Roof Wind & Storm Damage in Santa Clarita, CA

Santa Ana winds are the most common cause of sudden roof damage in the Santa Clarita Valley. They usually blow between fall and spring, and gusts can be especially strong through canyons and passes. They lift shingle tabs, break seal strips, shift ridge and edge tiles, tear loose flashing, and send branches onto roofs. Winter storms then find whatever the wind opened up.

What should you check after a windstorm?

Stay safe. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to Southern California Edison or 911. Don't go on the roof.
Look from the ground. Walk around the house and look for tiles or shingle pieces in the yard, lifted shingle edges, missing ridge caps, bent flashing, and loose gutters.
Check inside. Look at ceilings, especially near exterior walls, and the attic if you can get there safely, for stains or daylight.
Take photos of everything, with dates, before anything is cleaned up.
Request a repair or tarp if rain is in the forecast.

Common wind damage by roof type

Shingles: lifted or creased tabs (a crease line across the shingle means it flexed and may no longer seal), missing shingles, and torn ridge caps. See shingle roofing.
Concrete tile: displaced or cracked ridge and hip tiles, loose edge tiles, and tiles cracked by falling branches. See tile roofing.
Low-slope: peeled membrane edges and damaged flashing at the perimeter. See flat and low-slope roofing.
Accessories: loose vent caps, chimney caps, satellite mounts, and solar wiring.

Do I need an emergency tarp?

If there's an open area in the roof and rain is coming, a properly installed tarp can limit interior damage until permanent repair. Tarping is risky work on a wet or windy roof, so it is best left to a roofer. Ask how the tarp will be secured without causing more damage, especially on tile.

How does insurance usually work for wind damage?

Many homeowners policies cover sudden wind damage, but coverage depends on your policy, deductible, and the roof's condition. Insurers often treat wear and tear differently from storm damage. We can't tell you what your policy covers. Generally:

Photograph the damage and any debris before cleanup.
Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, and keep receipts.
Contact your insurer promptly and ask what they need.
Get a written repair estimate from a roofer.

For help with a claim problem, the California Department of Insurance has consumer resources.

Watch out for storm chasers

After big wind events, some out-of-area crews go door to door. Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to sign that day, asks you to sign over insurance benefits, or wants a large payment up front. In California, a contractor generally cannot take a down payment over 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, on home improvement work. Check the license at cslb.ca.gov.

Trees and roofs

Overhanging branches scrape and crack roofing in wind and drop debris into valleys and gutters. Trimming branches back from the roof helps, and it is also part of defensible-space guidance in fire zones. Large tree work near power lines should be handled by qualified tree workers, and lines themselves by the utility.

Getting connected

Tell us what you see from the ground, your roof type, and whether water is coming in. We pass your request to one independent local roofer who covers your area. See also roof repair and roof inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Should I get on the roof to check for wind damage?

No. Look from the ground with binoculars if you have them, check inside, and take photos. Wind-damaged roofs can have loose material, and tile breaks underfoot.

Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage to a roof?

Many policies cover sudden wind damage, but coverage depends on your policy, deductible, and the roof's condition. Ask your insurer.

How do I spot a creased shingle?

A creased shingle has a visible horizontal line where the tab folded back in the wind. It may look flat now but no longer seal properly. A roofer can check.

Wind & Storm Damage help around Santa Clarita

We take requests from 22 nearby communities. Local guides:

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Roof Wind and Storm Damage in Santa Clarita