Getting Your Home Ready for El Nino

Are you Ready for the upcoming El Nino?

After the past 4 years of drought, I know I will be happy to see the rain! Before the celebrations begin, however, there are some important things to check around your house.
1.   The first thing might be your roof. Check your roof to see if you can detect lifting shingles, exposed felt, deteriorating composition materials, flashing, etc.

If in doubt, hire an expert to come out and inspect it. Don’t wait for the first rain or you may be waiting for weeks to get someone to come out!

 Make sure your gutters don’t leak and are clear of any debris. I don’t have any overhanging trees, but have found tennis balls and birds nests clogging mine!

Check downspouts and make sure they are clear and that the water is directed away from the foundation. We use a flexible extender at the end of ours, but there are many decorative and permanent ways to direct the flow. See below:

2.   Check trees and large shrubs for weak or overhanging branches. Our trees have suffered from less water and may not be healthy enough to withstand hard rains and strong winds.You may want to consult with an expert.

3.   Think about runoff in and around your house and yard. Most of us in the Valley have clay soil, which holds water and creates wet spots. Check for areas that puddle and consider a solution to drainage.

Check your impermeable areas (solid concrete patios and driveways, for example). Consider ways to direct the water to areas where it can soak in instead of running into the storm drains. It may be possible to make some areas more permeable with pavers, stones, etc. so the water has a chance to percolate into the subsoil.

Consider storing the runoff water for use in other areas of the yard.
Mulch early in the Fall to keep it from washing away with the first rains.

4.   Consider your choice of plantings. Some plants that we have put in during the drought period may not stay healthy with too much rain water.

You may want to move these or remove them completely.
Think about “Summer Shade” and take this opportunity to plant trees and shrubs. They get time to establish themselves before they go dormant. This may also be a good time to put in native plants that are adapted to our climate swings.
Please don’t wait until the rains come or it may be too late! If you have any questions, consult with a professional. I would be happy to give some names of reputable companies I have used or go online and check reviews.
Good luck! Come on rain!