If you thought we had seen the last of La Niña, then think again.
Watch: Rainy day chocolate cake
Unfortunately, the Bureau of Meteorology announced a third consecutive La Niña is likely this year.
“La Niña is underway in the tropical Pacific and the Bureau’s ENSO Outlook remains at LA NIÑA,” they said in a statement.
“La Niña increases the chance of above average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer.”
Here are eight things you can do to prepare your home for a third La Niña.
How to prepare your home and garden for La Nina
1. Reduce the moisture in your home
Wet weather during the warmer parts of the year can leave you and your possessions feeling damp and sticky. The muggy air also means the humidity levels in your home will be higher than usual.
The simplest way to reduce the humidity levels in your home is with a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers work by sucking air through sensors to extract moisture from the air. This moisture then goes into a water storage container which you empty when full. Here’s a list of the best dehumidifiers in Australia right now.
If you don’t want to purchase a dehumidifier, read our article on DIY ways to reduce moisture in your home.
2. Prevent mould
For the majority of us, mould has been a massive problem in our homes this year.
Mould thrives on moisture, and it can’t live without it, which is why the record-breaking rain has seen little black spots popping up in places they don’t usually appear.
The best way to prevent mould is to reduce moisture in your home and clean up or fix any leaks as soon as possible. In fact, mould can start to grow in 48 hours or less.
If you start to notice mould growing in your home, here’s a detailed list of how to remove mould from your clothes, shoes, walls, ceiling, bathroom and more. Read it here.
3. Repair any leaks
If you know you have leaks around your home, now is the time to fix them. What seems like a small leak could quickly become a bigger problem during the next downpour.
Signs you have a leak in your home include cracked or bubbling paint, park spots on your wall or a musty smell (mould).
4. Be prepared to fix a leak in an emergency
While prevention is critical, accidents happen. Luckily, a few handy items are worth keeping in your toolbox if you spring a leak while it’s already raining.
To help get you out of trouble until you can get the problem fixed permanently, Adam Dovile shows you how to seal a leaking downpipe.
He also has some advice on how to fix a leaking gutter in an emergency.
Finally, here’s what you should do if water leaks through your light fixtures while it’s raining.
5. Clean your gutters
You can also protect your gutters from developing a leak in the first place. Don’t wait for a storm to see if your gutters have a problem. Clean them out on a sunny afternoon and protect your home in advance with a gutter guard. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean gutters.
6. Prepare your lawn
Lawns love rain, but you can have too much of a good thing. Too much water and not enough dry time leaves previously lush lawns looking more like a walking track in your local park, not to mention the bugs and pests it will invite. Here’s how to stop your lawn from getting soggy and boggy.
7. Prepare your garden
Too much rain can lead to erosion, waterlogged plants, pest outbreaks and disease problems. For the novice gardener, heavy rainfall can be critical. Luckily, you’re in the right place.
Here are six helpful tips to help your garden survive a big wet.
8. Stay safe
Do you have an action plan in place in case your home is affected by a flood? Like any emergency, it’s essential to be prepared and learn how to protect yourself, your family, pets and property.
Here is a complete guide on what to do before a flood.
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How to remove water stains from your ceiling
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