As the Clouds Roll in and Rain Starts to Fall, Prepping Your Long Beach Home Can Save You Thousands

The rainy season in Long Beach and other parts of Southern California can sneak up fast: in a very short amount of time your sunny-day to-do list becomes “I wish I’d handled that last week.”

So, now that the first rain of the season is over, time to prepare for the rest of the season. Here’s a summary of some important actions to take inside and out that will help you weather the rainy days to come.

Start by evaluating the outside of your home:

• Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
  Clear every gutter and downspout, flush them with a hose, and make sure water discharges at least 4-6 feet away from the foundation
  Then replace cracked tiles and loose or worn shingles.  Reseal flashings around vents and chimney(s).  Install gutter guards if your palms or ficus trees shed heavily.  If you've got a flat or low-pitch roof (common for Long Beach and many parts of Southern California), check scuppers and roof drains for debris; standing water can lead to a leaky roof sooner or later.
• Walk Your Property After a Light Sprinkle or Rain
  Watch where water sits and/or flows, then look to correct it.  Add extensions to downspouts, re-slope soil to pull water away from your home.  Patch stucco to eliminate hairline cracks before they become entry points. 
  If your home is near the coast (Naples, The Peninsula, Belmont Park or Shore) where tides and storm drains can back up, keep a few sandbags at the ready just in case
• Evaluate the Slope of Your Home
  In many parts of Long Beach, your home may sit close to or even below street level.  If that's the case, there is a chance that water may matriculate toward your home and "pool" in certain cases.  This can cause thousands of dollars in damage.  So, having a small sump pump and backflow valve review is a cheap way to mitigate water puddles/"pooling" while adding "peace of mind"

Next, protect the inside of your home like a pro

• Windows and Doors
  Test all your windows and door weatherstripping, caulk any gaps and replace worn or old sweep seals at the base of the doors
• Garage and Outdoors
  Elevate storage in all garages, secure any outdoor furniture. Make sure any coil extensions are off the ground. 
• The Extras
  Consider creating a simple "rain kit" that includes towels, tarps, plastic sheeting, a wet/dry vacuum and extra batteries 
• Prep For Safety
  Trim trees away from roofs and power lines.  Test all your outdoor electrical outlets (GFCIs).  Always keep a portable charger ready. Sign up for local alerts with Long Beach and Los Angeles), keep a portable charger ready, and label your main water and gas shutoffs so anyone in the household can act fast. 

Follow these steps this season and the next rain storm that comes, you can have the peace-of-mind knowing you've taken the steps to make your home much safer from water damage.

Planning to Sell Your Home in 2026? 

As an 19 year Real Estate Advisor, I always encourage my clients to keep a simple log of all the upgrades, updates and maintenance (with receipts).  Home buyers in Long Beach love a well documented home.