Most roof leaks we get called for in the San Fernando Valley could have been caught in October. After months of heat and dry wind, the first heavy rain finds every crack. Here’s what to check before rain season, most of it from the ground.
1. Clean the gutters and downspouts
Leaves and debris back water up under the roof edge and into the fascia. Clear them out and run a hose to make sure downspouts drain away from the house.
2. Look for cracked, slipped or missing tiles and shingles
Use binoculars from the yard. On tile roofs, look for broken or shifted pieces. On shingle roofs, look for curling, cracking or bare spots.
3. Check for granules in the gutters
Sand-like granules collecting in gutters mean your asphalt shingles are wearing out. A little is normal on a new roof; a lot on an older roof means it’s near the end.
4. Inspect flashing around chimneys, skylights and vents
Most leaks start at flashing. Look for rust, gaps, lifted edges or old dried-out sealant.
5. Look at flat roof sections for ponding
If water sat on your flat roof for days after the last rain, the drainage needs attention before the next storm.
6. Check the attic
On a sunny day, look for daylight coming through, and for water stains or dark spots on the underside of the roof deck.
7. Trim overhanging branches
Branches scrape roofing, drop debris and can break off in wind.
8. Look for ceiling stains inside
Even small stains near exterior walls can mean an active slow leak.
What a professional pre-rain inspection adds
A walk-around from the ground catches the obvious problems, but many leaks start where you can’t see them: under tile, at flashing behind chimneys and walls, and on flat sections out of view. When we inspect a roof, we walk it, photograph every problem area, check the attic where we can, and send you the photos with a written price for anything that needs work. You decide what to fix now and what can wait.
Fall is the best time to do this. Roofers in the Valley get booked solid after the first big storm, and materials and scheduling are easier before the rush.
When to call a roofer
If you find damaged roofing, worn flashing, ponding, or stains, it’s far cheaper to repair now than after water reaches the decking and drywall. We offer free pre-rain roof checks across the Valley: we’ll get on the roof, photograph what we find, and give you a straight price. Call (818) 350-2740.