In Kinshasa, heavy rain can turn a small crack into a leak in a single night. Water damage spreads quietly: stained ceilings, damp walls, swollen doors, short circuits. A little checking before and during the rainy season prevents most of it.
Check the roof and the gutters
Look for missing or broken roof sheets and tiles, rusted nails and gaps around water tanks or antennas. Clear the gutters and downpipes of leaves, sand and plastic so rainwater flows away from the walls. For anything on the roof itself, call a professional: working at height in the rain is dangerous.
Watch the walls and the ceilings
Brown marks on the ceiling, paint that bubbles or peels, and a musty smell are early signs of water getting in. Mark the edge of a stain with a pencil: if it grows after the next rain, the leak is active and needs attention.
Keep water away from the foundations
Water that stays around the base of the house slowly weakens the walls and rises as damp. Make sure the ground slopes away from the house, that drains and channels are not blocked, and that rainwater from the roof does not fall straight against the walls.
Water and electricity: stay safe
If water drips near a light, a socket or the electrical panel, switch off the power at the main switch if you can do it safely, and do not touch wet sockets or cables. Call an electrician before switching the power back on in that area.
What to do when a leak starts
- Put a bucket under the drip and move furniture and electrical devices away.
- Take photos of the leak and the damage, with the date.
- Note when it happens: during rain only, or all the time.
- If it leaks all the time, the problem may be a pipe rather than the roof: close the main water valve.
- Call a plumber or a roofer as soon as possible, before the damage spreads.
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