5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for El Niño

Last month we all received a reality check as the El Niño rains came pouring down around our communities. The roads were slick, areas flooded, and our world-class first-responders worked diligently to help those in need. While we experience respite from the rain, we suggest you review your home’s plumbing and prepare your space for the next set of rainstorms. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Outdoor Area Drains:
Check and test outdoor drains for proper operation. Remember: even if your drains worked properly last season, you’ll want to test them again this season. Additionally, trees desperate for a water source during the drought may have rooted in some of your drain pipes. Now with the increase of rain, the roots will continue to grow. If you’ve noticed slow drains in and around your home, call a plumber!

2. Sump Pumps for Dewatering Systems:
Sump pumps sit in the basement, inside a crawl space, or just inside. They pump out water that collects in a basin and send it to the outdoors, usually to the street gutter. A sump pump serves to keep your basement or crawl space dry. If you already have a sump pump in place, you’ll want to call an expert to service it and make sure it’s working properly before the rains come. If you had problems during the last set of storms, you may consider installing a sump pump at your property. Even with good drainage systems in place, with enough rain, groundwater can enter below-grade areas, like basements, garages and crawl spaces. Correctly installed dewatering systems can protect your structure from water damage.

3. Water Alarms:
Invest in a few water alarms so you will be notified in the event you experience a leak in your home and/or garage. Our technicians can help you strategically place the water alarms for maximum effectiveness.

4. Automatic Watering System:
Turn off or reset your automatic watering system until the rains subside. Better yet, save the rain water in barrels and use it to water the plants around your yard!

5. Rain Gutters:
To do their job, rain gutters need to be clear of leaves and debris. If water doesn’t flow freely through the drain pipes, you could encounter some problems. Be sure your rain gutters are free from obstruction so they can properly route water runoff and drain away from your home.

We’ve barely scratched the surface on ways to prepare your home for the rainstorms that El Niño can bring. Our expert technicians at Ideal Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical are happy to help you get prepared.

Contact Ideal to help prepare your home for the El Niño Storms! 619-583-7963 • ideal@idealsvc.com