What is the Los Angeles Rainy Season?
In Los Angeles, the Winter period, from December to February, is our rainiest season. In fact, according to the National Weather Service, the last couple of years have been some of the wettest back-to-back rain seasons ever! But before Winter arrives, the Fall season in Los Angeles is just wonderful: the weather becomes more temperate, we start to wear a jacket at night when the temperatures drop, and we get our Halloween costumes and candy ready for trick or treating! This is also the time when many of our clients who own Los Angeles homes are asking: how can we prepare our home’s landscaping and hardscaping for the Rainy Season?
Well, there are some important maintenance tasks that every property owner should undertake before the rainy season begins! Much in the same way that you wouldn’t drive your car in the rain without proper windshield wipers, you also shouldn’t neglect preparing your property for the rainy season! If you procrastinate, you are taking a chance on things going wrong. Here’s your checklist:
How should water drain away from my home?
In our region, it’s very common for rains to cause water to collect in and around homes. Such water intrusion can trigger a life-threatening mold and mildew invasion, and even impact the home’s concrete foundation, causing it to crack and sink, and the home to shift or crack. As such, it’s very important for you to make sure that your landscaping prevents water from pooling around your home and instead, drains water away from your foundation and property. There are many drainage solutions to choose from, for example, French drainage installation, area drains, channel drains, catch basins, flow wells, and sump pumps, and you should seek professional advice on this subject from professional drain contractors such as the ones at Weinstein Construction!
How should I inspect my home’s basement and crawlspace?
Your home’s basement and crawlspace (that area beneath your first floor) are especially vulnerable to damage from moisture, mold, mildew, termites, and even the occasional dead critter! Such areas should be inspected to make sure that they are clean and dry and when necessary, you should reach out to basement waterproofing companies such as Weinstein Construction, to enquire about basement waterproofing, leaky basement repair, or basement wall sealing. To protect basements and crawlspaces, many homeowners choose to install a crawl space encapsulation system that seals and protects from moisture and assault by pests and critters.
How should I seal a home’s hardscaping?
Your home’s driveways, walkways, patio, and even your retaining walls likely have porous joints and surfaces that can easily soak up rain water. If such surfaces slope toward your home, they can be funneling rainwater directly into your basement. If such surfaces are cracked, they will let water inside and this can cause lifting and buckling, or at the very least, reduce the lifetime of the surface. Check for cracks and reseal such joints and surfaces with appropriate, professional-grade sealants. Weinstein Construction is the LA region’s most specialized retaining walls contractor and drainage solutions contractors, so give us a call to discuss your needs!
How should I collect leaves and debris from my lawn?
If you leave mountains of soggy leaves, twigs, and other debris on your lawn, they can lead to mold, mildew, and permanent damage to your lawn. An easy way to prevent grass disease and unwanted water runoff is to make sure that all debris is off your lawn before the rains come! Moreover, before the rains arrives, aerate your lawn and re-seed where needed.
How should I check my home’s metal surfaces?
Water and humidity are metal-killers. As such, if you leave metal fixtures (for example, enclosures, furniture, barbecues, gates, railing, or tools) without paying them any attention, they will deteriorate, rust, and leave rust stains behind. To make sure your metal fixtures perform at their best, inspect them, lightly sand away rust spots, then follow-up by applying industrial-grade metal primer and paint that is specially-formulated to preserve and inhibit rust.
How should I clean my home’s gutters?
If your gutters are clogged with leaves, twigs, and debris, they can flood and allow water into your home! And so, take some time to make sure that all your gutters and downspouts are clear, and that water can flow out and away from your home. This is also a good time to make sure that your downspouts have pipes that can redirect water to a drainage system.
How should I inspect and treat wood surfaces?
Your home’s outdoor wood surfaces, for example wooden steps or wood decks, are especially vulnerable to water damage and can warp or raise fairly quickly. All such surfaces must be inspected for damage, and if necessary, replacement wood boards should be cut and installed. Be prepared to have the overall structure sanded, stained, treated, and sealed with a new protective coating every few years.
The professionals at Weinstein Construction are experts in waterproofing a basement wall, installing drainage systems, fitting crawlspace encapsulation systems, waterproofing and foundation repair, and basement foundation waterproofing. call us today at (866) 771-4847 for a free inspection and review of your Rainy Season needs!
