El Nino causes uptick with roofing companies as rain expected to occupy Southern California

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- With El Nino expected to bring plenty of rain, many roofing companies are slammed with business as homeowners scramble to replace old and leaky roofs.

But for many, a little maintenance may be all that's needed to do the trick, according to experts.

"You want to make sure your roof is free of debris, your valleys, your gutters, so the water is flowing off it like it's supposed to," said Steve Radenbaugh with Bilt-Well Roofing.

Radenbaugh pointed out some trouble spots that could lead to an El Nino leak include the seals around vents and sunlights.

But he said waiting until the rainy months to address roof issues could lead to other problems.

"It's probably not a great time to be removing your roof and replacing it especially if it's a three, four, or five day job because your roof is going to be exposed," Radenbaugh explained.

With some roofs being high or steep, it's recommended you leave the repairs up to a professional to keep yourself out of harm's way.

"Ladders slip, they fall and it creates some problems," Radenbaugh said. "A licensed, bonded professional should be up there checking the roof."

But Radenbaugh warns finding an expert is only going to get harder as El Nino fears begin to grow and roofing companies book quickly.

For ABC7's latest coverage of El Nino, click here.