Roofers In High Demand As El Nino Looms For California

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Many Central Valley homeowners are rushing to put new roofs on their homes before an expected wet winter blows in courtesy of El Nino.

Between the heat and the fourth year of the drought, homeowner Antoinette Crosby was looking at her old shaker roof suspiciously.

"To me these old shakes are a fire hazard, so I just wanted to get them replaced," he said.

Barth Roofing says Crosby is the exception. The lack of rain in California had many homeowners putting off roof repairs for years until two weeks ago during the first sign of rain.

This roof replacement is expected to take four to five whole days to complete. She's thankful she called when she did back in August to book the appointment—others are experiencing a long wait time, because of fears of El Nino.

Receptionist Gina Catalano says she's been answering a lot of calls each day. She says reports of heavy rain possibly coming back to California this winter has many homeowners now wondering if their roofs can handle it.

"They're very desperate. Especially when we tell them our timeline. 'Let me see if I can squeeze you in here.' We're trying to get everyone taken care of," she said.

Repairs are being squeezed in, but full roof replacements aren't until December.