Get Your Los Angeles Plumbing Ready Before the Heavy Rains Arrive
Los Angeles may be known for sunshine, but Southern California homeowners know that when the rain finally comes, it can come fast.
As we head into the 2026–2027 winter season, weather forecasters are closely watching a strengthening El Niño pattern in the Pacific. NOAA currently reports that El Niño is strengthening, with greater than a 90% chance of a very strong event during the fall and winter of 2026–27. NOAA's seasonal outlook also currently favors above-normal precipitation across California, with the strongest probabilities along portions of the California coast during the winter months.
That doesn't mean every storm will be severe or that every Los Angeles neighborhood will experience flooding.
But it does make this a good time to ask a simple question:
Are your home's drains and sewer lines ready for another wet winter?
A drain that is partially blocked may appear to work normally during dry weather. When heavy rain arrives, however, existing drainage problems can become much more noticeable—and sometimes turn into an emergency.
That's why fall is an ideal time to take care of slow drains, recurring clogs, and sewer-line problems before the first major storms arrive.
Why You Shouldn't Wait Until a Drain Is Completely Clogged
Most serious drain problems don't begin with a completely stopped drain.
They often start with a warning.
Maybe your kitchen sink takes a little longer to empty. Your shower water pools around your feet. A toilet occasionally gurgles. Or a drain develops an unpleasant odor.
These symptoms are easy to ignore when the plumbing is still technically working.
But buildup inside your pipes doesn't necessarily go away on its own.
According to Kessler Plumbing & Heating, soap, grease, hair, and other debris can accumulate inside plumbing over time, causing drains to become progressively slower until they eventually stop draining altogether.
Common Warning Signs of a Drain Problem
Keep an eye out for:
- Slow-draining sinks
- A bathtub or shower that drains slowly
- Recurring clogged drains
- Toilets that gurgle or drain unusually slowly
- Water backing up into a shower or tub
- Unpleasant odors coming from drains
- Multiple drains becoming slow at the same time
- A clog that keeps returning after being cleared
A slow drain is often easier to address than a completely blocked drain.
That's why Kessler recommends not waiting until a drain has completely stopped working before calling a professional.
Why Winter Rain Can Make Drain Problems More Urgent
Heavy rainfall puts additional pressure on drainage infrastructure.
While your home's interior plumbing and outdoor stormwater systems are separate in many situations, problems with sewer lines, drains, cleanouts, and other components can become especially inconvenient during a major rain event.
And if you already have a partially obstructed sewer line, tree-root intrusion, or recurring blockage, you probably don't want to discover it when a storm is already moving through Los Angeles.
Preventative maintenance is much easier to schedule on a dry fall day than emergency plumbing service during a major storm.
What Causes Clogged Drains?
Different drains can develop different types of buildup.
Kitchen Drains
Kitchen drains commonly accumulate grease, food particles, and other debris. Even when grease is poured down the drain in liquid form, it can eventually cool and accumulate along the interior of plumbing. Over time, that buildup can restrict water flow.
Bathroom Drains
Hair and soap are two of the most common causes of bathroom drain problems. A shower may continue draining for weeks or months while buildup gradually accumulates. Eventually, the water begins pooling around your feet. Kessler specifically identifies hair and soap buildup as common causes of clogged tubs and showers.
Sewer Lines
Problems farther down the plumbing system can be more difficult to identify. Tree roots, grease, debris, deteriorating pipes, and other obstructions can restrict a sewer line and cause recurring backups. If you've had the same sewer problem more than once, simply clearing the immediate clog may not address the underlying cause.
Professional Drain Cleaning Can Help Prevent Recurring Problems
Kessler Plumbing & Heating provides drain and sewer-line cleaning throughout Los Angeles, Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, and surrounding areas.
The company uses professional equipment and experience to clear clogged and slow drains, while taking care to treat your home and property respectfully.
And importantly, Kessler doesn't just focus on getting the water moving again.
The company emphasizes diagnosing plumbing problems and addressing them efficiently so homeowners can get back to their normal routines.
Learn More About Kessler Drain & Sewer Cleaning
When Hydro Jetting May Be the Better Solution
Some blockages are more stubborn than others.
If you've had repeated drain clogs or significant buildup inside a sewer line, traditional drain cleaning may not be enough to thoroughly clean the inside of the pipe.
That's where hydro jetting can be useful.
Kessler's hydro jetting service uses high-pressure water to remove debris, grease, and tree roots from inside plumbing lines. The process is designed to thoroughly flush the interior of the pipe and restore better flow.
Hydro jetting may be particularly helpful when you're dealing with:
- Recurring sewer-line clogs
- Grease buildup
- Persistent slow drainage
- Tree-root intrusion
- Stubborn blockages
- Sewer lines that have required repeated cleaning
Kessler describes its hydro jetting equipment as a high-pressure system capable of flushing debris, grease, and roots from plumbing lines.
Learn More About Hydro Jetting from Kessler Plumbing & Heating
Is Hydro Jetting Necessary for Every Drain?
No.
A professional plumber should determine what type of blockage you're dealing with and what method is appropriate for the condition of your plumbing.
Hydro jetting is one of the tools available when a more thorough cleaning is appropriate.
The objective isn't simply to sell the most expensive service.
It's to determine what your plumbing actually needs and solve the problem correctly.
Older Los Angeles Homes Deserve Special Attention
Los Angeles has a tremendous number of older homes and buildings, many of which have plumbing systems that have been repaired, modified, or replaced over decades.
Kessler works with both residential and commercial plumbing systems, including older plumbing that may require re-piping or sewer-line work. The company also offers services including leak detection, sewer repairs, sump pumps, water heater service, gas-line work, and commercial plumbing.
If your home has experienced repeated plumbing problems, it may be worth investigating whether the age or condition of the plumbing itself is contributing to the issue. A recurring clog isn't always just "another clog." Sometimes it is a symptom of a larger plumbing problem.
A Simple Pre-Winter Drain Checklist for Los Angeles Homeowners
Before the rainy season gets underway, take a few minutes to walk through your home.
Check your sinks
Are they draining as quickly as they used to?
Check your showers
Does water pool around your feet while you're showering?
Check your toilets
Do they gurgle, drain slowly, or require frequent plunging?
Check for recurring problems
If you've already had the same drain cleared multiple times, don't simply wait for it to happen again.
Pay attention to odors
Persistent sewer-like odors can be a sign that something isn't functioning properly.
Look at your outdoor plumbing
Make sure accessible cleanouts and drainage areas aren't obstructed by debris, landscaping materials, or other objects.
Consider professional drain cleaning
If your home has a history of clogged drains, sewer backups, or slow drainage, fall is a good time to have the system evaluated before the wettest part of the season.
Why Los Angeles Homeowners Have Trusted Kessler Since 1920
There are plenty of plumbing companies in Los Angeles. Kessler Plumbing & Heating has something that is increasingly unusual:
More than a century of history in the community. Kessler has been serving Los Angeles and surrounding communities since 1920, providing plumbing and heating services to residential and commercial customers. The company describes itself as locally owned and operated and emphasizes honesty, reliability, competence, professionalism, and cleanliness. That's not just a marketing slogan. A company doesn't remain in business for more than 100 years by treating every customer as a one-time transaction.
Locally Owned and Operated
Kessler is a locally owned company serving Los Angeles and surrounding communities rather than a national chain.
More Than 100 Years of History
Founded in 1920, Kessler has operated through generations of changing technology, plumbing systems, economic conditions, and building practices.
Fully Licensed
Kessler Plumbing & Heating lists California contractor license #925920 and describes itself as fully licensed.
Free Estimates
Kessler offers free estimates, including same-day estimates according to its website.
24/7 Emergency Service
Plumbing emergencies don't always happen between 9 and 5.
Kessler provides 24/7 emergency plumbing service, including emergency drain cleaning.
Residential and Commercial Experience
Kessler serves both homeowners and commercial properties throughout the Los Angeles area. Its services include everything from drain cleaning and leak detection to sewer repairs, re-piping, water heaters, gas lines, and commercial plumbing.
Technical Equipment and Experience
Kessler's service approach combines experienced technicians with modern plumbing technology, including equipment for drain and sewer cleaning and hydro jetting.
What Customers Say About Kessler
Customer feedback frequently highlights the qualities Kessler emphasizes itself: responsiveness, professionalism, fair pricing, and knowledgeable technicians.
For example, a recent customer review described the team as professional, punctual, friendly, and fairly priced, while another praised the company's work on a hydronic heating system. Another customer reported using Kessler repeatedly for construction and maintenance work and said the company was dependable and made sure customers were satisfied.
Kessler's customer feedback also includes long-term property-management customers who describe using the company repeatedly for plumbing issues and emphasize responsiveness and fair pricing.
You can read more customer experiences directly on Kessler's website:
Read Kessler Plumbing & Heating Customer Reviews
Don't Wait for the Next Storm to Find Your Plumbing Problem
No one can say exactly how much rain Los Angeles will receive during the 2026–2027 winter.
El Niño increases the probability of certain seasonal weather patterns, but it doesn't guarantee that every storm will be extreme or that every location will receive the same amount of rainfall. NOAA's current outlook does, however, favor wetter-than-normal conditions across California during portions of the upcoming winter and spring.
The good news is that you don't have to wait and find out whether your plumbing can handle the next major storm.
If you've already noticed a slow drain, recurring clog, gurgling toilet, unpleasant drain odor, or other warning sign, now is the time to have it checked.
Prepare Your Drains Before Winter
Kessler Plumbing & Heating provides drain and sewer cleaning throughout:
- Los Angeles
- Central Los Angeles
- Glendale
- Pasadena
- Burbank
- West Hollywood
- And surrounding communities
With more than 100 years of local history, 24/7 emergency service, free estimates, professional equipment, and a commitment to honest, reliable service, Kessler is ready to help homeowners and businesses prepare their plumbing for the rainy season.
Don't wait until you're standing in backed-up water to discover you have a drain problem.
Schedule your drain cleaning or sewer-line service before the winter storms arrive.
Call Kessler Plumbing & Heating at (323) 208-5394 for a free estimate or 24/7 emergency service.
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