By Giovanni Longo, third-generation master plumber and certified Flood Mitigation expert, Flood Brothers Plumbing
Forecast note (as of Nov 5, 2026): NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has an El Niño Advisory in effect and expects a strong-to-very strong El Niño through January–March 2027, with chances remaining above 83% (CPC ENSO discussion, Oct 8, 2026; CPC status update, Nov 2, 2026). The National Weather Service in Los Angeles (AFD 12:43 PM PST Nov 5) keeps dry offshore weather through about Wednesday, a chance of light rain Thursday, Nov 12, then wet and unsettled weather from about Friday, Nov 13 into that weekend, with ensembles showing decent chances of widespread 1+ inch totals though timing and amounts remain uncertain (NWS Los Angeles AFD). NWS San Diego likewise flags a large trough late next week with substantial rain possible but low confidence in the details (NWS San Diego AFD). El Niño raises the odds of a wet winter, but it doesn’t guarantee one. Check weather.gov/lox before each storm.
I’ve pumped water out of more Southern California garages, patios and lower floors than I can count. Most of the flooding I see doesn’t come from a river. It comes from rain that collects somewhere low around the house and has nowhere to go. The fix is simple: move that water to the curb before it gets inside. You need three things: a pump, enough hose to reach the street, and a working outlet.
Step 1: Pick the right pump
- Submersible utility pump (my first choice). You drop it in the low spot and it pushes water out a hose. Look for 1/4 to 1/2 horsepower. Read the flow chart on the box. Pumps are rated in gallons per hour at a given lift, and they move less the higher they have to push. If your curb is uphill from the low spot, buy for that lift.
- Pool cover pump. These are made to sit in standing water and take a garden hose. They’re slower, but they’re a good fit for patios and pool decks.
- Automatic float switch. This is worth paying for if you can’t watch the pump all night, because it turns the pump on and off by itself.
Buy it this week. Hardware stores run out of pumps once the rain starts.
Step 2: Get enough hose, and the right size
Measure the walk from your low spot to the curb or gutter, then add 10 to 15 feet. A pump with a 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 inch outlet works best with lay-flat discharge hose in the same size. Never go smaller, because a narrow hose chokes the flow. A pool cover pump takes a regular garden hose. Lay the hose so it runs downhill to the street wherever you can, with no kinks and nothing parked on it.
Step 3: Route it to the curb
Send the water to the street gutter or storm drain, not your neighbor’s yard and not back toward your foundation. Pump only clean rainwater. If water has mixed with sewage, don’t pump it into the street. Call a professional.
Step 4: Set the pump in the lowest spot
Find the spot where water gathers first: a patio drain, the bottom of a driveway, a window well or a garage threshold. Set the pump on a flat paver so it doesn’t suck up mud and leaves. Clear the leaves around it before every storm.
Step 5: Prime it and test it before the storm
Do a test run with a bucket or garden hose while it’s dry outside. Some pumps need water over the intake before they’ll start. Confirm the water reaches the curb. Don’t run a pump dry for long, because that can damage it.
Safe when it’s set up right: the electrical part
Water and electricity can mix safely only when you set them up correctly. Here’s how I set up every pump:
- Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet only, and test it first: press TEST (power should cut off), then RESET. If it won’t trip or won’t reset, don’t use it.
- Use an outdoor-rated, heavy-gauge extension cord (12 or 14 gauge), as short as you can get away with. Skip thin indoor cords and power strips.
- Keep every plug and connection off the ground and dry. Hang it on a hook, set it on a bucket, or put it in a weatherproof connection box.
- Never handle the pump, cord or plug while you’re standing in water.
- Unplug before you touch, lift or move the pump. Every time.
- If water reaches an outlet, appliance or your electrical panel, get out and stay out. Call a licensed electrician or your utility. Don’t try to pump your way out of that one.
Step 6: Watch it during the storm
Check the pump every hour or two during heavy rain, or let the float switch do that for you. Watch for a clogged intake, a kinked hose or a GFCI that has tripped. If the water is rising faster than the pump can move it, call us.
Internal links: Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Hollywood Hills.
Need a hand before or during the storm?
Call or text 855-840-7800. A live person answers 24/7, and we offer same-day service. Flood Brothers Plumbing is licensed, bonded and insured (CA License C36-985487), we’ve been at this for more than 15 years, and we work directly with your insurance company. If water already got in, see our water damage restoration service: water removal and drying, odor treatment, tarps and board-ups.
Gio’s $99 Special
Before the El Niño rains and the holidays, get a sewer mainline snake plus camera inspection for $99. Mention "Gio’s $99 special" when you call or text 855-840-7800. Mention the special when booking; valid through 12/31/2026. See Gio’s $99 Special.
FAQs
Can I really use my pool pump to keep rain out of my house?
A pool cover pump or a submersible utility pump works well for standing rainwater on patios, driveways and garage thresholds. A pool’s main filter pump is built into its plumbing and isn’t the right tool.
How long does my hose need to be?
Measure from your lowest wet spot to the curb or gutter and add 10 to 15 feet so the hose isn’t stretched tight. Use the same diameter as the pump’s outlet.
Is it safe to run an electric pump in the rain?
Yes, if it’s set up right. Plug into a tested GFCI outdoor outlet with an outdoor-rated cord, keep the connections off the ground, and never touch the pump or cord while standing in water.
Where should I pump the water?
Send it to the street gutter or a storm drain, away from your foundation and your neighbor’s property. Pump only clean rainwater.
What if the pump can’t keep up?
Call or text 855-840-7800. A live person answers 24/7, and we offer same-day service.
