The short version: before the rains start, check four things. Look at the roof from the ground. Clear the gutters and make sure the downspouts carry water away from the house. Look into the attic for stains, damp insulation and rodents. Then check the ducts up there for loose or crushed runs. Most problems are cheap to fix in October and expensive to fix after a January storm.
1. The roof (from the ground, not a ladder)
- Missing, cracked or curling shingles, and slipped or broken tiles.
- Flashing around the chimney, skylights and vent pipes that is lifted, rusted or missing sealant.
- Moss, leaves and debris collecting in valleys, where water runs off the roof.
- Branches touching or hanging over the roof. Trim them back before the wind does it for you.
Binoculars work well for this. If anything looks loose, have it looked at before the first big storm. Walking on a wet or steep roof is not worth the risk.
2. Gutters and downspouts
- Clear leaves and debris, especially after the fall drop.
- Check that the gutters slope toward the downspouts and don’t overflow at the corners.
- Make sure every downspout empties well away from the foundation, not into a flower bed against the wall.
3. The attic (a flashlight from the hatch is enough)
- Dark stains or water marks on the roof boards or rafters, especially around vents and the chimney.
- Damp, matted or compressed insulation. Wet insulation stops working and can grow mold.
- Daylight coming through the roof boards.
- Rodent signs: droppings, nests or chewed wiring. Mice and rats move indoors when it gets cold and wet, and attics are a favorite.
- Blocked vents. Soffit and roof vents should be open so the attic can dry out.
If you find droppings, don’t sweep or vacuum them; the CDC recommends disinfecting them first. Our guide Remove Old Attic Insulation or Add on Top? explains when contaminated insulation has to come out.
4. The ducts in your attic
In many Tri-Valley homes the heating ducts run through the attic. ENERGY STAR estimates that in a typical house about 20 to 30 percent of the air moving through the duct system is lost to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Look for:
- Ducts that have come apart at a joint or the register boot.
- Flex ducts that are crushed, kinked or sagging onto the insulation.
- Torn or missing insulation jackets on the ducts.
Rooms that never warm up in winter often point to a duct problem rather than the furnace.
5. Inside the house
- Brown rings or peeling paint on ceilings, especially on the top floor.
- A musty smell in closets or rooms under the attic.
- Windows and doors that let in water or drafts.
When to call a pro
Call before the storms if you see an active leak, wet insulation, rodent contamination, damaged flashing or disconnected ducts. These are short jobs in the fall and urgent ones in the middle of the rainy season.
Want a second pair of eyes? Call (510) 725-4073 or request a free estimate. We’ll inspect the attic and send you photos of what we find. See our roofing, attic insulation and air duct replacement services in San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek and across the East Bay.
Sources: ENERGY STAR, duct sealing · CDC, how to clean up after rodents