November 15, 1997 - Wade Roberts is ready for the worst of El Niño. The director of
Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar has had drains cleared and
the roof gutters cleaned on the 2.2 acre property.
He's performed similar duties at his Corona del Mar home to make sure
water can flow away swiftly from structures and off his property.
He's checked to see that drains are clear by running a hose at high pressure
through the drains to see how fast the water flows through.
To keep drainage lines clear of tree roots, he invested in a rooter machine.
A snake attached to the end of the line cuts tree roots that have invaded
drains.
Rico Montenegro, assistant director of the Fullerton Arboretum, advises
homeowners who are worried about an onslaught of intense rain and wind to
secure hillsides or slopes with fences or vegetation.
And Vic Eggars, co-owner of V&E Tree Service in Orange, says to inspect
and prune mature trees before they topple or lose branches. Heavy rains
add extra weight, and soggy soil weakens root systems.
"If you remove dead branches and those from overhead wires, and
prune to permit winds to pass through, there should be minimal or no damage
from El Niño," Eggars says.
With these precautions, landscapes should do well despite heavy storms.
"In fact, the rains can be very beneficial because they leach accumulated
salts from soils," Wade says.
Reinforce Hillsides
Houses on or below slopes are at risk if hillsides collapse. Reinforce
the area by rolling jute over bare ground and securing it with staples.
For long-term protection, plant ground covers or prostrate shrubs with
deep root systems. Landscape experts recommended wild lilac (Ceanothus),
coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), Mexican evening primrose (Oenothera
berlandieri) and some varieties of bougainvillea. Or overseed with a mixture
of native grasses. Should heavy rains arrive before you are prepared, at
right are some other ways to protect your property.
Filling and Stacking Bags
- Some important facts to remember when using sandbags:
- Filing: Fill halfway; overfilling makes bags heavy and difficult to
move and stack
- Placing: Stack with flap tied or tucked under and pointed in direction
of mud/water flow
- Remove Puddles
- Because water can't keep oxygen from reaching plant roots, puddles
should be removed from gardens.
- Cut a swath through and underneath the lawn, dig a narrow trench to
direct the water to the lawn where it can percolate.
- After the excess water has drained, the grass can be laid back in place.
Drain Standing Water
- Standing water can damage houses built on concrete slabs or on properties
where slopes direct water to structures. If you spot a potential problem,
install a French drain.
- Dig a trench 1 foot deep and 6 to 8 inches wide. Make it long enough
to carry water to the property's lowest part.
- Install flexible or perforated pipe in the trench. Backfill with coarse
rock. Cover surface with gravel.
Inspect Shrubbery
- Like trees, wood perennials and shrubs with dense growth and heavy
leaf canopies are susceptible to rain and wind.
- Inspect to see if there is any bend from the water's weight.
- Protect those by staking or surrounding with wire cages.
Create Drainage
Protect landscapes by cutting small depressions between the edges of
lawns and landscapes. "These are usually flat...But if there's a 2-inch
space along the lawn edge, water can drain away," Montenegro says.
Where to Get Sandbags
Some city and county fire departments will provide empty sandbags. Residents
must fill the bags. If sand is not available, bags can be filled with dirt
or rocks.
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If you experience problems or have questions, contact us at Info@ConstructionDefects.com.
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