Rainy season on Bonaire: get your home ready for flooding and roof leaks

The rainy season on Bonaire runs roughly from October to January. Most of the year the island is dry, but in these months a lot of rain can fall in a short time. With 7 simple checks you prevent most of the damage to your home.

I'm Andres, a plumber, electrician and handyman on Bonaire. After every heavy shower I get messages about leaking roofs, water inside and breakers tripping. Almost always it could have been prevented. In this post you'll read what you can do right now.

Why a shower on Bonaire causes so much damage

On Bonaire rain often falls in short, heavy bursts. The ground is dry and hard, so the water drains away poorly. In many places the street drainage can't cope, and new construction sometimes sends the water straight towards homes.

The houses themselves aren't always built for a lot of rain either. Many homes have a flat roof, and drains and sealant go unchecked all through the dry year. Sun and salt also make sealant and roofing brittle faster.

The 7 checks before the rainy season

1. Clear roof drains and gutters

Sand, leaves and bird nests block your roof drainage. During a shower the water then stays on the roof and finds another way in.

What to do: clean gutters, roof drains and downspouts. Flush them with a garden hose to see whether the water runs off properly.

2. Check your flat roof

On a flat roof, look for cracks, bubbles in the roofing and spots where water stays standing. Pay special attention to the edges and to places where pipes, the AC or a solar water heater go through the roof.

What to do: have small cracks and loose sealant fixed before the first big shower. Have bigger damage checked.

3. Reseal windows, doors and frames

The sun makes sealant hard and it comes loose. Rain blowing sideways against the house then gets in through the gaps.

What to do: check the sealant around windows, doors and frames. Replace sealant that is cracked or loose.

4. Check outdoor sockets and lights

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Outdoor sockets without a cover, broken outdoor lights and loose cables cause short circuits in the rain.

What to do: make sure outdoor sockets are waterproof and have a cover. Have the RCD (ground fault switch) in your breaker panel tested. It cuts the power if something goes wrong.

5. Let water flow away from your house

The ground around your house should slope away from the house, not towards it. Also check that drains in the garden and on the driveway are clear.

What to do: remove sand and leaves from drains. Empty buckets, pots and containers where water collects, because standing water attracts mosquitoes.

6. Check the AC drain

An AC pulls moisture out of the air, and in the rainy season the air is more humid. A partly blocked drain then overflows sooner.

What to do: check that water drips out of the drain hose outside properly. Is your AC already leaking? Read: AC leaking water or not cooling? 7 causes

7. Garden and loose items

Strong wind and rain often go together. Loose roof sheets, branches above the roof and garden furniture can cause damage.

What to do: trim branches hanging over the roof. Secure loose items or bring them inside.

During a heavy shower

• Water inside near sockets or the breaker panel? Switch off the power at the main switch, but only if you are standing somewhere dry. Don't touch anything electrical with wet hands or feet.
• Roof leaking? Put a bucket under the leak and move things out of the way. Don't go up on the roof during the shower.
• Take photos of the damage and of where the water comes in. That helps with the repair and possibly with your insurance.

After the shower

After a heavy shower, take a look around the house. Watch for damp spots on the ceiling and walls, water under window frames and mould in corners. Open the windows and let wet spots dry properly. A damp spot that doesn't disappear after a few days points to a leak that needs fixing.

What can I do for you?

I can do the checks above for you: clean drains, replace sealant, check outdoor sockets and the RCD, and fix small leaks. For bigger roof jobs I look at what's needed together with my team.

I charge USD 25 per hour, with a minimum of 2 hours. Materials are extra. You always hear the cost first. Not on Bonaire yourself? Then we agree on WhatsApp what I'll check for you.

Frequently asked questions

When is the rainy season on Bonaire? Roughly from October to January. It can also rain hard outside those months, but less often.

Does Bonaire get hurricanes? Bonaire lies on the edge of the hurricane zone and is rarely hit directly. A tropical storm nearby can still bring heavy rain and wind.

Can I clean the gutters myself? Yes, if you can reach the roof safely. Use a sturdy ladder and never go on the roof alone or in strong wind.

My roof is already leaking. What should I do? Catch the water, move things out of the way and send me a WhatsApp with photos of the leak, inside and on the roof. I'll take a look as soon as possible.

Why does my power trip when it rains? Usually water is getting into a socket, light or cable outside. The RCD then cuts the power. That's a good thing, but do have the cause found.

Getting your home ready for the rain?

Send me a WhatsApp with what you'd like checked and your neighbourhood. Photos of your roof, gutters and outdoor sockets help. I work all over Bonaire.