Summary:

California's plumbing tends to struggle during rainstorms because of years-long climate patterns that include droughts and heavy rain. Dry periods reduce the flow of wastewater running through the pipes, which means grease, sediment, and debris are more likely to build up. At the same time, climate change is increasing the volume of water that falls during heavy rainstorms. A sudden rush of water can overwhelm cracked, blocked, or otherwise compromised residential and municipal systems.

What You'll Learn	How climate change affects the weather in California Why drought-rain cycles are hard on plumbing Floods and other major weather events in 2024–2025 How local municipalities are improving infrastructure
Next Steps	Schedule a camera inspection Install a backflow preventer and sump pump Call Caccia Home Services for help staying on top of storms

It's probably fair to say that most Californians are used to droughts. While  the Bay Area's dry cycles do tend to come and go,they can also last for months or years at a time.

Droughts strain the local water supply and lead to heavy restrictions on use, but being unable to water your garden isn't the only issue. Years-long dry conditions also wreak havoc on your plumbing, making pipes and other infrastructure more prone to corrosion and cracking.

Now,  climate change is bringing heavy rainstorms back to the region. A sudden rush of stormwater can quickly turn into flooded streets, backed-up drains, and costly property damage, especially if your system is already compromised.

Don't wait for the next storm to expose the cracks in your system. Schedule an appointment with Caccia Home Services to get help from pros who understand why this is happening and what you can do about it.

How Caccia Plumbing Can Help You Prepare for Rainstorms

At Caccia Plumbing, we're proud to help residents of San Mateo prepare for storms and respond to themwhen they strike. Whatever the weather brings, we're always standing by.

We can help with:

• Emergency plumbing to address problems like failures, floods, and leaks—even if they happen during a storm, outside of working hours, or on a holiday.
• Sump pump installation and repairs that help keep your basement flood-free during severe storms (or just when your old water heater decides to give up)
• Backflow preventers that help protect your home from contaminated wastewater if local lines become overwhelmed because of a rainstorm.
• Regular maintenance and inspections to pinpoint potential problems as early as possible so your plumbing stays free from clogs and reliable all year long.

Our licensed and insured plumbers have the knowledge and skills needed to protect homes from severe weather systems in San Mateo and the surrounding communities. You'll learn more about getting ready for rainstorms like these over the next few sections, but send us a message if you have any questions.

The Impact of California's Rainstorms

Heavy rainstorms in California caused billions of dollars in damage in 2025 alone. According to the Department of Water Resources, over 11.5 inches of rain fell between January and December. That's nearly 140% of the usual average.

In 2024,  California experienced at least three atmospheric river storms and a rare tornado that touched down near Santa Cruz, tossing vehicles off the road. These incidents affected plumbing and electric systems in a few key ways:

• February 2024. A string of atmospheric river storms occurred over Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the central coastline. Record-breaking rainfall triggered flash floods and overloaded local drainage systems, causing over 8 million gallons of sewage to spill onto the street.
• November 2024. Another atmospheric river event took place over the Bay Area and northern California. Heavy bands of precipitation dumped between one and four inches of rain on the Bay Area over a three-day period. Aging drainage and sewer systems struggled to keep up, causing water to back up into homes.
• December 2024. IA powerful level 3 storm pounded the Bay Area with torrential rain. The storm was severe enough to cause widespread power outages, flooding, and an F1 tornado that touched down briefly in Santa Cruz. It was quickly followed by a series of smaller storms affecting the Bay Area over the holidays.

California's storms are expected to grow more intense over the coming decade, pushing a system that's clearly already strained to the limit past what it can reasonably handle. But extreme weather isn't the only challenge—years of drought have made pipes even more vulnerable to damage over time.

Why California's Pipes are Struggling So Much

Why are residential plumbing systems breaking down during storms after years of drought conditions? The short answer is that too little water moving through your system is as big a problem as too much, which means conservation efforts, while necessary, can lead to breakdowns during rainstorms or floods. 

We get calls related to issues like these all the time:

• Pipes that corroding over time from not carrying enough wastewater during extended dry spells. They may crack or burst without warning, either during or after a storm.
• Decades-old sewer systems that were never designed to handle the kind of rainfall triggered by climate change. Storms can quickly overwhelm drainage points like these.
• Aging pipes and connections in older homes, which are more prone to needing repairs in the first place and often struggle to keep up during storms. They may fail without warning at any point. 
• Urban sprawl makes city and town water systems more vulnerable to failures over time. Every new addition or connection increases the burden on outdated systems.
• Poor maintenance practices at home can lead to clogs and blockages, triggering severe leaks, water damage, or sewage backups.

You can't control Mother Nature, but you do have the power to ensure your plumbing is up to the task before storms strike. We believe all homeowners should know how to turn off the water, when to schedule regular inspections (yearly), and where to get help fast.

Common Problems Caused by Overwhelmed Pipes

We've already talked about the factors that lead to pipes becoming overwhelmed in the first place. Now, let's take a closer look at how this causes problems for homeowners.

If your plumbing system isn't ready for the next storm, you might experience:

• Flooding in your street, front yard, or home. When water has nowhere to go, it can pool up quickly, leading to serious structural damage and expensive repairs.
• Sewage backups. Trapped wastewater with nowhere to go will look for the closest point of escape. Unfortunately, that typically includes your toilets and floor drains.
• Erosion and damage to underground pipes. High volumes of water increase pressure on pipes, which can lead to sudden cracks, explosions, and floods.

No homeowner looks forward to plumbing emergencies like these, but so many people make regular maintenance an afterthought until it's too late. Follow the steps in the next section to lower your risk for problems, both during and after storms!

Solutions to Improve Pipe Infrastructure

California's aging infrastructure can't be overhauled overnight, and the effects of climate change can be extremely unpredictable. But that doesn't mean homeowners and local governments can't start working together on short and long-term solutions right now.

Short-Term Solutions (What You Can Do At Home)

• Make regular maintenance a priority. Schedule a sewer and plumbing inspection at least once per year. If you have underground pipes, let us know—we have special Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment that can help us spot corrosion or leaks without digging.
• Install a sump pump in your basement or crawlspace. Sump pumps kick in automatically when they detect water and pump it out before it can cause a flood, even if you aren't home at the time. Battery packs and/or generators can help keep them online in a power outage.
• Add a backflow preventer to your sewer line. This is a simple and effective device that stops waste from re-entering your home when the system is overloaded. Regular backflow testing ensures that this system is working properly.

Long-Term Solutions (How Cities Can Improve Infrastructure)

Local municipalities like San Mateo are already taking action to improve stormwater management in a number of ways, but major changes to infrastructure don't come quickly. 

Jobs like these can take years to roll out:

• Expanding municipal sewer capacity. Upgrading local systems with larger-capacity storm-resistant pipes can help lower the risk for flooding and overflows during storms.
• Installing green infrastructure. Rain gardens, tree stands, and other green spaces help absorb stormwater naturally from the ground, reducing the burden on sewers.
• Rolling out flood prevention measures. Permeable pavement allows water to pass through walkways and roads so it doesn't pool up, while retention basins channel it away into ponds that can sometimes be cultivated into an attractive water feature.

Your task as a homeowner is to stay focused on what you can control: keeping your own plumbing in good repair. That includes everything from your house to your septic tank and/or the sewer line under the street.

Want to know more about what the government is doing to address stormwater risks and improve drainage? Visit the City of San Mateo or San Mateo County Sustainability Department online.

Stay Ahead of Storms With Caccia Plumbing

Proactive maintenance and infrastructure upgrades make it easier for California residents to sit out heavy rainstorms without facing serious structural damage or costly repairs. As climate change continues to intensify the systems that move through our region, staying ahead will become increasingly critical.

Take the first step toward peace of mind during rainstorms with the experts at Caccia Plumbing by your side. Send us a message or call (650) 442-1470 to ensure your  property and drainage system are protected from whatever the future brings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stormwater, Your Plumbing, and Preventing Storm Damage

When should I call a plumber after a storm?

Contact us whenever you need help or advice about your residential plumbing, no matter how big or small the job. If you're looking for help after a storm, you can send us a message or reach us by phone for faster help. 

We can help with:

• Slow drains
• Sewer backups
• Low water pressure
• Flooding in your yard or house
• Water damage and/or leaks
• Broken, cracked, or burst pipes

If you aren't sure whether you need a plumber, give us a call anyway. We're always happy to listen and recommend the right path forward.

How does rain lead to sewage backups in the home?

The technical term for this is hydraulic overload, but here's a simpler way to understand it. Think of a bathtub with two drains, one for normal water flow and another for emergency overflow. 

Under typical conditions, water flows smoothly down the main drain. If the tub starts to fill too quickly, the overflow should kick in and redirect the extra water.

But what happens if the overflow is blocked and you suddenly turn on multiple faucets at full blast? The water has nowhere to go, so it will eventually spill over the sides.

San Mateo has a separated sewer and stormwater system, but intensely heavy rain can still overwhelm drainage lines and cause water to pool up. That overflow can eventually seep into cracks in the sewer line—or even flood into your home.

Backflow testing can help detect wastewater from reversing reverse direction or entering your clean water supply. If we find a problem, installing a backflow preventer can help.

Will my sump pump still kick in if the power goes out?

Maybe. If your unit has a battery backup, you install a water-powered backup system, or you have a generator that kicks in automatically when the power goes out, your sump pump should continue operating normally. 

Sump pumps that don't have access to a power source or backup system often go down during severe storms and power outages. We don't recommend running units like these alone without support. Ask us how we can help you upgrade to a more reliable option!

Should I turn off my water during a severe storm?

In general, no—it isn't necessary as long as your plumbing is well-maintained and in good shape, but there are a few exceptions. If flooding occurs inside your home, a pipe bursts, or sewage begins to back up, you should turn off the water and call for help right away.

You should also be mindful of electrical hazards during a flood. If water reaches outlets, power strips, or appliances that are still plugged in, it can cause short circuits or even pose an electrocution risk. If you can get to your electrical panel safely turn off the main breaker. Then, exit the building and give us a call for help.