systems is compromised, do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation or schedule a site visit for inspection!