Autumn on the Costa del Sol: preparing your home for rain and humidity

It rains on few days a year on the Costa del Sol, but when it does it tends to be heavy. After a whole summer without a drop, drains are full of dust and leaves, and the first autumn storms find properties unprepared. October is the month to get ahead.

Infrequent but intense rain

The torrential downpours typical of the Mediterranean autumn can deliver in a few hours what falls over weeks elsewhere. The problem is rarely the rain itself but the water that has nowhere to go: a terrace with a blocked drain becomes a pool above the neighbour's ceiling or your own living room.

Roofs, terraces and drains

• Clear gutters, drains and downpipes before the first rains.
• Check the waterproofing of terraces and roofs, and repair any cracks.
• Inspect the seals on windows, sliding doors and skylights.
• Make sure the garage and garden grilles drain properly.

"Clearing a drain takes ten minutes. Not doing so can cost a ceiling, a wooden floor and several weeks of cancelled bookings."

Humidity in closed-up homes

Near the sea, ambient humidity is high all year round, and a property left closed for weeks builds it up quickly. The result is odours, mould in wardrobes and damaged fabrics. Airing regularly, leaving wardrobes ajar and using dehumidifiers in the most exposed areas keeps the house healthy until spring.

Outdoor areas and pool

Now is the time to store cushions and fabrics, take in or secure awnings and parasols against the wind and protect the furniture. The pool should not be emptied: it is enough to reduce filtration hours, keep up a minimum treatment and, if possible, cover it to stop it filling with leaves.

Review the insurance and visit after every storm

It is worth checking exactly what your home policy covers in the event of water damage and severe weather, and whether it allows for the property being used as a holiday let. In addition, a visit after each spell of rain makes it possible to detect a leak while it is still a stain and not a breakdown. Our owners receive a report with photographs after every inspection.