Santa Ana Wind Roof Damage: What to Check Before It Rains
Santa Ana winds don't bring rain, but they set up a lot of the leaks that show up after the first storm. Here's what the wind does to Southern California roofs, what to check from the ground and the attic, and what to do before the next rain.
After a Santa Ana wind event, check your roof from the ground for slipped, cracked or missing tiles, lifted ridge caps and loose flashing, look for tile pieces in gutters and on the ground, and check the attic for daylight or displaced underlayment. Get any damage repaired or temporarily protected before the next rain, because that's when the ceiling leak shows up.
What Santa Ana winds do to a roof
Santa Ana winds are dry, gusty offshore winds that blow most often from October through March. They funnel through passes and canyons and can gust well over 50 mph in exposed spots. On the roof, they do damage that usually stays hidden until rain arrives:
- Tiles lift and slip. Concrete and clay tiles are heavy, but gusts can lift edges and slide them out of their courses, opening gaps to the underlayment.
- Tiles crack. Tiles knocking against each other, or debris blowing across the roof, crack them.
- Ridge and hip caps loosen. The mortar or fasteners holding caps let go, leaving the top of the roof open.
- Flashing pulls. Loose metal at walls, chimneys and skylights gets bent or lifted.
- Underlayment tears. Where tiles move, the old felt or synthetic layer beneath can tear or be exposed to sun.
What to check after a wind event
From the ground
- Tiles out of line along rows, especially at edges, ridges and hips
- Broken tile pieces in gutters, on the driveway, patio or in planters
- Ridge caps that look raised or have gaps
- Bent or lifted flashing at walls, chimneys and vents
- Branches or debris on the roof
In the attic
- Points of daylight that weren't there before
- Displaced or torn underlayment visible between rafters
- Fresh dust or debris on insulation below a damaged area
Stay off a tile roof. It's easy to crack more tiles than the wind did, and roofs are slippery.
Before the next rain
- Photograph what you can see from the ground, with the date.
- Call a roofer to replace or reset tiles and caps, or install temporary protection if a storm is close.
- Mark any existing ceiling stains in pencil so you can tell if the next rain adds to them.
- Consider whether to claim if damage is significant; see claim or pay yourself.
The full pre-season list is in the Diamond Bar storm checklist.
If the ceiling leaks in the next storm
A wind-damaged roof typically leaks near where the damage is: under a ridge, along an exterior wall, or below a valley. Catch the water, turn off nearby lights at the breaker, and check the attic while it's wet. Then the roof gets repaired first, and the ceiling is dried and rebuilt; see why ceilings leak only when it rains and roof leak detection.
Santa Ana wind damage questions
Timing, checks and insurance.
When do Santa Ana winds happen?
Most often from October through March, with the strongest events typically in late fall and winter. They can occur as early as September and as late as spring.
Can Santa Ana winds cause a roof leak?
Not directly, since they're dry winds. But they lift, slide and crack roof tiles, loosen ridge caps and pull at flashing. The leak shows up later, during the next rain, which is why wind damage often goes unnoticed until a ceiling stains.
How do I check my roof safely after a windstorm?
From the ground with binoculars, and from a ladder at the eaves if you're comfortable. Look for tiles out of line, broken pieces in gutters or on the ground, and ridge tiles that look lifted. Don't walk on a tile roof; tiles break underfoot.
Will insurance cover wind damage to my roof?
Wind is a covered cause of loss in most homeowners policies, so sudden wind damage, and the interior water damage that follows from the opening it created, is often covered. A roof that was already worn is a different story. See homeowners insurance and water damage in California.
Which Diamond Bar homes take the most wind?
Homes on ridgelines, at the top of slopes and at the mouths of canyons, where wind accelerates. But strong Santa Ana events affect the whole valley.
What should I do if I find damage?
Photograph it from the ground, call a roofer for a repair or temporary protection before the next rain, and check the attic for daylight or displaced underlayment. If a claim is likely, document it before repairs start.