Journal / Mini series / The Storm-Ready Series
Mini seriesSeries 08 of 08
El Niño 2026 to 2027
Mini series
Part 01
NOAA gives this winter an 81% chance of a very strong El Niño. Here is what that could mean for your home, and five things to handle before the storms.
Part
Paint and caulk are your home’s first defense against wind driven rain. How to spot failing paint, what to fix first, and why fall is the time to do it.
Part
Rot starts small and hides under paint. How to find soft wood on sills, trim and siding, and why fixing it before winter costs less.
Part
Most winter leaks start where water’s path off the roof breaks down. How to check flashing, gutters and downspouts before heavy rain.
Part
Decks face winter with no roof overhead. A simple checklist for the ledger, posts, boards, railings, stairs and finish before the rain.
Part
Thirty minutes with your phone now could save you real trouble later. What to photograph, how to store it, and what a record can and can’t do.
Part
A sump pump that quits in January can leave water under your house for days. How to test yours, send the water away and plan for power outages.
Part
Most water damage starts as a tiny gap. The early warning signs, why speed matters, and how we find a leak’s true source before repairing it.
Part
A normal winter puts about 22,000 gallons of rain on a typical roof. This one could bring 38,000. How cracks and moss let water in, and how to fix them properly.
Part
Gutter guards mean fewer, easier cleanings, not zero. How the main types compare, what they can’t do, and when to install them.
