Blame it on the Rain

by Abeer Sweis
February 21, 2019

Remember this catchy song from the late 1980’s? It popped into my head as I think about all the damage the recent rains have caused in our area. In an environment more often stricken with drought than torrential downpours, we Southern Californians are not used to so much rain! From the devastating mudflows in Santa Barbara County, to storm drains overflowing, to homes leaking, we are not as prepared for the problems water can cause to our built environment as we should be. But we can be prepared.

When water leaks into a structure it can be a trickster. Water flows in unpredictable patterns, it travels to far off places, and along mysterious paths. You could have water dripping down through your ceiling in one corner of the house and discover that the leak is due to a hole in the roofing material at the other end of the house. Between the ceiling and the roof the water has run along ductwork and conduit to get to its destination. Finding the source of a leak is a lot more work than preventing them in the first place. Here are some ideas:

Having your whole roof inspected by a professional periodically can help prevent leaks. An inspection will identify cracks in roof penetrations such as at skylights and at exhaust vents.
Water can get in through holes in the HVAC system. Ask your HVAC maintenance company to look for holes when conducting their regular maintenance.
Make sure to keep your gutters clear. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and overflow and reach your foundation. Make sure your downspouts are securely attached and direct water away from your home.
Properly waterproof planters that are adjacent to your home.
Make sure your landscaping is sloped away from your home and stays sloped away from your home through regular gardening.
Ensure that weatherstripping and seals around your windows and doors are in good shape.

Then once you have done all this, go out and enjoy what all this rainwater brings, wildflowers. I hear the Los Angeles area is expecting another amazing “super bloom” this year because of all the rain. This is our rainbow.