Bali's rainy season typically runs from November through March, and in Sanur a single downpour can turn a small roof leak into a flooded living room within an hour. The good news: most of that damage is preventable with a few hours of inspection done while the sky is still clear. Here is what I look at when I walk through a Sanur villa before the first big storm arrives.
When to Start
October is the sweet spot. The dry season is winding down, you can still get onto the roof safely, and any repairs have time to cure before the heavy rains begin. If you missed October, do it as soon as possible – even mid-November beats waiting for the first 40 mm downpour to show you where the problem is.
Schedule your checks on a dry morning. The afternoon heat makes ladder work miserable, and low-angle light hides hairline cracks in tiles and flashings.
Roof
Many Sanur villas are ten to twenty years old, and the combination of sea air, salt spray, and UV does real damage to clay tiles, zinc flashing, and sealant. Climb up (or hire someone with proper harnesses) and look for cracked or slipped tiles, corroded flashings around chimneys and skylights, and peeling paint along the eaves.
Pay special attention to the valleys where two roof planes meet; that is where water channels concentrate. Re-seal gaps with a quality silicone or polyurethane sealant, and replace cracked tiles rather than gluing them back. If the whole roof feels tired, a full re-tile or membrane replacement will save you from patching every single year.
- Check tile edges for white salt-crystal buildup from the sea breeze
- Inspect flashing around AC condenser pipes and satellite dishes
- Make sure ridge caps are seated and not lifting
- Look under eaves for rust streaks on steel brackets
Send me a photo of your roof, gutter, pool, or tech room on WhatsApp and I will tell you exactly what needs attention before the next storm rolls in.
Gutters and Downspouts
Leaves from frangipani, banyan, and coconut trees clog Sanur gutters faster than most owners expect. A blocked gutter overflows onto the wall, erodes mortar, and can seep behind plaster within one wet season. Clear every run by hand or with a small scoop, then flush it with a hose to confirm water flows freely into the downpipe.
Check that each downspout discharges at least 50 cm away from the foundation. In older villas I often find the pipe simply ends above ground and splashes straight against the wall. Retighten loose hangers, and repaint any section where the zinc coating has worn through – the humid air eats bare metal quickly.
Septic Tank
This is the item most villa owners skip until something starts smelling. Many Sanur properties still use a two-chamber concrete septic system rather than a full treatment plant. Before the rains, have the tank pumped if it has not been serviced in twelve to eighteen months. A full tank loses its ability to separate solids, and once the water table rises during the wet season the effluent can back up into your lowest drain.
Also check the vent pipe on the roof; it should be clear so the tank breathes properly. If you notice a persistent sewage smell near the garden after rain, stop using the drains and call a professional before the situation worsens.
- Pump the tank if last service was over a year ago
- Clear the roof vent of bird nests or leaf debris
- Test the lowest floor drain for slow flow
- Avoid pouring cooking oil or harsh chemical cleaners down the sink
Pool
Rainwater dilutes chlorine, shifts pH, and introduces organic load that a standard filter struggles with. Before the first big storm, top up the pool to mid-skimmer level, brush the walls, and run a thorough vacuum. Check the skimmer basket, pump strainer, and filter sand for wear; replace the sand if it is more than five years old.
If you have a pool cover, make sure it seals well – a flapping cover lets in twice as much debris. During heavy rain expect to re-balance chemicals within twenty-four hours of each storm. Never mix different chlorine products or add acid at the same time; if you are unsure about dosing, send me a photo of your test strips on WhatsApp and I will walk you through it.
Safety note: if you ever get a strong chlorine smell inside the villa near the equipment area, ventilate immediately and do not attempt to fix the chemical imbalance yourself. Call a professional.
Technical Room and Equipment Area
The tech room – often an open space under the stairs where the water heater, PDAM pressure tank, well pump, and electrical panel live – gets overlooked until something shorts out. Wipe down all connections and look for green corrosion on copper fittings; the sea air accelerates this. Test the automatic float switch on the rooftop tank so it shuts off correctly; a stuck-open valve can flood the ground floor during a long rain when PDAM supply drops.
Make sure the well-pump junction box has no standing water and that the cable entry is sealed. If you see exposed wiring, rusted terminals, or a burning smell near the panel, stop using that circuit and call an electrician before touching anything else.
- Inspect and clean the PDAM inlet filter
- Check the rooftop tank lid for cracks and algae growth
- Ensure the septic inspection chamber is accessible and unblocked
- Keep the area dry; add a small dehumidifier if mould appears
Questions
How often should I have my Sanur villa's roof inspected?
Once a year, ideally in October before the rains. If your villa is over fifteen years old or sits close to the beach, twice a year is wiser. A quick visual check from the ground plus a ladder inspection of flashings catches most problems early.
Can I clear my own gutters, or do I need a professional?
If you are comfortable on a stable ladder and the run is short, clearing leaves by hand is straightforward. For multi-storey villas, steep pitches, or if you find structural damage to hangers, bring in someone with proper access equipment – falling off a wet tile roof is simply not worth the risk.
What should I do if my septic tank starts backing up during heavy rain?
Stop using all drains immediately, especially the lowest ones. Do not pour water into any fixture hoping to flush it through. Open windows for ventilation and call a plumber or septic service to assess whether the tank needs emergency pumping or there is a blockage in the outlet line.
I'll reply with what's needed, a price and when I can come.
