Preparing Your So-Cal Home For El Nino

If the El Nino rainfall predictions are correct, this fall and winter could be the answer to our drought-relief prayers. As with everything in life, however, be careful what you wish for. While there is a chance the precipitation will be only moderate, there is also the possibility of powerful, drenching rainstorms that can quickly create trouble on many fronts, such as the floods and mudslides of the dreadful ’97-’98 storms. Preparing your house now can be the best hedge against an unpredictable season. Here are 10 tasks to better position yourself against whatever challenges El Niño throws your way.

1. Check all Site Drainage: One of the biggest problems that needs to be remedied before the deluges begin is your site grading. Make sure the ground slopes and water flows away from your home structure and into the drainage system. With respect to perimeter gardens, the soil surface should not be above your slab foundation. Ideally, you want the soil levels to be 6” below the top of the concrete/footing. This is a current code requirement for new homes and remodels, but may not be the case if your home was built a while back. It’s also a good idea to trim back landscaping overgrowth particularly if you live on a hillside or in a low lying area. Water will always take the path of least resistance. This will ensure that when water starts coming toward your house, it makes its way AROUND the structure instead of underneath it.
2. Fix your leaks before it rains: Beyond spot checking your roof for any signs of aging, sagging or damage, which we recommend every Spring and Fall, the recent dry heat may have caused wood structures to shrink and to open up expansion joints, possibly creating leak points. When the rain comes, it will be difficult to trace the source of leaks because the wood will once again expand. Call your roofer to check for trouble spots and repair any old leaks. Most roof leaks occur at metal flashing connection points, so make sure the flashing is free of debris. Use your hose to make sure the flashing is directing water off the roof and into the gutters.
3. Clean out your gutters and downspouts — and then clean them again: Improper drainage can lead to a host of household problems, such as water damage, foundation, problems, and flooding, so before the expected rain starts it is important to clean all gutters and downspouts – and then again after the first rain. Also look for any breaks and make sure the gutters are tight against the roofline. While you’re at it, seal up any holes from cables and other wires that penetrate exterior walls.
4. Install a sump pump: This is especially important for anyone with sub-level housing space. With enough rain, ground water can invade below-grade spaces such as basements and garages even with good drainage systems in place. If you already have a sump pump, have your plumber service it before the rains come so it is ready to go with no obstructions. Otherwise, you may end up with a worker snorkeling through your crawlspace to find the problem. If water does seep under the house, it is really important to get rid of it as soon as possible to prevent mold issues.
5. Prepare for Sloping Stability: The seemingly perpetual drought has left our soil bare and vulnerable to erosion, and with more bare ground in California than normal, rain in the forecast also means there’s mud in our future. Mudslides can be a real issue – especially in areas with unstable soil. Purchasing or setting aside sandbags, swales, waddles, and 6mm rolls of plastic sheeting now will ensure you don’t have to scramble to track them down in the event your home needs extra protection. During the storm, be ready to place sandbags where problems appear, particularly if the landscape slopes toward your house.
6. Take note of your Home’s Footings: Some soils are EXTREMELY expansive. Especially after we’ve had such a dry period, when you get intense rains, the first two to four feet of soil quickly soak up the max amount of water they’re capable of holding. That saturation expands the soil, which puts enormous pressure on your home’s footings. If you don’t have footings that are designed to take care of that, the footings of your home can be damaged. Once they begin cracking and foundations start moving around, your home is at risk for water seepage under the house in the future. However, if your footings are holding strong, spread some mulch over any exposed soil and in your garden making sure that the layer slopes away for your house. A good layer of mulch will slow the rate of water absorbing in your soil and protect plants from the heavy rains.
7. Check the Exterior: Even in Sunny Southern California, a especially during El Nino, wind can blow sideways into all the nooks and crevasses of the house. Check for and fix all cracks or holes in and around your home. Cracks in paint and stucco can carry water directly into the wood and promote dry rot and termite invasion.
8. Examine your window glazing compound: The persistent hot, dry weather may have caused the glazing compound around your windows to shrink and pull away from the glass panes. Loosened panes can allow rain to trickle in. Check and recaulk each window as needed.
9. Do a preemptive strike on any potential invadors: If wet weather in the past has sent ants or other bugs scurrying into your house, now is the time to bring in an exterminator. Every outdoor critter will be looking for refuge during the downpour, and, unless you want to play innkeeper to a host of insects and vermin, it is best to act now.
10. Prepare for an Emergency: Update your home emergency kit. Make sure to have extra water and rations safely stored away, and keep all emergency repair items, like flashlights, sandbags, and heavy plastic sheeting in a secure dry place.

Although the rainfall and potential destruction caused by El Nino can be a stressful issue for any homeowner, these tips should help you manage it with ease. Also remember that being ever so in need of a good downpour in California, lets keep doing our part in water conservation, throughout these welcomed yet worrisome rains.