Coastal South Bay homes work their roofs harder than inland houses do. Salt air corrodes exposed metal, marine fog keeps surfaces damp overnight, summer sun bakes the south and west faces, and wind drives debris into valleys and behind chimneys. None of those is dramatic. All of them add up over time.

Before the rainy season (late fall)

  • Clear all gutters, scuppers, downspouts, and drains so the first storm runs clean
  • Check valley areas for leaves and debris that hide leak paths
  • Look at flashing at chimneys, skylights, walls, and pipe boots from the ground or a ladder if safe
  • Note any visible tile slippage, missing shingles, or lifted membrane edges
  • Walk the attic during the next rain and look for new staining or moisture

After major wind or storm events

  • Walk the perimeter and look for debris on the roof or in the yard that suggests roof damage
  • Check that fence-line debris has not been driven against the roof edge
  • Note any new ceiling or attic staining within 24-48 hours of the storm
  • Photograph anything that looks new before it gets worse
  • Schedule an inspection if anything looks new, even if it does not feel urgent yet

Before the dry summer months

  • Clear debris from roof valleys and behind HVAC units or roof-mounted equipment
  • Inspect exposed metal flashing, vent caps, and fasteners for corrosion (more important within a mile of the coast)
  • Check tile or shingle condition on west- and south-facing faces, which age fastest
  • Verify attic ventilation is clear and not blocked by stored items or recent insulation work
  • Plan any reactive repairs before they become winter-leak emergencies

Things worth photographing

If you can safely get a phone photo of the roof from a window, deck, or upper floor, do it once a year. Comparing this year's photo to last year's catches slow problems (granule loss, tile slippage, sagging gutters) that are easy to miss day to day.

When to call SunCraft

Call when the checklist surfaces something you cannot evaluate yourself, when you see new interior staining, when the roof is older than 15-20 years and you have not had it inspected, or when you are buying or selling a home and want a documented roof opinion. The free inspection turns the checklist into a real report.