Minneapolis Roof Inspection

A Minneapolis roof inspection is one home maintenance task that too many residents in the Twin Cities fail to perform on a regular basis. While it may sound a little overly diligent, you really should inspect your roof three times a year: twice on your own and once by a hired gun. Doing so is the only way to catch the many indicators of minor roofing damage before they turn into larger problems.

Consider the Alternative to a Minneapolis Roof Inspection
We'll get to the ins and outs of roofing inspection here in a minute. First, however, emphasis should be placed on why it's so important to get a jump on minor roof damage before things escalate. An average minor roof repair in Minneapolis runs about $260 if you catch the damage early. That's pretty reasonable when it comes to roofing work of any sort. Neglect to address minor problems, however, and things get ugly quick. Major roof repairs can easily run $1,000 or more, and installing a new roof in Minneapolis-St. Paul averages about $6,700. Add to that figure water damage to your attic, roof decking, and insulation, as well as mold and fungus remediation, and it's easy to see how something as trivial as a few loose shingles can turn into tens of thousands of dollars in damage if left unaddressed.

Performing a Home Roof Inspection in Minneapolis
The easiest (and cheapest!) way to fend off major roof repairs is to take things into your own hands. Generally it's recommended that homeowners perform a self-inspection of their roofing twice a year, once in the spring when things thaw out, and once in fall before winter hits. That makes good sense for homeowners in the Twin Cities, since winter snow and ice (and subsequent snow removal), and spring and summer thunderstorms are the two leading causes of roof damage in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Patching up any new damage your roof has sustained before these seasons hit is the best way to avoid major damage caused by extreme weather events. The best way to inspect your roof is to get up close. If you can, climb up on your roof and walk it, keeping an eye out for loose, damaged, or missing shingles, as well as other signs of roof damage like cupping, clawing, or buckling. If you do see any anomalies, call a roofer to give you an estimate for the repair as soon as possible.

Calling in a Minneapolis Roof Inspection Professional
While homeowner roof inspections are invaluable in spotting damage to roofing, they aren't fool proof. Homeowners simply don't have the expertise to spot every problem that might arise. That's why, in addition to walking your roof in the spring and fall, it's also recommended that you hire a professional to perform a roof inspection on your home once a year. A professional roof inspector will spot things you missed, and provide an extra line of defense against major roof damage in your Twin Cities home.

If your Minneapolis Roof Inspection Identifies a Problem . . .
If your roof inspection does turn up roof damage, the next step is to get it repaired as soon as possible. Don't jump the gun on this one, however. While most roofers are good, honest, tradesmen, the roofing industry has a reputation for bad seeds, who slip through the cracks. That being the case, it's a smart homeowner who brings in several roofers to look at the problem and give bids on the repair. It will take a little time and patience, but by talking to at least three roofers you'll be better situated to spot anybody looking to take advantage of your need for a roofing fix. Again, this is a reason to hire a professional roof inspector in Minneapolis to come in and do a roof inspection for you. By hiring an independent contractor who works separate from the roofing companies themselves, you'll get a less biased report on what, if any, problems your roofing has, as well as the best course of action to take in getting things back in tip-top shape.