It rains so seldom that when it does happen, and we mean when it really rains and not just drizzles, it’s something of an event. And that gives you even more reason to stay up on your home maintenance during the rainy season – late autumn through early spring. Notable storms in recent years have illustrated that getting too comfortable in our region’s forgiving climate can lead to expensive repairs when that first heavy rain of the year hits. Stay ahead of the weather by following this basic home maintenance checklist for the rainy season.
Roofing, Gutters, Downspouts: Ensuring Your Shelter Stays a Shelter
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When heavier-than-usual rains hit a few years ago, compromised roofs led to some rude awakenings. So, your rainy season home maintenance checklist should prioritize roofing, gutters, and downspouts. Take some time to inspect your roof for broken or missing shingles, cracks in weather-resistant flashing, corrosive rust around vents or your chimney, and, of course, any portions of the roof that sag. If you don’t trust your own assessment, hire a professional.
Since leaves and palm debris can quickly clog your gutters, it’s also crucial to set aside some time before the rainy season to get your gutters in shape. This may not seem that critical, but when a heavy storm dumps inches of rain into backed-up gutters, the overflow can actually damage your home’s siding – or even its foundation.
Speaking of foundation, your home maintenance checklist should also account for how efficiently your downspouts are working. Pay particularly close attention to how far from your home the draining water is diverted. An adequate downspout should push water several feet away from the foundation. Anything less could lead to standing water at the base of your home. And we don’t need to tell you that’s a major (and quite possibly costly) risk.
Keeping Water Out with Well-Maintained Exterior Seals and Drains
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Now that you’ve ensured that water can’t leak in from above, it’s time to make sure that your home’s exterior seals and drains are in good order. Start by looking at the seals of your windows and doors. If caulking is cracked or compromised, water could penetrate the home, creating significant damage. Stucco is particularly prone to this.
Hillside homes and low-lying lots face extra struggle when LA’s heavy rains arrive. If this sounds like your home, make sure the surrounding drainage spots are clear of debris and potential blockages. This is also an opportune time to ensure that rain runoff is diverting away from your home and not toward it.
In drought-prone Southern California, rain barrels can help with water collection and conservation. If you employ rain barrels, make it a part of your rainy season home maintenance checklist to inspect that they’re in working order. Pay close attention to connections and clear the overflow drain covers if necessary.
Getting Your Yard Ready for Wind and Heavy Rain
Photo credit: Envato
The state of your yard can quickly lead to rainy-day headaches if unkempt. Therefore, incorporate some overdue landscaping, if necessary, into your home maintenance checklist for the rainy season. The biggest threat comes from any tree branches that loom over your roof and gutters. When a heavy storm hits, these limbs can quickly block up gutters with shed debris or even cause damage to your roof itself.
Again, owners of homes on sloped lots will need to do some extra due diligence with their home maintenance checklist for storm season. Monitor your yard for any signs of soil erosion or barren areas that could contribute to mudflow hazards. This is particularly important for areas like Altadena and the Palisades that were severely impacted by the historic 2025 wildfires.
For those with loose patio furniture, gardening equipment, or children’s toys, set aside some time before oncoming storms to round these items up and store them somewhere secure, like your shed or garage. These loose items can easily become dangerous projectiles in high winds or, at the very least, serve as additional clogging hazards for nearby drains.
Stopping the Flood from Reaching Indoors
Photo credit: Envato
Possibly the most intimidating point of vulnerability in the rainy season is a structure’s plumbing – simply because these complex systems can be costly to maintain and repair. But by using your rainy season home maintenance checklist to address issues before they snowball, you can stay ahead of these problems and save money in the long run. Start by closely inspecting the pipes beneath your sinks and water heater, looking for signs of slow leaks. These tiny leaks can quickly become big problems when the rains start to fall. If anything looks out of the ordinary, address it now.
Basements and crawl spaces are particularly prone to flooding, so check these areas for any signs of moisture. Besides the inherent flood risk, trapped moisture in a basement or crawl space can also lead to costly and destructive mold infestations, and even contribute stress to the structure of the home itself. Many basements employ a sump pump to prevent flooding. If you use a sump pump to help maintain your basement, add a pre-storm inspection of it to your home maintenance checklist. This includes ensuring the sump pump’s battery backup is in good condition.
Thinking Beyond the Physical with Your Home Maintenance Checklist
A comprehensive rainy season home maintenance checklist goes beyond the physical structure itself to review systemic protections – because as much as you prepare for a storm, the weather often has its own plans. Take this as an opportunity to review your homeowner's insurance policy. Is flooding covered? How about storm-intrusion? What falls under “normal” water damage? Be sure to compare your coverage with your home’s flood-risk status.
Photo credit: Envato
Your home maintenance checklist should also account for an emergency kit or possibly even a go bag. If you created an emergency kit during that time, it may need to be updated. Make sure you have working flashlights, fresh batteries, tarps, and sandbags before entering the rainy season.
Don’t Get Caught in the Rain
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