Storm Damage Repair
Fast Response. Insurance Expertise. Full Restoration.

When Storms Hit the East Bay

East Bay winters bring atmospheric rivers, Diablo winds, and intense rainfall events that test every roof. When a storm tears off ridge caps, drives rain under shingles, topples trees onto houses, or fills valleys with debris that backs up water into your attic — you need a contractor who can respond immediately and navigate the insurance process expertly. We've been that contractor for 37 years.

Types of Storm Damage

Wind Damage — Diablo winds (known as Diablo or East Bay winds) blow dry, hot air through the canyons at 40-70 mph, sometimes exceeding 80 mph in exposed hillside areas. Wind lifts shingle tabs, peels back ridge caps, tears off sections of flashing, and drives rain horizontally under materials that shed vertical water perfectly. The Lamorinda corridor (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda) and the Oakland/Berkeley hills are particularly wind-exposed.

Heavy Rain Damage — Atmospheric rivers can deliver 3-5 inches of rain in 24 hours. Gutters overflow, valleys channel torrents, and any weakness in the roofing system — failed flashing, cracked pipe boots, worn-out sealant — becomes an active leak. The volume and duration of atmospheric river events overwhelm compromised systems that handle normal rain.

Fallen Trees & Debris — The East Bay's mature oak, eucalyptus, and Monterey pine trees are beautiful but prone to dropping limbs and toppling in saturated soil during storms. Tree impacts cause the most dramatic and often structural damage — punctured decks, broken rafters, crushed ridge lines. We coordinate tree removal with arborists and assess structural integrity before beginning roof repair.

Hail Damage — Uncommon in the East Bay but not unknown. Severe thunderstorms occasionally produce hail that dents metal roofing, cracks tile, and impacts asphalt shingle granules. Hail damage is often invisible from the ground but clearly visible upon close inspection — round indentations in shingle surfaces that accelerate granule loss and reduce lifespan.

Our Storm Damage Process

1. Emergency Stabilization — If water is actively entering your home, we tarp and stabilize within hours. Heavy-duty commercial tarps secured with lumber — not a blue tarp held down by bricks.

2. Full Damage Assessment — Once the immediate crisis is handled, we return for a comprehensive inspection. Every plane of the roof, all flashing, ridge caps, valleys, gutters, and penetrations examined. Interior water tracking to identify all affected areas. Documented with photos and measurements.

3. Insurance Coordination — We prepare a detailed estimate in Xactimate format — the same software insurance companies use. We meet with your adjuster on-site to walk through every line item. When the initial estimate is insufficient (common), we file supplements with additional documentation and photos.

4. Permanent Repair — Once the claim is approved, we schedule the repair. Materials color-matched to existing. Structural damage fully repaired — sister rafters, new decking, proper blocking. All new materials installed to manufacturer specifications with full warranty.

5. Final Documentation — Completed repair photos, updated warranty information, final invoice matching the insurance approval, and maintenance recommendations provided. Everything you need for your records and your insurance file.

Protect Your Home Before the Next Storm

The best time to fix a roof isn't during a storm — it's before one. Schedule a pre-season inspection in September or October. We'll identify and repair vulnerable areas — cracked flashing, lifted shingles, deteriorated pipe boots, clogged gutters — for a fraction of what emergency repairs cost. Over 60% of our storm damage repairs could have been prevented with a $200-$500 maintenance visit.