On March 22, 2023 a high-end EF1 tornado hit Montebello, damaged 17 structures and left 11 buildings red-tagged. Roofs and skylights were among the first things it tore at. Add the rain that comes each winter, and roof leaks stay on the list of problems for Montebello homes and businesses.
Key takeaways
- The March 22, 2023 tornado had peak winds near 110 mph, damaged 17 structures and left 11 red-tagged, and roof damage can let rain in long afterward.
- Montebello averages 14.44 inches of rain a year, mostly from January to March, with July and August nearly dry.
- A small roof opening can soak attic insulation and drywall for weeks before a stain shows on the ceiling.
- Do not sit under a bulging ceiling. Release the water into a bucket through a small opening and protect the floor.
- Drying means removing wet insulation and drywall, then running air movers and dehumidifiers until readings are normal.
Why roofs in Montebello leak in winter
Montebello gets most of its 14.44 inches of yearly rain between January and March. The summer months are close to dry, so a roof can go many months without being tested.
When a storm does arrive, it finds every weak spot at once. Flashing around vents, cracked sealant, worn shingles or flat-roof seams can all start to drip within a single wet week.
The tornado factor
The March 2023 tornado was the strongest to hit the Los Angeles metro area since March 1983. Its peak winds were near 110 mph.
It tore roofs and skylights off buildings. A roof that was patched in a hurry or that lost shingles without anyone noticing may still have an opening that lets rain through.
Dry months hide the damage
After a long dry stretch, a stain on a ceiling is easy to ignore. The first heavy rain of the season is often when a hidden problem reveals itself.
Signs the water is coming from above
Roof leaks do not always show up where the opening is. Water runs along rafters and insulation before it drops through the ceiling.
- A brown or yellow ring on the ceiling that grows after each rain.
- Paint that bubbles or peels in a ceiling corner or along an exterior wall.
- A sagging or bulging section of drywall.
- Drips from a light fixture, a vent or a smoke detector.
- Damp or compressed insulation if the attic is accessible.
- A musty smell in a room that was dry during the summer.
What to do when the ceiling is leaking
The first goal is safety. Water pooled behind a ceiling can bring down drywall and soak fixtures, so electricity and weight come into play.
- Turn off the breaker to any room where water is coming through a light fixture or outlet.
- Place a bucket under the drip and move furniture and rugs out of the way.
- If the ceiling bulges, pierce the lowest point with a screwdriver into a bucket to release the water in a controlled way.
- Take photos of the stain and any visible roof damage.
- Cover an open roof area with a tarp if it can be done safely from the ground or by a roofer.
- Call a roofer for the opening and a restoration team for the water.
How the restoration team handles the attic and ceiling
The team uses a moisture meter and a thermal camera to find the wet area. Insulation that has soaked up water loses its value and holds moisture against the framing, so soaked batts are removed.
Drywall that has swollen, stained heavily or lost its shape is cut out under control. Dry drywall stays in place.
Then the room and attic are dried together. Air movers move air through the opened ceiling, dehumidifiers pull the water out of the air, and daily readings confirm that wood framing and drywall edges are returning to normal.
More detail on this work is on the Montebello roof leak water damage page, which describes how the crew approaches an attic, a ceiling and a wet wall.
Roof leaks that become ceiling and wall damage
A roof leak seldom stays in the attic. The water follows the framing, runs down the inside of an exterior wall and reaches the ceiling, the lights and the floor.
If a light fixture is wet or a ceiling has bowed, the ceiling leak water damage work applies. The ceiling is vented or opened, the framing above is checked and the room is dried before the surface is repaired.
A wet wall may also need opening at the base and at the top plate to let the cavity dry.
- Check the top of exterior walls for stains where the ceiling meets the wall.
- Look for damp carpet or lifted flooring beneath a leak.
- Check closets and cabinets below an attic access or a vent.
Which part of Montebello is exposed
Roof leaks can show up anywhere in the city. Montebello Hills, East Montebello, South Montebello and the Newmark area all have older and newer roofs that age the same way.
The 2023 tornado damaged 17 structures, and each one that lost a roof section or a skylight had to be sealed before rain returned. A neighboring building that lost only a few shingles may have been left with a quiet opening.
A roofer can inspect for flashing and vent problems before the first heavy rain of the season. A restoration team can then handle any water that gets through ahead of that inspection.
The city page for Montebello water damage restoration lists every service available there.
Claims, documents and timing
Storm damage claims often depend on when the roof was damaged and when the leak began. Photographs of the roof, the ceiling and the date of the rain help the insurer follow the sequence.
Insurance coverage depends on the policy, so it is smart to check with the insurer before repairs begin. Keep a copy of roofer estimates, moisture readings and any receipts for temporary protection.
For another view of the same problem, the roof leak water damage page covers how winter storm water enters flat and low-slope roofs and what the drying looks like.