How the Rains of the Holiday Season Will Show You a Roof Leak

A water stain making its way across the ceiling just as the family comes in for the holidays? Or have you been left to put out buckets in the wake of a downpour when you should be getting into the spirit of the season? It is easy to ask yourself what has got into your roof, which was perfectly sound through the summer, to start leaking with the first sign of rain.

Then there are those of us at Specialist Roofing who get the call about it every winter. We are here to put right any holiday leak. Give us a ring at (747) 307-5518. As a California contractor that is local and family run, we have been in business in Southern California since 2011 and can tell you why the year’s first rains have a way of unearthing issues.

The Winter Leaks of Southern California Roofs

For months on end our part of the state sees hardly any rain. Your roof is put to the test by the sun in the long dry spell; sealants will crack, shingles dry out and small gaps open up that one would not see in clear weather. The steady rains that come with the holidays put all those weak spots to the test in short order.

More often than not the damage is concealed by the dry season only to be laid bare in the wet one, and some homeowners are not aware of it until water is in the house.

Signs the Rain Has Uncovered a Problem

Your roof will make known when something is amiss once the holiday rains set in. Be on the lookout for these after a storm:

• Brown rings or stains on a wall or ceiling
• A musty odour or the sound of drips from the attic
• Paint peeling or drywall bubbling up near the ceiling
• Daylight showing in the attic or sagging
• Gutters that overflow and water pooling by the downspouts

Make no mistake, a drip on the first day is a major repair if you let it go on till the holidays are done. Water will not wait.

Clogged Gutters Only Add to the Trouble

Debris and leaves from fall have a habit of clogging the gutters ahead of the rainy season. Clogged gutters mean the water has nowhere to go but back up and over, running down the fascia to pool at the roof edge where it can seep under the shingles. Properly installed gutters do their job of moving water off your property; when they do not, a big holiday storm will send it in places it ought not to be. We deal with both roof care and gutter installation for that very reason.

Spotting a Leak? Here is What to Do

To safeguard your home and the roof, prompt action is in order. We would advise the following:

• Get furniture and other valuables out of the way
• Put a bucket under any dripping
• If the ceiling is bulging, make a small hole with care to let the water out
• For insurance purposes, document the damage with some photos
• Stay off a wet roof, it is too hazardous
• Have a licensed roofer come out to get to the source of the problem

And do not think a leak is mended because it has stopped with the rain. It is biding its time for the next storm.

The Case for an Early Repair

If you put off a roof leak it will not stay one. The water will compromise your insulation, rot the framing and introduce mold to your air. An entire rainy season of inattention can turn a single stain into a project in need of replacement. By addressing it with the first of the holiday rains you can opt for a repair rather than a full replacement down the line.

What Makes Homeowners Put Their Trust in Us

We are a BBB accredited firm with an A plus rating and have the credentials to show for it: GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred and CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified. Licensed and insured in the state of California (1007386), we have been at it since 2011 from Ventura to LA and Orange County, Long Beach and over to San Diego and the Inland Empire.

You can count on a free inspection and an estimate you can believe, with a 100 percent guarantee of satisfaction. And if a storm comes in the middle of the night we are on hand, being available 24/7. Qualified buyers can take advantage of our financing for new roofs, no interest or payments for 12 months.

Before the next storm has its way with you, call us at (747) 307-5518 and let Specialist Roofing track down the source of a leak so it does not put a damper on your season.