Maverick Plumbing urges Central Coast owners to winterize before storms

Maverick Plumbing Technicians has issued a seasonal checklist for homes and businesses across the Central Coast as forecasters point to a stronger winter storm pattern. The guidance focuses on sump pumps, drains, backflow devices and leaks, where small problems can turn into flood or contamination risks during heavy rain.

Why it matters: - Stronger winter storms raise the risk of flooding, blocked drains and water contamination for homes and businesses across Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. - Properties with basements, crawlspaces, older drain lines or irrigation connections face the highest exposure when rain intensifies. - Preventive checks can reduce emergency repairs and water damage during storm season.

What happened: - Maverick Plumbing Technicians, Inc. released a seasonal checklist for homeowners and property managers ahead of expected winter storm activity on the Central Coast. - The Santa Cruz-based licensed plumbing contractor serves Watsonville, Santa Cruz and surrounding communities in Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. - The checklist focuses on sump pumps, drains, backflow devices and common leak points. - Owner Jorge Ortiz said the same handful of plumbing issues typically appears once rain starts, and a short check now is less disruptive than dealing with a failure during a storm.

The details: - Sump pump failures are more likely in basements, crawlspaces and garages below grade when groundwater pressure rises after seasonal rain. - A basic functional check can confirm that a sump pump activates and drains properly. - Annual testing is especially important for properties that have flooded before. - Battery backup systems matter because storm-related power outages can leave a working pump unable to protect a property. - Storm debris and heavier water flow can turn a slow drain into a blockage quickly. - Older homes face extra risk because root intrusion and buildup can reduce sewer capacity over time. - Multiple slow drains or a sewer odor near a floor drain or cleanout can signal a mainline problem rather than a simple clog. - Commercial sites with many fixtures, including restaurants and multi-unit residential buildings, can see drainage issues compound fast during storms. - Heavy rain can increase the risk of contaminated water being pulled back into a clean water supply at irrigation or other cross-connection points. - Backflow preventers are designed to stop that cross-contamination. - Many jurisdictions require annual backflow testing. - Residential irrigation systems and commercial fire suppression lines or cooling systems are among the connections that may need testing. - Ground saturation and soil movement can worsen slab leaks or make hidden leaks easier to detect. - Warning signs include a higher water bill, the sound of running water when fixtures are off, and unexplained moisture in a wall, floor or ceiling. - Hillside and sloped lots can be more vulnerable because shifting soil becomes more pronounced during sustained rainfall. - Maverick Plumbing Technicians also notes that hard water is common on the Central Coast and can shorten the life of fixtures and water heating equipment, although that issue is separate from storm risk.

Between the lines: - The checklist reflects a broader shift toward preventive maintenance in storm-prone regions, where property owners are looking for guidance before problems become emergencies. - More homeowners are also researching plumbing issues online before calling a contractor, which points to stronger demand for educational content and early troubleshooting. - The Central Coast’s older housing stock and mix of below-grade and hillside construction make a few plumbing systems disproportionately important during rainy season.

What's next: - Maverick Plumbing Technicians says property owners can use the checklist as a basic reference point, not a full technical inspection. - More detailed guidance is available directly from the company for sump pumps, drains, backflow prevention and leak detection. - Property owners with active plumbing issues can contact the company for service. - Maverick Plumbing Technicians can be reached through the company’s website, by phone at (831) 515-9903, or by email at jorge@maverickplumbinginc.com.

The bottom line: - The key message is simple: check the systems most likely to fail before winter storms put them to the test.