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I think it is still a problem and always will be - yes it was  a bad winter last season ( and we are expecting another one as we have had a good summer) but its not a lot different in milder winters.....mind you it still better than our own home country for sure.....

Nope I dont think so - I have watched several go up over the last four years and they are built in exactly the same way as they have been built for a long long time. They use a concrete block with a cavity within the block (more for cost than insulation qualities)  but the walls are not two blocks wide with a cavity between them. they are then skimmed inside and outside with a render / plaster and then painted..

Thank you :-)

So as a renting tenant facing her first Maltese winter with some trepidation, is there any thing I can/should do to minimise the chance of mould developing in my flat?

plenty of ventilation, keep your wardrobe doors open to allow air to circulate. Buy some elec blankets for the bedding - put them on low for an hour or so before going to bed to ward off the effects of the damp / humidity. Also a tip - get a single one to drape over your clothes drying frame and put your morning clothes on it on low. get a dehumidifier and use it to dry up the atmosphere and you will find it actually feels warmer.

That's useful, thanks.

I'm going to order some more vacuum storage bags to store 'summer' clothes in over 'winter' there.
I also spotted some very good offers on halogen heaters and electric blankets at our local supermarket so I will buy some and ship them out there.
Any other suggestions?

A PS. Can you buy re-usable dessicant/silica gel in Malta easily?

we have tried the halogen heaters theyre not too effective in my experiences with them....it may be down to the make and model tho.

good idea on the vacuum storage

electric blankets here are expensive so buy them before you arrive

not sure about the gel - i cant imagine theyre not available - there is not much you cant get (if anything) just got to be prepared to pay the price!

Hi redmik, check John Lewis' Crystal Dehumidifiers and refills on johnlewis.com. Their online division delivers to Malta, so you would be able to replenish the refills. They also have silicone crystal packs for cupboards, they are excellent.

Correction on dehumidifier post - the 'crystal packs for cupboards' are the Crystal Dehumidifiers & Refills! I should have said look also look at their dehumidifier machines:)

Thanks all. Our freighting list is getting longer by the day!!

I arranged stay in a hotel inside Buggiba and was curious if anyone believes this sort of thing is existent in all buildings or how to see what areas are prone to flooding ????? ( was warned to expect this )

flooding is a problem all over the island - the drains here are rubbish and cannot cope with the heavy deluge of water during a major thunderstorm - it doesnt rain much here but when it does - you know about it.....

do a search in you tube for malta flooding for examples

@ToonArmy9752 ... What areas do you think are best if any in Malta?

toonarmy9752 wrote:

flooding is a problem all over the island - the drains here are rubbish and cannot cope with the heavy deluge of water during a major thunderstorm - it doesnt rain much here but when it does - you know about it.....

do a search in you tube for malta flooding for examples

Not Msida or Birkikara, that's for sure!

@Dreamkin I just need a room on the second or third floors if inside those areas ?????

dreamkin wrote:

Not Msida or Birkikara, that's for sure!

or Qormi......

Well I'm in SLIEMA and my flat floods through the balcony everytime it rains anyway, so I shouldn't get accusing!

I think I need to buy a wetsuit.  ( Business Suit, Wet Suit, Birthday Suit ... Got it )

dreamkin wrote:

Well I'm in SLIEMA and my flat floods through the balcony everytime it rains anyway, so I shouldn't get accusing!

waders and a water pump

It happened to me as well but i thoufgt it was cause we live on a groundfloor flat...soo would you say that it doesn't matter what floor you'r in ?

For me it's because the balcony door is one of the Maltese wooden ones and there is no proper seal underneath the door

have you tried draft excluder ?

I stick a towel underneath it to soak up as much as possible.

Flooding has two aspects- one of specific neighbourhoods that are prone to extensive flooding like parts of Birkirkara and Valley Road , Msida, parts of Gzira and a few other locations. If you get caught in heavy rain just keep clear of those areas and wait until it stops or use alternate routes. Don't try to drive through water of unknown depth or the tunnels on the Regional Road or Valley Road!

The other is due to problems with the building you live in. Leaking roofs, water overflowing down walls and accessing through windows, balconies/terraces that let water get into the appartment and so on. Every building is different - even new ones like ours can flood if the rain is intense enough.

In the areas prone to flooding a ground-floor flat might not be that smart but those areas are well-known !

The other issues are difficult to avoid when the rain really comes down.

You should make sure that the balcony drains are free of dirt/leaves . If windows are old and let water in there is not much you can do. If a roof is leaking you can renew the roof sealing and also make sure that the rain water can drain off (check that pipes are open).

The best is to try and avoid damage to furniture or electrical equipment and just mop up if it happens. The weather usually clears up fast -)))

Cheers
Ricky

For me it's because the balcony door is one of the Maltese wooden ones and there is no proper seal underneath the door 

yes same here , same door and i use same method, i still wonder though if it will get worse in winter will the towel be enough?
One thing i've noticed is that my landlord doesn't seem preoccupied at all , told him few times and he answered that it's nrmal and the towel should do ....bah !!!!
giuseppina

giusidda wrote:

For me it's because the balcony door is one of the Maltese wooden ones and there is no proper seal underneath the door 

yes same here , same door and i use same method, i still wonder though if it will get worse in winter will the towel be enough?
One thing i've noticed is that my landlord doesn't seem preoccupied at all , told him few times and he answered that it's nrmal and the towel should do ....bah !!!!
giuseppina

situation normal there then!!!!!!