Preparing External Areas for Heavy Rain: A Property Manager's Inspection Checklist

When it rains in the UAE, it often rains hard, and the buildings and external areas that were ignored for months are the ones that suffer. Most of the damage comes from a handful of avoidable causes, and a short inspection finds nearly all of them.

Roofs and terraces

•     Clear drain outlets of sand, leaves and debris.

•     Check for ponding that does not drain within a day or two after washing.

•     Look at parapets, upstands and joints for cracks or gaps.

•     Look at the ceilings below for any staining.

Gullies, channels and chambers

Clean gullies and channel drains and check that water flows freely through them to the chamber and beyond. Lift chamber covers where it is safe to do so and look for silt and blockages.

Paving and falls

Check that paving still slopes away from the building. Settled areas that hold water should be marked for repair.

Boundary walls and building bases

Look at the base of walls for signs of water pushing through, and check that ground levels have not risen against the building.

Entrances and low areas

Basement ramps, ground-floor entrances and low-lying areas need working drains and clear paths for water. Consider where water would go if the drains were overwhelmed.

Electrical and external fittings

Check that external lighting, sockets and junction boxes are sealed and in good condition. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination.

AC drainage

Check that AC condensate lines drain properly and are not discharging against walls.

Record and prioritise

Photograph issues, rank them by consequence and fix the critical ones first. For roof problems, our waterproofing guidance explains what to look for.

Want a professional pre-rain inspection? Book a site visit and we will check roofs, drains and external areas in one visit.