Preparing your home for extreme weather
A house in Kawaala submerged in Water due to heavy rain. If you live in an area at risk of flood, then have your sockets and fuse boxes raised by an electrician. PHOTO BY ERIC DOMINIC BUKENYA
Flavia Asiimwe, 32, and tenant expresses her distress when it comes to the ever existing loopholes in the infrastructural setting of rentals.
“I have on many occasions faced fierce winds that destroyed my windows leaving a pile of dust in my living room, a heavy downpour that flooded my home destroying all my property and the scathing heat that is oxygen depriving,” she says.
Engineer Paul Tiboti, a lecturer at Ndejje University, shares some ideas on how to prepare your home for the extreme weather.
Structuring tips
“With the pressing rent bills, I could not wait to move out so I settled in my still under construction house in Nansana. Little did I know that I was putting my family’s life at stake. One day, heavy rains flooded my house and soaked up the naked wires leaving my home ablaze,” says Timothy Kayanja.
According to Tiboti, wires should be dressed up in black waterproofed protector pipes known as conduits to avoid water from making contact with naked wires. “Replace leaking and weak roofs with hipped roof. This is a tented roof with slopes allowing for rain water to flow off through a roof water drainage/pipe, or flat concrete roofs for a firm and safe holding over your head. You can also opt for water guard paint endowed with several layers of under coat to prevent walls from fading off,” explains Tiboti.
“Whenever it comes to your door and floor level, ensure to pay a keen eye to the outside and indoor ground levels. Your outside balcony should be lower while the inside should be raised to block rain water from flooding into your house,” he adds.
For seasons of fierce winds and the severe hot seasons, the structural layout of the walls and ceiling may need to be designed in a way that provides warmth but also lets in sufficient fresh air.
“Concrete ceilings would be a smart choice as they create a cool atmosphere in the home spaces by insulating one from high temperatures. Opt for cavity walls which are thick and double walls that provide insulation. Strong window materials with installed ventilators should be used to allow free air flow into the house,” recommends Tiboit.
Budget
Working within your means and understanding the amount of work required may save you money and time.
“There are those extreme types of materials that can stand the perturbing weather but are quiet expensive since they require more work and should be adequate enough to bring out the best. However, try as much to go out for materials that you can afford,” advices Tiboti.
“Avoid the excitement of running for every material that you notice everyone is using as it also depends on the work needed to be done and the time frame of tenacity of your structure,” he concludes. Be sure to consult your material or structural engineer in order to pick out deserving material that suits your home.
Decor tips
Yvette Tumwine Nunu, an interior designer at Nina Interiors, recommends fabric sofas for a dusty and cold season. “Fabric sofas provide enough warmth and are easy to wash. They are an alternative to leather chairs which can not be easily cleaned with water that may damage them. They also tend to absorb coldness easily.”
A warm and cozy fireplace would definitely do the magic for your freezing cold days. “Ensure to place the fire place in front of the chairs preferably L-shaped chairs that can allow you to watch the TV from the other side away from the fire place. Do not place the TV above the fire place to ignite heat on to it hence damaging it,” Nunu advises.
She recommends heavy material for curtains that can stand in the way of bashing winds. “Choose heavy curtains with nettings that can multi-purposely allow free entry of air into the room but also hold off dust from entering your home. Dull-coloured curtains are a good choice during the dusty seasons,” she says.
Try as much to blend the colours in your home pleasantly when it comes to little details such as the bed covers. Tumwine encourages style sensitivity even during the most cruel weather. “During the dusty seasons, pick out duvets that are dull but classy to compliment your bedroom look,” she says.
For a convenient indoor environment, take charge of your home plan to ensure an elegant atmosphere that suits each season. Consult your interior designer to get swatches of appropriate décor that will suit the weather and your interior needs.
