La Jolla · Owner guides · Home care

Storm season checklist for a coastal La Jolla home

Short answer: Fall is a good time to get a coastal home ready for winter rain. Clear the drains and gutters, look over the roof, and check slopes and walls. The City of San Diego lists these steps for owners. Nobody can promise what a season will bring, so plan for rain either way.

Most of our rain tends to come in the cooler months. On the coast, wind, salt air and steep lots add a few extra things to watch.

I help owners in La Jolla and around coastal San Diego get homes ready to live in or to sell. This checklist follows the City’s own tips.

I’m Weston Clark, Founding Member of the Dickinson-Clark Team at Compass. I help owners in coastal San Diego keep homes in good shape, whether they plan to stay or sell. You can talk about fees with Weston directly. This form does not give a commission quote.

Talk to Weston Jump to FAQ Bluff homes

Clear the drains first

The City of San Diego tells owners:

“Inspect and remove debris from retaining wall drains, surface drains, culverts, and gutters prior to the storm season.”

In plain words, water needs a clear path off your lot. A culvert is a pipe or channel that carries water under a path or driveway. Leaves and sand can block all of these in a single windy week.

Look at the roof

The City also says:

“Inspect roofs to check for loose tiles, holes, or other signs of distress.”

Salt air can wear down flashing (the metal strips that seal roof edges) and fasteners faster than inland. A roofer can look before the first big rain.

Walls, slopes and seawalls

For homes near the shore, the City says:

“Inspect all structures, including seawalls, revetments, and bulkheads, for signs of distress, loss of material, obstructed drainage, or exposed reinforcing steel, prior to the storm season and after every storm.”

A revetment is a sloped wall of rock that protects the shore. If you see cracks, bulges or blocked weep holes (small drain holes in a wall), call a licensed engineer. See my bluff homes guide for permit basics.

Inside and around the house

Test sump pumps, if you have one.
Check that downspouts drain away from the house.
Look for damp spots or stains on ceilings and walls.
Move valuables up and off the floor in a basement or garage.
Keep sandbags on hand if water has pooled before.

Check your coverage

A standard home policy usually does not cover flood. Ask your agent what yours covers. See my flood insurance guide.

If the home sits empty for part of the year, see my vacant home guide too.

General information only

This checklist is general information. It isn’t engineering or insurance advice, and it isn’t a weather forecast. Ask licensed pros about your own home.

FAQ

When should I get a La Jolla home ready for storm season?

Fall is a good time, before the cooler months bring most of our rain. The City says to inspect drains and walls prior to the storm season.

What does the City of San Diego tell owners to check before storms?

It lists drains, gutters, culverts, roofs, slopes and shore walls. Clear debris and look for signs of damage.

What should I check on a seawall or bluff wall?

The City says to look for signs of distress, loss of material, blocked drainage or exposed steel, before the season and after every storm.

Does home insurance cover flooding in La Jolla?

A standard home policy usually does not cover flood. Ask your insurance agent what your policy covers.

Can anyone predict how wet this winter will be?

No one can promise what a season will bring. Plan for rain either way and check your home each fall.

Is this storm season checklist legal advice?

No. It's general information about home care. It's not legal, engineering or insurance advice.

Talk with Weston about your home

Tell me about the home and what worries you before winter. I can point you to the right local pros.

Or call (858) 997-8998 · weston@sandiego.homes · Search on Compass

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Sources

Weston Clark · Founding Member of the Dickinson-Clark Team at Compass · (858) 997-8998 · weston@sandiego.homes

Weston Clark, DRE #02122466 · Compass, DRE #01527365

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, compiled from sources deemed reliable but not verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

⌂ Equal Housing Opportunity. This page is general information about places and process — not legal, tax, title, insurance, lending, or financial advice. This is not a weather forecast. Confirm home care with licensed pros. Brokerage compensation is discussed directly with Weston for the specific transaction.