Western Rooter & Plumbing Urges Southern California Property Owners to Prepare Plumbing Systems for Potentially Wet Winter

Company shares seasonal plumbing preparedness recommendations as NOAA forecasts developing El Niño conditions for the 2026-27 winter.

ARCADIA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2026 / As NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center indicates that El Niño conditions are developing and may continue into early spring 2027, Western Rooter & Plumbing is encouraging homeowners, business owners, and property managers across the San Gabriel Valley, Inland Empire, and Orange County to inspect vulnerable plumbing and drainage systems before the winter season.

Western Rooter & Plumbing shares seasonal prep advice ahead of forecasted El Niño conditions in Southern California.

According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, July outlooks indicate that El Niño conditions are strengthening and could continue into early spring 2027. While El Niño does not guarantee heavy rainfall in every Southern California community, stronger events can increase the likelihood of wetter-than-average winter conditions.

“As plumbers, we usually see the consequences after the rain has already exposed a problem,” said John Bottala, CEO of Western Rooter & Plumbing. “A slow sewer line, clogged storm drain, or neglected sump pump may seem manageable during summer, but several days of heavy rain can turn it into a sewage backup or flooded building.”

Heavy rainfall can allow stormwater to enter cracked sewer laterals, damaged pipe joints, open cleanouts, and root-intruded lines. As the system becomes overloaded, wastewater may back up through low fixtures such as tubs, floor drains, and first-floor toilets.

Western Rooter & Plumbing recommends watching for warning signs including gurgling drains, bubbling toilets, recurring slow drains, standing water near cleanouts, unexplained wet areas in the yard, and sewage odors during or after rainfall.

Property owners should also clear gutters, downspouts, roof drains, yard inlets, and parking-lot storm drains before the first major storm. Leaves, mulch, grease, dirt, and other debris can restrict drainage and redirect water toward foundations, crawl spaces, garages, storefronts, and lower-level units.

Buildings with sump pumps should test the pump, float switch, check valve, discharge pipe, and backup power source. Pumps that remain unused for long periods can fail when they are finally needed.

For older homes, restaurants, apartment buildings, and commercial properties, a sewer camera inspection can identify roots, cracks, offsets, corrosion, and developing blockages. Hydro jetting may also be appropriate for lines affected by grease, sludge, or heavy buildup that basic snaking cannot fully remove.

“Storm preparation is generally less expensive and less disruptive than emergency cleanup,” Bottala said. “The goal is to restore drainage capacity and identify weak points while there is still time to schedule preventive service.”

Western Rooter & Plumbing provides drain cleaning, sewer inspections, hydro jetting, sewer repair, sump pump service, and storm preparation throughout Southern California communities.

For more information about Western Rooter & Plumbing’s residential and commercial plumbing services, visit westernrooter.com or contact the company directly.

About Western Rooter & Plumbing

Western Rooter & Plumbing is a family-owned plumbing company serving Southern California since 1981. The company provides residential and commercial plumbing, sewer, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer repair, emergency plumbing, water heater services, and related services throughout Arcadia, Upland, Brea, and surrounding communities.

Media Contact:
John Bottala
CEO, Western Rooter & Plumbing
Phone: (626) 448-6455
Email: service@westernrooter.com
Website: https://westernrooter.com/

SOURCE: Western Rooter & Plumbing

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