San Diego County homeowners may want to inspect their roofs before El Niño brings the possibility of heavy rain, potentially avoiding costly emergency repairs once storms arrive. NOAA has said a “potentially very strong” El Niño season is on the way. El Niño is not a storm but it influenc es weather patterns. No two seasons are alike — some have been dry, some wet and others are closer to average but homeowners should be prepared, according to Emilio Lopez of San Diego Roof Doctor. Lopez, a San Marcos roofer with more than 40 years of experience, said problems that go unnoticed during dry weather can become apparent during a major storm. Roof inspections, gutter maintenance and trimming overhanging branches are among the steps homeowners can take now to prepare for potential wet weather. “We’re going to get a lot of water that we haven’t seen in a very long time,” Lopez said. San Diego County saw the potential impact of persistent heavy rain during flooding in January 2024, when the city and hundreds of homeowners were caught off guard by downpours. Lopez said roof damage can sometimes be difficult for homeowners to spot. Whether you have a shingle or a tile roof, regular inspections can catch a problem before a storm hits. “Sometimes you get hairline cracks, they separate and they expose the black paper or the underlayment,” Lopez said pointing to a piece of tile on a table in front of him. Regular roof inspections and maintenance can go ignored until heavy rain exposes a leak. Waiting until a storm to call for repairs can make it more difficult and potentially more expensive to find someone available to do the work, Lopez said. “Because then prices go up, people are going to be busy, they’re going to start turning down business where you’re going to be calling all kinds of different roofers and everybody’s going to be busy. So then meanwhile, you’re living with the roof leak,” Lopez said. For about $200, a licensed company can inspect a roof and assess how well it may protect a home and its contents from rain. “Once you start seeing fibers in the shingles then it’s time for a reroof,” Lopez said as he picked up a sample. Emilio Lopez, owner of San Diego Roof Doctor, shows how neglected rain gutters can lead to costly repairs. Homeowners can also clear gutters and downspouts so heavy rain can flow away from the home’s foundation. Clogged gutters can cause water to rise and damage parts of the roof structure. “Because the water level will rise up and start going through the spikes which would start rotting out all the fascia boards or rafter tails,” Lopez said. Branches hanging over a roof can also be cleared to reduce the possibility of damage if they break during a storm. Roofing companies are also preparing for the possibility of a busy rainy season. “So we are gearing up for it. We’re already buying a lot of materials to do emergency tarps. We do a lot of emergency repairs during the rainy season. And this year, we expect a lot,” Lopez said. Homeowners should also check their homeowners insurance to determine what protection they have if a roof begins leaking because of a storm. Most policies will not cover older or neglected roofs. Anyone hiring a contractor for a roof inspection or repair should make sure the contractor is licensed with the state to perform the work. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less