Is my old roof in the North Bay ready for El Niño?

What should I check before the storms?

• Shingles curling, cracking or missing, especially on windward slopes and ridges
• Heavy granules at downspout outlets
• Loose or rusted flashing at chimneys, skylights, vents and walls
• Gutters and downspouts clear and draining away from the house
• Overhanging limbs over the roof
• Attic: water stains, damp insulation or daylight through the boards

Stay off the roof; use binoculars and the attic.

How old is the roof, really?

Age matters for both the repair-or-replace decision and insurance. Check permit records, purchase paperwork and invoices (how long roofs last). InterNACHI estimates about 20 years for 3-tab asphalt shingles and 30 for architectural shingles under normal conditions (InterNACHI).

When does a storm leak mean repair?

• One leak, in one place, at a vent, chimney, skylight or wall
• A few shingles blown off in a wind event on an otherwise sound roof
• Clogged gutters or valleys causing backup

When does a storm leak mean replacement?

• Leaks in more than one place, or a leak that moves each storm
• Wear across most slopes, not just one spot
• Soft or sagging deck
• The roof is past its expected life, or already has two layers (California's code bars a third: R908)

What should I do if it leaks during a storm?

Catch the water, move belongings, and keep people away from any bulging ceiling. Photograph the leak and damage for your insurer. Call a licensed roofer for emergency tarping once it's safe, and don't climb onto a wet roof.

What's different about the North Bay?

North Bay storms tend to find roofs under trees first: redwood and oak litter packs valleys and gutters in Mill Valley, Fairfax, Sebastopol and along the Russian River, and wind-driven rain tests ridge lines and flashing on exposed hillside homes in Marin and the Napa hills.