Storm-season checklist for Rías Baixas holiday homes

What to check on a coastal Galician property between October and March — drains, roof, salt exposure, exterior fittings and the things insurers will ask about.

Atlantic depressions reach the Rías Baixas one after another from late autumn through early spring. A house that survived August perfectly can take serious damage by January if nobody is checking it. The checklist below covers the inspections we run on coastal client properties at the start of each storm season.

Roof and gutters

• Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves, pine needles and bird debris.
• Check ridge tiles and flashing for movement after summer heat.
• Inspect any roof valley for blockage — these cause the worst leaks.
• Photograph the roof so post-storm changes are obvious.

Drains, terraces and the perimeter

• Rod and flush French drains and surface channels around the house.
• Lift terrace sump covers and clear silt before the first heavy rain.
• Check that pool overflow and pumphouse drains are free.
• Cut back vegetation pressing against walls — it traps moisture and salt.

Salt exposure

Anything within roughly 500 m of the open sea takes a constant salt aerosol. Stainless screws and brackets corrode, painted railings blister, and electronics in unheated rooms fail silently. A pre-winter rinse of exterior fittings and a check of exposed metal is worth the hour it takes.