Dealing with muddy situations

We should seek ways  of adapting to the situation with the knowledge that it a season that will  pass. PHOTO| FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Have a mat placed strategically at the main entrance and back door.
  • This will ensure everyone coming in wipes the mud off  their shoes before entering the house.

It’s the rain season and, as they say, in some some places, when it rains it pours.This  is very common in places with black cotton  soil, which becomes extremely muddy during the  rainy season and takes time to drain.

We should not curse the rain in such situations; instead, we should seek ways  of adapting to the situation with the knowledge that it a season that will  pass.

below are a few simple measures you can take.

ACQUIRE A PAIR OF GUMBOOTS

With gumboots, you can easily walk through the mud since they are specifically designed for such use.  You can get yourself a hardy ankle-length pair which you can use up to the bus top, then changing into your  formal  shoes. If you can do this, you will arrive at the office looking presentable.

Also, get the right footwear for the season. Avoid sandals and open shoes that expose your feet to dirty water since it can lead to all sorts of infections.As much as possible wear closed shoes.

ROUGH RUG OR MAT

Have a mat placed strategically at the main entrance and back door. This will ensure everyone coming in wipes the mud off  their shoes before entering the house. The rough mat will help remove any mud stuck to the feet of the person entering.

MUD SCRAPER

Get a metal or wooden mud scraped and place it at the front and back door for those entering to remove the mud from their shoes. Scrape the mud from the scrapers from time to time to avoid a build-up of mud.

AT THE OFFICE AND PUBLIC PLACES

Place cartons at the main entrance to minimise the amount of mud that gets into the premises as people walk in. Have a metal shoe scraper right at the entrance.

CABRO  WALKAWAYS

Cabro allows smooth movement during the rainy season so if you can, place them  at strategic points within the premises. They make the compound look neat and are easy to maintain. However they can be a problem in places with poor drainage since they do not absorb water.

MURRAM

Murram absorbs water effectively  and makes it easier to drive or walk through. Residents organisations can lobby the county governments to have interconnecting roads laid with murram for ease of movement. This will eradicate unnecessary delays caused by heavy rains.

PROPER DRAINAGE

Investing in proper drainage ensures that  rainwater is directed to the right places. Estate associations can join hands to ensure this is done properly by consulting the relevant experts. The national government and counties should also allocate enough resources to ensure main/access roads have proper drainages. Developers should avoid building in riparian areas, where floowing is likely to occur. 

LANDSCAPING

Proper landscaping will ensure water moves along  its natural course, since gravity will direct all the rainwater to the established drainage systems.

TYRES

Investing in the correct size and type of tyres. Ensure they have good grip so that you do not skid.

UMBRELLA

A strong umbrella will come in handy, especially if it is windy.  Invest in a good one. If you are forgetful, you might want to go for the foldable ones because you can easily slip it into your bag.

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MUST-HAVE ITEMS WHEN IT RAINS

  •  An umbrella, preferably a foldable one which you can keep in your bag

  •  A waterproof bag for carrying your umbrella so that you keep it separately.

  •  A raincoat with a hood; if it doesn’t have a hood, you need a waterproof head covering. 

  •  A pair of gum boots if you will be doing a lot of walking

  •  A clean piece of cloth which you can use to wipe marks from you clothes or shoes in case someone splashes you or you step in water.