Why storm prep matters in Los Angeles
LA storms have a specific pattern. October and November bring the first Santa Ana wind events of the season, often with no rain but high wind loading that lifts loose shingles and dislodges already cracked tiles. December through March brings the rains, sometimes a few inches in 24 hours during atmospheric river events. The combination is what causes most LA roof leaks each year. Wind weakens the roof, rain finds the weakness.
Storm prep in late September through October catches the failures before they become leaks. A modest amount of work now saves a lot of money later, and the work is more comfortable to do in dry warm weather than during a January storm.
The October checklist
1. Clean the gutters
Gutters full of summer leaf debris cannot move water. The first heavy rain overflows the gutter, dumps water against the fascia and siding, and finds any weakness in the wall sealing. Clean gutters before the first storm. Single family ranches typically run $200 to $400 for a professional clean and downspout flush. We bundle gutter cleaning with a roof inspection for a small additional cost.
2. Walk the roof or have it inspected
Either you walk it yourself if the roof is low and you are comfortable, or you hire a contractor to walk it. The inspection looks for: lifted or curling shingles, cracked or slipped tiles, dislodged ridge caps, missing or rusted flashing, soft sealant at penetrations, debris piles, and any visible deck staining indicating prior leaks. We do free pre storm inspections for homeowners across LA.
3. Trim back overhanging branches
Branches that touch the roof or come within 6 feet during high winds will scrape, drop debris, and sometimes break and puncture the roof. Trim before storm season. The tree work pays back the first time a Santa Ana event sweeps through.
4. Check skylight and vent seals
Skylights and vent stacks are the most common interior leak sources during heavy rain. The flashing and sealant at these penetrations dries out and cracks over the dry summer. A visual inspection and sealant touch up takes thirty minutes and prevents a ceiling repair bill.
5. Confirm attic ventilation is clear
Blocked attic vents trap moisture, accelerate roof aging, and during storms can pressurize the attic in ways that lift shingle edges. Confirm soffit and ridge vents are unobstructed by insulation, bird nests, or debris.
6. Locate your roof emergency kit
Heavy plastic sheeting or a tarp, duct tape, a few wood furring strips, a battery flashlight, a bucket, and the phone number of a 24 7 emergency roofer. Keep these together so they are not scattered when you need them in the dark during a storm.
Special prep for tile roofs
Tile roofs do not need much storm prep if the underlayment is sound. The main concerns are cracked or slipped tiles that expose the underlayment to direct wind and water, and mortar failures at ridges and hips. Spot replacement of cracked tiles and re mortaring is straightforward and inexpensive.
If the underlayment is past 30 years on a clay tile roof or past 25 years on a concrete tile roof, the tile lift and re lay should be on the roadmap. Do not start it in October. Start planning in spring and execute in summer when the weather is dry.
Special prep for flat roofs
Flat roofs need more storm prep than pitched roofs. The drains and scuppers have to be clear before the rains, the seams need a visual inspection, and the parapet wall sealants should be checked. Ponding water during a storm is the failure mode that lets water into the building. Annual drain cleaning is non negotiable on any flat roof.
During the storm
If you have an active leak inside the house, the priority order is: move what is below, catch the water in a container, photograph everything for insurance, puncture a bulging ceiling into a bucket if it is forming, call the emergency line. Do not climb onto the roof. Do not enter the attic during heavy rain. We cover the detailed emergency procedure at /guides/roof-leak-emergency-checklist/.
After the storm
Walk the perimeter of the house and look for: debris on the roof, lifted shingles or tiles visible from the ground, ceiling stains inside, water in the attic if accessible. Schedule a post storm inspection if you saw any of these signs. Many post storm leaks do not show up for weeks because the moisture works through the system slowly.
If your home was damaged in a storm event, the documentation from the inspection can support an insurance claim. We provide damage documentation suitable for insurance adjusters as a paid service.