The Keith Roofing
Blog
Practical roofing guides, material insights, and homeowner resources from South Bay's trusted roofer since 1952.
We write about roofing because we've been doing it for 74 years and we've seen what works. These articles cover material selection, maintenance, emergency response, California code compliance, and the decisions every homeowner eventually faces. Written for San Jose and Bay Area homeowners, but most of it applies wherever you live.
Chimney Leaks on San Jose Roofs: Flashing, Crickets and When the Chimney Itself Is the Problem
A stain beside the fireplace every winter usually starts at the chimney. The four pieces of flashing that keep it dry, the 30-inch cricket rule many older South Bay chimneys miss, the leaks that aren't flashing at all, and what to do about an old brick chimney when the roof comes off.
Standing Seam Metal Roofs in San Jose: Is Metal Worth It for Your Home?
More South Bay homeowners are asking about metal at re-roof time. How standing seam holds up in our climate, what it means for fire, Title 24, solar and rain noise, and when shingle or tile is the better call.
Condo and Townhome Roof Leaks in San Jose: Who Fixes It, and Who Pays?
When the roof over your unit leaks, the first question is whose roof it is. How California law splits roof repair between owners and HOAs, why condos and townhomes often come out differently, and how to get a leak fixed without a standoff.
Flat Roofs on San Jose Homes: Repair, Coat or Replace?
Eichlers, carports and flat additions fail differently from a pitched roof. How to tell whether yours needs a repair, a coating or a tear-off, how the membranes compare, and what Title 24 now asks of a flat re-roof in San Jose.
Before the First Storm: Getting a San Jose Roof Ready for a Wet Winter
Almost everything that breaks a South Bay roof breaks in the dry months, and the first real storm is when you find out. What to clear, what you can safely check yourself, what genuinely needs a roofer, and the order to do it in.
Dry Rot, Skip Sheathing and the Roof Deck: What a San Jose Tear-Off Actually Finds
The one part of a re-roof nobody can price from the driveway is the wood underneath. What sits under South Bay houses, when the code removes the choice, and what California law requires a deck repair change order to say before you agree to it.
Attic Ventilation and Your San Jose Roof: The Detail That Decides How Long It Lasts
The cheapest part of a re-roof is the part that most often decides whether the shingles reach their warranty. What California code actually requires, why the intake side matters more than the exhaust side, and what changes in a mapped fire hazard zone.
Wildfire Roof Requirements in San Jose: What Class A Actually Means
California moved its wildfire building rules into a new code on January 1, 2026, and the maps deciding who they apply to were redrawn in 2025. Here is what a compliant re-roof looks like in the San Jose foothills — assemblies, the 50 percent rule, and the tile details inspectors check.
Do You Need a New Roof Before Solar Panels in San Jose?
A solar array is a 25-to-30-year commitment bolted to a roof that may not have 25 years left. Here is how to work out which job goes first, what it costs to get the order wrong, and what changes if your roof is tile, metal or flat.
Roof Age and Home Insurance in San Jose
California carriers now underwrite on roof age. Here's what your insurer is looking at, what the law gives you when a non-renewal notice arrives, and the policy clause that decides how much of a roof claim you actually carry.
How to Hire a Roofing Contractor in San Jose
Anyone can print a truck magnet. Here's how San Jose homeowners actually verify a roofer before signing — license class, insurance, the city's permit rule, and what California law says about your deposit.
What to Do When Your Roof Is Leaking: Emergency Roof Repair Guide
Active roof leak? Don't panic — but do act fast. This guide walks through the first hour (minimize damage), the first day (stabilize), and the first week (permanent repair) of handling a leaking roof.
California Title 24 Cool-Roof Requirements: What Homeowners Need to Know
California Title 24 energy code affects most roof replacements in the Bay Area. Some cities enforce it strictly, others less so. Here's what the rules actually require, when they apply, and how to comply without sacrificing aesthetics.
Asphalt Shingle vs. Concrete Tile: Which Is Right for Your Bay Area Home?
The two most common residential roof materials in the South Bay are architectural asphalt shingles and concrete tile. Each has advantages. Here's a straight comparison across cost, lifespan, aesthetics, and which homes each is best suited for.
7 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Roof
Not every roof problem requires replacement — but some are clear signals that your roof's service life is ending. Here are the seven indicators that homeowners should take seriously.
How Long Does a Roof Last in San Jose? A Homeowner's Guide
Your roof's lifespan depends on material, climate, installation quality, and maintenance. For San Jose homes, here's what to realistically expect across every common roof type — and the signs that yours is nearing end of service life.