Monsoon not only brings along the intoxicating smell of the dry earth getting drenched, the piping hot tea and lip smacking pakodas, the splashing waters, children playing with tiny paper boats but also the dampness on walls, leaking roofs and a musty odd smell indoors. But there is nothing to worry about as these can be got rid of with simple remedies to give you that perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy the season.
Dampness in house is caused because of rain water getting through the walls or roof, moisture being absorbed from the ground, condensation settling on cold surfaces or a mixture of these. Make sure you find out the real cause of the dampness before you try to treat it, or else you could be using the wrong therapy altogether. ‘‘We actually put in a proper Damp Proof Course along with a continuous layer of damp proofing material, by removing a line of bricks close to floor level. This is followed by insertion of plastic sheet along the same line of bricks by replacing the old mortar with waterproof mortar to stop moisture wetting the walls,’’ said Rajan Panda.
People often hurry to paint over the water damaged spots on their walls to avoid the stain. Before taking any step, one should know that damp condition in walls can be caused by chronic condensation problems and as a result of saturation and gravity normally at the foot of the wall thus masking and exacerbating an increasing problem of dampness. ‘‘There are several ways of water proofing treatment to protect the house from dampness. Normally certain chemicals are mixed in the cement while constructing the house or also in the paints used to paint the walls. The expenditure is minimal and comes to `1 or 2 per square meter,’’ shared Sanjiv Guru, Architect and Town Planner. ‘‘Experts should assess the exact fault before treating the fault. Companies like Pedelite, Fosroc, Roff and Laticrite are doing a good job,’’ he added.
‘‘Refresh the rooms and drains with vinegar combined with baking soda which is a powerful freshener for drains. You can also put vinegar into a spray bottle and use it as a natural air freshener. Deodorise closets with freshly ground coffee. Leave the coffee in an open container in the corner of the closet and the musty smell will vanish,’’ said Pritipuspa as she shared some household tips. The market is flooded with incense sticks that can help get rid of odour in modern fragrances from Iris Home Fragrances like melon musk, orange blossom and Ambipur has many traditional room fresheners.
Essential oils like lemon grass, apple cinnamon or lavender in the vapourizers, when mixed with water refreshens the entire room, giving it a fresh feel. ‘‘Damp patches can be prevented by maintaining the painting and sealing the gaps around windows and door frames. The areas under windowsills must be cleared regularly,’’said Maya Sahay. So organise your home and have a fresh and warm house this rainy season.
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