October Issue: I Screen Fire, I Screen Rain

I Screen Fire

I screen rain

Your roof is one of the best friends your house can have, and it’s been through a lot. Before the cold winds blow away the sunny days, make sure your roof is ready for things to come.

O

ctober’s hint of autumn brings San Diego a relief from the hottest days, a cool and pleasant pause before the onset of rainy season. It’s the perfect time for homeowners to check in with the ol’ homestead to make sure the place is ready to fight off another year’s weather.

But weather’s not the only stuff warded off by walls and roof. 2020’s record wildfires are a potent reminder for homeowners to pay special attention to their home’s fire risk.

California’s unique vegetation and climate make wildfires inevitable, but by understanding the dangers and preparing your property from the top down, you can outsmart the inferno and save your home sweet home.

Take It From the Top

FEMA says the roof is a home’s chief vulnerability during a wildfire, and it’s not hard to see why. Its sprawling area and angles are perfect to capture windblown embers — another frontrunner in FEMA’s favorite fire factors. In terms

of return on investment, that makes your roof the top candidate (har har).

First up, no matter what your current roof is made of, fire prevention begins with YOU. All the best materials in the world are just lip service to safety if you yourself are not actively maintaining your yard and home, and especially that roof. Before and during fire season, be vigilant and mindful about keeping the roof and its accessories clear of debris, or you’re just breaching to the conflagration.

Common roof features that can gather debris or admit embers include valleys, gutters, downspouts, soffits, vents, skylights, and other roof penetrations.

Regularly clear any leaves, dust, seeds, twigs, and other matter, and do so more often when the fire danger level is high. Even non-flammable debris can provide a place for drifting embers to catch and smolder.

The Material World Now that your roof’s clear, what stands between those wafters and your rafters? In an ideal world, your roof (and every roof in your neighborhood) should already be built with Class A fire-resistant materials — those designed to stay put and not burn when fire comes calling. A roof’s rating is based on a combination of the visible covering (shingles, tiles, metal, etc.) and the assembly underneath (roof deck, vapor retarder, insulation, etc.).

The safest possible roof is a combination of exclusively Class A materials from top to interior plus construction methods that minimize the chance of ember intrusion at the roof’s surface or to the interior. Each material comes with strengths and challenges — for instance, tiles resist fire, but require proper assembly to ward off debris and embers, whereas noncombustible metal famously conducts heat, requiring fire-retardant underlayment.

Again, check the construction of

plants (or “weeds,” if you will) that can grow quickly. All this ample fuel and tinder is just waiting for a spark and some wind to beat a hot path to your pretty wooden doorstep.

Federal and local authorities publish lengthy recommendations for the construction of walls, windows, decks, and all the other pieces of your home, plus landscaping, defensible space, fences, and how to evaluate home sites for outside fire risks. It sounds like a lot to think about, but relax — you don’t have to go it alone.

Say Ahhhhh

eaves, vents, and all their vulnerable friends to weed out the weak spots. All it takes is one fire-hungry soffit to reduce your childhood photos to ash.

It Takes a Village Newer homes have hardy roofs by mandate, and an older home in a mostly new neighborhood may enjoy some degree of herd immunity. But many area homes still boast legacy materials, some of which (like wooden shingles) may be beautiful but are no ally to a home’s fire-free lifestyle. And even if your home has an airtight Class-A roof, a woodpile on your neighbor’s roof still risks everything under yours, so in mixedconstruction neighborhoods it’s even more important to take every possible precaution.

We’re all about raising your roof today, but your fire safety homework includes evaluating your home, yard, and everything surrounding. Much of San Diego County’s residential area lies along what’s called a wildland urban interface, the zone where neighborhoods meet no-borhoods. Those unpopulated areas, including the canyons that run near some of our favorite historic districts, foster a combination of fire-loving native and introduced

So where to start? It’s common to get your roof an annual checkup for the health of its current materials, but maybe it’s time for a thorough physical.

FEMA recommends working with local fire authorities or private specialists to assess your property’s strengths and weaknesses, then develop a plan to “harden” the home against fire risks. They can help prioritize any suggested repairs and upgrades so you can begin taking meaningful steps without breaking the bank.

Speaking of which, check in with your insurance agent during this process; these safety upgrades may make your home eligible for a sizable rate discount, and your agent may help you make choices that can save your home and reward your wallet.

This updated construction will also show well in your home’s resale value. And the cherry on top? Your roof will be even better at keeping out the elements and protecting the things you love.

Whether you’re planning to upgrade your current property or find a new home, check in with your REALTOR® first for hot tips on home safety and value.

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