A roof inspection after Santa Ana winds should follow the wind, not just walk the roof. The inspector starts where gusts hit hardest, at edges, corners and ridges facing the canyons, then checks what sits underneath the tile, shingles or membrane. For Orange County homes, the right checklist depends on which roof type you have.
Wind just passed and you want the roof checked before the rain? Book your roof diagnosis online or call 1-888-346-7663.
What makes a roof inspection after Santa Ana winds different
A routine inspection looks at the whole roof evenly. After a Santa Ana event, a good inspector reads the roof directionally. These winds generally blow offshore from the northeast and east, so slopes, rakes and ridge ends facing that way take the first load. Comparing the windward side with the sheltered side helps separate fresh wind damage from older wear.
Our roof inspection service uses the 4-Phase Roof Inspection: interior, attic, rooftop and surroundings. After high wind, each phase has a specific job. Inside, we look for new stains. In the attic, we look for daylight at edges and penetrations, displaced insulation and any wet spots. On the roof, we follow the uplift pattern. Around the house, we check gutters, downspouts and drains for debris that will block water at the first rain, plus trees and branches that came down or now hang over the roof.
Tile roofs: the checklist that matters most
Concrete and clay tile is heavy, but it is not fastened solidly everywhere, and wind finds the weak points.
Ridges and hips
Ridge and hip pieces sit highest and catch the most wind. Whether they are set in mortar or fastened to a ridge board, we check for cracked or missing mortar, loose pieces and gaps where wind-driven rain can enter. Ridge lines that look wavy from the ground are a common clue. Our guide to ridge cap and ridge tile repair covers what fixing them involves.
Eaves, rakes and the first course
Gusts push up under the leading edge, so the bottom row and the tiles along gable rakes are checked for lifting, broken fasteners and cracked noses. A tile can drop back almost into place after lifting, which is why we look closely rather than judging from a distance.
What sits under the tile
Tile sheds most of the water, but the underlayment below is what keeps the house dry. Wherever tiles have shifted, slipped or broken, we check whether the underlayment has been torn, scuffed or left exposed to sun.
Why we sometimes lift a tile
When the surface looks fine but the attic or a ceiling suggests otherwise, carefully lifting a few tiles in the suspect area is often the only way to see the underlayment and fasteners. Our technicians are trained to step only where tile is supported, so the inspection doesn't create new breaks.
Shingle roofs: seals, creases and fasteners
On asphalt shingles, wind damage is often subtle. A shingle can lift, fold back on itself and lie flat again, leaving a crease across the tab and a broken adhesive seal. We check the windward slopes for creased or torn tabs, missing pieces, lifted edges along rakes and ridge caps, and exposed nails. Granules collecting in gutters or at downspouts after a wind event can point to shingles that were scoured or flexed. On shingle roofs, a few damaged pieces near the edge can let wind peel back more during the next event, so they are worth repairing promptly.
Flat and low-slope sections: edges and debris
Many Orange County homes have low-slope sections over patios, garages and additions, and these fail in different ways.
- Perimeter metal. Wind can loosen edge metal and the membrane fastened beneath it, which can let gusts get under the roofing.
- Seams and laps. We check for seams that have opened or lifted.
- Punctures. Palm fronds, branches and patio items blown onto a flat roof can cut or puncture the membrane in ways that are hard to see from below.
- Drains and scuppers. Leaves and debris piled against a drain after the wind can turn the first storm into standing water.
Before, during and after the visit
Before we arrive
Stay off the roof, especially tile, which breaks underfoot and may have loose pieces after the wind. Take photos from the ground of anything that fell, note where debris landed, and jot down the dates of the wind event. If you have an older inspection report, keep it handy so we can compare.
On the day
A technician walks through the rooms below the roof, checks the attic where it is accessible, inspects the roof following the wind pattern, and finishes with the gutters and surroundings. If we find an opening that needs attention before forecast rain, we tell you on the spot.
After the report
Your written report with annotated photos sorts findings into what should be fixed before rain, what can be scheduled and what is routine maintenance. Wind repairs are handled through our storm and wind damage service, which includes insurance documentation if you decide to file. Our Santa Ana wind insurance claim playbook explains how that process typically works. Every roof is different, so we don't publish prices; the report sets out the scope so you can decide on next steps.
Why homeowners call Rescue Roofer after the wind
Rescue Roofer has served Orange County since 1993 under California license #1137524, with offices from Yorba Linda and Orange to San Clemente and San Pedro. Our T.E.A.M. Certified technicians are trained in-house, and our "Warehouse on Wheels" trucks arrive stocked. If wind has left part of your roof open to the weather, our 1-hour arrival guarantee applies to emergency calls.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after Santa Ana winds should the roof be inspected?
As soon as practical, and ideally before the next rain. Wind damage found early is usually simpler to repair than water damage found later.
Can wind damage a roof that looks fine from the street?
Yes. Lifted and resettled tiles, broken shingle seals and cracked ridge mortar are often invisible from the ground, which is why the inspector checks the windward edges and ridges up close.
Does it matter which direction my roof faces?
It can. Slopes, rakes and ridge ends facing the northeast and east tend to take the brunt of Santa Ana gusts, so they get the closest look. Homes near canyon mouths and on exposed ridges often see stronger gusts.
Had strong winds at your home this season? Book your roof diagnosis online or call Rescue Roofer at 1-888-346-7663. We'll inspect the roof along the wind's path, show you what we find in the report and recommend the next step before the rain arrives.