For most of us, the roof is something we rarely think about—until it rains. Then suddenly, a small stain on the ceiling can become a big problem. A leak can damage the things we treasure, disrupt our routines, and turn a rainy day into an expensive emergency.
With a potentially heavier rainy season ahead, Cherie Hicks of Chandler’s Roofing encourages homeowners to be proactive. “If you know you have an existing leak, don't wait until the last minute,” Cherie said. “It's very costly, and also, if you wait, it's far more expensive to repair [during bad weather] than it will be now while it's dry.”
Her advice isn't about selling a new roof. It's being proactive about the home you've worked hard to build—and protecting the people who live in it.
Cherie sees a homeowner's role in an empowering way. “You get to be the hero of your family,” she said. “As a homeowner, it's your responsibility to take care of your castle so don't wait.”
One way to do that is to keep a finger on the pulse of what's happening above. Cherie encourages homeowners to take advantage of a free roof health check, recommending a professional inspection every three years for a sloped roof and every year for a flat roof.
Staying ahead of potential problems can help protect the place where your family gathers for dinner, celebrates birthdays and holidays, welcomes friends, and settles in at the end of a long day. It can also help prevent a small roofing issue from becoming a much bigger one.
“We get so many clients that wait, and they call us in the rain, and usually that's too late,” Cherie said. “If they wait till the last minute, we can't give them a permanent repair. It's a bandaid.”
And what's at stake can be much more than the roof. As Cherie explained, “A roof leak can ruin the inside of your home and your prized possession. It’s your biggest asset. Most of us own a home, and it's our biggest investment. Treat it like that. Take care of it.”
For Cherie, that instinct to protect what matters extends into her family story. Chandler's Roofing has been part of the South Bay for more than 80 years. Brian Hicks purchased the company in 1993 after beginning his roofing career as a teenager. Cherie joined the business in 1997, and today, their son, Corey, is helping carry the family legacy into its next chapter.
And that next chapter means a great deal to Cherie. “It's the reason why I come here every day. [Corey] is my why. We all have to have a why, and I didn't have one for a long time. Now, I do,” she said. “I want to work harder and smarter for him so he can have a company that runs smoother, and for the rest of his career.”
Her “why” is family. Cherie is also grateful for the team members who have become family, many of whom have spent decades with the company. “I'm grateful for the employees who have helped us build Chandler's Roofing over the years. We've been able to provide jobs and support families,” she said. “We're continuously building this company, and it hasn't always been easy, but we're proud we're still here. We're still learning and we're still improving.”
That commitment to people also shapes the way the team works with homeowners. Cherie says the company especially enjoys helping elderly homeowners, veterans, and couples buying their first homes. Chandler's Roofing also offers a discount to veterans.
“We love working with couples who are buying their first home,” she said. “We remember those days and it's very exciting. They have family, maybe in their future, and they want to have a nice home for their family and they work hard for it.”
Maybe that's what makes a roof worth thinking about after all. It's not simply what's overhead. It's everything happening underneath it—the people you love, the memories you're making, and the future you're building together.
So, as the rainy season approaches, take care of your castle. Get a roof health check. Ask the right questions. Know what you're working with. Give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing you've done something important to protect what’s under the roof—the people and the life you love.
Because being the hero of your family doesn't always require a cape. Sometimes, it just means looking up.
“[Corey] is my why. We all have to have a why, and I didn't have one for a long time. Now, I do.”