Is Your Home Ready for the First Big Rain?

In Los Angeles, we can go months without much rain. Then one good storm comes along, and suddenly that drain you’ve been ignoring becomes a pretty big problem.

The good news? You don’t have to be a plumber to spot some of the warning signs.

Before the rainy season gets going, here are five things worth checking around your home.

1. Take a Look at Your Outdoor Drains

Walk around your property and find the drains in your driveway, patio, backyard, or other low areas.

Are they covered with leaves, dirt, or debris?

Remove anything sitting on top of the drain grates. It’s a simple job that can make a real difference when heavy rain arrives.

But here’s something people often miss: a clean drain grate doesn’t mean the pipe underneath is clear.

Roots, mud, and years of accumulated debris can restrict underground drainage pipes. If water has been pooling around a drain during previous storms, it may be time for a professional drain inspection.

2. Check Your Sump Pump Before You Need It

If your home has a sump pump, don’t wait until it’s raining to find out whether it works.

Check that the pump has power, that the discharge line isn’t visibly blocked, and that the pit isn’t full of debris.

Some sump pump systems can be tested by carefully adding water to the pit, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

If the pump doesn’t start, makes unusual noises, or runs without removing water, something may be wrong.

Sump pumps can sit unused for months, and mechanical or electrical problems aren’t always obvious until the system is needed.

A professional sump pump inspection or repair is a lot easier to arrange before a storm than during a flooded basement or crawl space.

3. Pay Attention to Slow Drains

Does your shower drain slowly? Does the toilet gurgle when another fixture is used? Have you had the same drain cleaned several times?

These might seem like small annoyances, but sometimes they’re warning signs of a bigger sewer problem.

Tree roots, damaged pipes, and accumulated debris can restrict wastewater flow.

Heavy rainfall can make existing drainage problems more noticeable, particularly where stormwater enters a sewer system through improper connections or defects.

If multiple fixtures are backing up, don’t assume a bottle of drain cleaner will solve the problem.

A sewer camera inspection can help identify what’s actually happening inside the pipe.

4. Look for Water Where It Shouldn’t Be

Think back to the last time it rained.

Did water collect near the garage? Was there a puddle that stayed in the backyard for days? Did water get close to a doorway or foundation?

Those are worth investigating before the next storm.

Walk around your property and look for low spots, blocked drainage channels, and areas where water appears to flow toward the house.

You can clear surface debris yourself, but persistent standing water may point to an underground drain blockage, damaged drainage pipe, or grading problem.

Not every puddle requires a plumber. But recurring flooding deserves attention before it causes damage.

5. Don’t Forget the Drains You Can’t See

This is probably the most important one.

You can clean every visible drain grate around your property and still have a blocked pipe underground.

We’ve seen tree roots grow inside sewer lines, old pipes deteriorate, and underground drains become packed with debris.

From the surface, everything can look perfectly normal.

That’s where professional drain cleaning and camera inspections can help. Instead of guessing, we can investigate the condition of the pipe and determine whether cleaning or repairs are needed.

A Little Preparation Can Save a Lot of Trouble

You don’t need to schedule a plumbing appointment every time rain appears in the forecast.

Start with the basics. Clear the leaves, check your drains, look at your sump pump, and pay attention to anything unusual.

But if you’ve already experienced flooding, recurring drain clogs, or sewage backups, don’t wait for the next storm to see whether it happens again.

At Pacific Plumbing Team, we help homeowners with outdoor drain cleaning, sewer camera inspections, sewer line repairs, and sump pump service.

We serve West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and surrounding communities.

Not sure your drainage system is ready for the rainy season? Contact Pacific Plumbing Team. We’d be happy to take a look before the next big storm.