Rain’s Coming: Time for Your San Francisco Roof & Gutter Check
- Serina Calhoun
- Oct 26
- 2 min read
It always sneaks up on us - one week it’s warm and sunny, the next the sky opens up and everyone remembers their roof leaks. Late October marks the start of San Francisco’s rainy season, and it’s the time of year when small maintenance jobs can prevent very big problems later.
After months of dry weather, roofs, gutters, and downspouts collect debris and suffer from heat expansion, cracked sealant, or simple neglect. Once the first big storm hits, vendors book up instantly, and “I’ll get to it next week” can turn into water stains, interior damage, or late-night bucket brigades.
Why It Matters
San Francisco’s building stock is older than most U.S. cities, and many multi-unit or mixed-use buildings rely on flat roofs, shared downspouts, and aging site drainage systems. When those systems fail, water has nowhere to go, leading to leaks, flooded garages, or even foundation damage.
The first few rains of the season tend to hit hardest: gutters fill fast, drains clog with leaves, and those long-forgotten cracks show up immediately. Preventive maintenance now means fewer surprises later.
Your Pre-Rain Checklist
A quick walk-through (or a call to your roofing or plumbing vendor) should include:
Roofs: Look for cracked or curling shingles, ponding water, gaps in flashing, or missing sealant.
Gutters and Downspouts: Clear out leaves and debris; confirm that water drains away from the building’s foundation.
Flat Roof Drains and Scuppers: The #1 culprit for SF leaks. Make sure they’re completely clear.
Catch Basins and Site Drains: These ground-level drains collect runoff from paved areas, and they clog easily after a long dry season. Clear debris and test for flow.
Windows and Skylights: Check seals and caulking for cracks.
Basements and Foundations: Look for past water marks or signs of seepage.
If it’s been more than a couple of years since your last professional inspection, or if you’ve noticed ceiling stains, bubbling paint, or pooling water around the property, it’s time to bring in a pro. Vendors get flooded (pun intended) with calls once the first big storm hits, so October and early November are the sweet spot to get ahead of it.
Stay Ahead with Property Atlas
Property Atlas helps you stay organized across every building you manage. We help you track inspections and maintenance records in one place, get alerts for new violations or compliance updates and access a vetted list of roofing, plumbing, and waterproofing vendors. It’s the simplest way to stay ahead of leaks before they start.
Recommended Vendor: Flow Masters
When it comes to staying dry this winter, good drainage is half the battle. Flow Masters, one of our vetted Property Atlas vendors, specializes in storm drain cleaning, hydro jetting, and catch basin maintenance - the kind of preventive work that keeps water moving where it should, instead of backing up into basements or garages. They also handle site drains and sewer laterals, helping property owners stay one step ahead of the next big storm.
If your building hasn’t had its drains or catch basins cleared since last winter, now’s the time to call Flow Masters — before the rain hits.
Brought to you by Property Atlas.
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