What happens when the rain finally comes and your HOA's roof isn't ready?

After years of drought and relatively dry conditions, California is heading toward a potentially significant El Niño season. For HOA and condominium communities, that raises an important question: Are your roofs actually prepared for the rain?

In this episode of The Uncommon Area, Matthew Holbrook sits down with Charles Antis, Founder & Chief People Awakener of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, to talk about what HOA boards and managers should be doing before the storms arrive.

Charles has spent more than four decades in the roofing industry, and his career began with a simple challenge: solve the leaks nobody else could fix. That challenge eventually became the foundation of Antis Roofing, a company founded in 1989 that specializes in serving homeowners associations throughout Southern California.

But this conversation goes far beyond roofing.

Charles shares the story of one of the first leaks he ever repaired, the mistake that taught him a lesson he never forgot, and the unusual way he learned to track down leaks by imagining himself as a drop of water moving across a roof.

Then the conversation turns to the issue that should be on every California HOA's radar: El Niño and the potential for a much wetter winter.

For boards and managers, Charles explains why the biggest roof problems aren't always caused by an old roof. Sometimes the culprit is something surprisingly simple, such as clogged drainage, debris, neglected penetrations, or a lack of routine maintenance. He explains why the 90/10 rule matters, what areas of a roof are most likely to cause leaks, and why cleaning before the rainy season can make such a significant difference.

The conversation also tackles bigger questions facing associations:

• How often should an HOA have its roofs inspected and maintained?
• When should roof cleaning happen?
• What are the most common causes of HOA roof leaks?
• When does a repair make more financial sense than a full roof replacement?
• How can boards use maintenance records to make better roofing decisions?
• What role should a third-party roofing consultant or project manager play?
• What should boards know about total systems warranties?
• How does roofing factor into an association's reserve study?
• Why could roofing costs become significantly more expensive?
• What should an HOA do before the rain starts?

Charles' central message is simple: maintenance is an investment in the life of your roof.

And for HOA boards facing a potentially wet winter, the time to find the leak is before the storm.

Key Takeaways

Prepare before the rainy season. Charles recommends using the months before the rains arrive to clean roofs, inspect problem areas, and identify repairs while there is still time to address them proactively.

Don't assume an old roof is the problem. Charles says some of the most damaging leaks he's encountered have resulted from maintenance issues, including clogged drainage and debris.

Know the high-risk areas. Roof penetrations, transitions, and termination points account for a disproportionate share of roofing leaks, according to Charles.

Think beyond replacement. In some cases, targeted repairs can extend the useful life of an otherwise serviceable roof and postpone a much more expensive replacement.

Keep your records. A history of previous leaks and repairs can help roofing professionals identify patterns and determine which buildings or areas should receive attention first.

Get the roof into the reserve study. Roofing can represent one of an association's largest reserve components, making accurate estimates of remaining useful life and replacement costs especially important.

What Boards Should Do Before the Rain

Charles' advice for HOA boards and managers is straightforward:

1. Schedule roof cleaning and maintenance.
2. Have a qualified roofing professional inspect the property.
3. Review previous leak and repair records.
4. Identify recurring problem areas.
5. Determine the remaining useful life of the roofs.
6. Make sure roofing costs are accurately reflected in the reserve study.
7. Evaluate whether targeted repairs could extend roof life.
8. Address known problems before the first major storm.

As Charles puts it, roofs need maintenance just like cars do.

About Charles Antis

Charles Antis is the Founder & Chief People Awakener of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, a Southern California roofing company founded in 1989 and focused on serving homeowners associations.

Charles built the company around a simple purpose: keeping families safe and dry. His approach to roofing combines technical expertise with a strong emphasis on generosity, community involvement, and caring for the people his company serves.