CUSH REAL ESTATE  |  HOMEOWNER GUIDE

Getting Your Home Ready for a Super El Niño Winter

By David Higgins, Founder & Realtor, Cush Real Estate

In a winter as wet as this one, homes that have never leaked can suddenly start leaking. Here’s how to prepare your home for El Niño and reduce the risk of leaks, flooding, and costly storm damage.

I’ll never forget one late October, just days before the first Sunday open house for one of my listings. A powerful atmospheric river rolled in and stayed for several days. By the time it passed, my clients’ basement had four inches of water in it. They had lived in that house for more than twenty years, and nothing like that had ever happened before.

It has happened in my own home, too, and to a number of my clients over the years. Every one of those experiences taught me the same lesson: when the storms are big enough, a house’s track record guarantees nothing. The homeowners who prepare ahead almost always come out of it with a smaller, more manageable problem.

That’s why I’m writing about this now. If you’ve been following the weather news, you’ve heard the term “Super El Niño” a lot lately. The Climate Prediction Center has said there is a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter, and a 69% chance of a historic event that would exceed the strength of every El Niño since 1950. For those of us who remember the winter of 1997–98, that gets your attention.

Some meteorologists expect a fairly light fall before the heavier storms arrive in winter. Nobody can promise exactly what we’ll get here in Oakland. But I’ve learned it’s far better to be ready and not need it than the other way around. Most water damage starts with something small: a clogged gutter, a sump pump nobody tested, a slow leak that went unnoticed for weeks. Here are some simple steps you can take now to prepare your home for El Niño and save real money, and a lot of stress, this winter.

Start With a 10-Minute Walkaround

Pick a dry afternoon and walk the outside of your home. Clear the leaves from your gutters, and make sure your downspouts send water at least a few feet away from the foundation. Look up at the roof for lifted or missing shingles and any gaps around vents, chimneys and skylights. If you have a sump pump, pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure it kicks on. While you’re at it, find your main water shut-off and your electrical panel, and label them so anyone in the house can find them fast in an emergency.

Have Your Roof Inspected Before the Storms

If your roof is more than 12 years old or has leaked before, I strongly suggest scheduling an inspection now. Once the storms start, roofers are flooded with calls, and in heavy rain the best most of them can do is put a tarp on it. Always use a licensed roofer; you can verify a license on the California Contractors State License Board website. Asking neighbors for references is always a good idea, too.

Make Sure Your Drainage Actually Works

This one gets overlooked all the time. Watch where water flows in your front and back yards. Make sure your drains are clear and sending water where it belongs, which in most cases is the curb. An easy test: run a garden hose into each drain and check that the water comes out at the street. If water pools in the same spots every year, or your crawl space is always damp, it may be time to consider a sump pump or better drainage. Rain barrels at your downspouts are another simple way to catch runoff, and you’ll be surprised how fast they fill.

If you live in the Oakland Hills or Berkeley Hills, this matters even more. Hillside homes need water moving away from foundations and slopes. If your sloped yard struggles with runoff, ground-cover plants can help hold the soil in place over time. And don’t forget to turn off your automatic sprinklers during rainy stretches.

Keep a Few Sandbags Handy

Sandbags are a last line of defense, but if water starts building toward a door or garage, they can make a big difference. The City of Oakland has typically offered free sandbags during storm season, so check the city’s website for current locations before the first storm hits.

Take a Look at Your Trees

Our neighborhoods are known for their beautiful mature trees, and they’re a big part of what makes the East Bay so special. But heavy rain and wind can bring down weak limbs. If you have large trees near your home, a licensed consulting arborist can check them for cracks, decay and weak branches, and recommend the right pruning. Avoid aggressive thinning or “topping,” which can actually make a tree less safe. Keep in mind that Oakland protects many trees, so check with the city before removing one. Arborists book up quickly this time of year, so I’d call sooner rather than later.

Review Your Homeowners Insurance

Now is a good time to pull out your homeowner’s policy and read it again. Many insurers have reduced water-damage coverage or capped payouts, so the coverage you think you have may have changed. It’s also worth getting a flood insurance quote, even if you don’t live near the water, so you can make an informed decision. Know your deductible, and remember that filing small claims can sometimes raise your premiums down the road.

One of the best things you can do takes about 15 minutes. Walk through your home with your phone and record a video of every room, including closets and drawers with valuable items. Email it to yourself so you have a copy. If you ever need to file a claim, you’ll be glad you did.

If Water Gets In, the First Hour Matters Most

Mold can start growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, so how quickly you act makes a big difference.

1. Stay safe. Keep people and electricity away from standing water.
2. Stop the source. If the problem is a leak, shut off the water at the main valve.
3. Document, then call. Photograph everything before anything is moved or thrown away. Then call your insurance company and a water mitigation company.

A Note for Homeowners Thinking About Selling

In California, sellers are required to disclose known water intrusion, leaks and drainage problems. As I always tell my clients, most post-sale issues come down to disclosures. Taking care of these things now protects your home this winter, and it also makes for a cleaner disclosure package and a stronger sale when the time comes. If you’re planning to sell, our Cush Concierge Program can even fund work like roofing, landscaping and plumbing repairs upfront, interest-free, paid when your home sells. If something does happen this winter, keep records of the repairs. Buyers respond far better to a problem that was handled properly than to one that was ignored.

A Note for Buyers

Shopping for a home this winter? The rainy season is one of the most revealing times to tour, because you can see firsthand how a house handles water. Our team of buyer’s agents knows what to look for, from water staining and yard grading to reading a seller’s disclosure for past water intrusion, and they’ll help you ask the right questions before you write an offer.

Don’t Forget Your Car and a Go Bag

Before the storms hit, check your tires, wipers, brakes, lights and battery. Keep your tank full, or your car charged, when a big storm is on the way. And never drive into a flooded street: it takes only about a foot of moving water to carry away most cars.

It’s also smart to keep a go bag ready with a few days of clothes, food and water, medications, a first-aid kit, phone chargers, some cash, and copies of important documents. If you have pets, pack one for them, too. For emergency alerts, sign up for AC Alert, Alameda County’s notification system.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

None of this is complicated, and most of it can be done in a weekend. Whether we end up with a historic winter or a milder one, these are good habits for any East Bay homeowner. If you’re not sure where to start, or you’d like a recommendation for a roofer, arborist or contractor, please reach out. Over the years we’ve built relationships with some of the best vendors in the Bay Area, and I’m always happy to share them.

Stay dry, and here’s to a safe winter.

If you’re not sure where to start, or you’d like a recommendation for a roofer, arborist or contractor, please get in touch with Cush Real Estate.