If you notice a roof leak at your Minnesota Residential home or Rental property, it’s likely due to one of three basic reasons: It can be from storm damage, from a defect in the shingles that you bought from the manufacturer, or from an installation or application error.
Installation Error
When we look at a roof leak, we typically find that the problem is almost always due to an installation mistake. Usually, the leaks will occur in common spots. We find them around chimneys, if you have one, or near the square roof ends you can see on top of the roof, or through a vent or sewer stack, which is penetration that comes through to let your plumbing vent through the roof. A majority of the problems are caused when those installations are not flashed or caulked correctly. It can also happen when the shingles aren’t cut correctly to get around those penetrations. Water will find a way to get into the house. Other installation issues include the lack of a Drip Edge on the eaves of the roof, using an improper starter course, leak barrier channels, and improper nailing among others. It is important to select experienced roofing contractors when you are putting on a new roof to ensure that you avoid these installation errors.
Storm Damage
Sometimes, a roof leak is due to a natural weather occurrence. Twin Cities Minneapolis/ St. Paul MN Roof Contractors have seen a lot of storm damage over the last few years. We have had some good storms, and have seen a significant amount of Roof damage from hail and wind in the Minneapolis St. Paul Twin Cities metro area. Strong enough wind or hail damage can penetrate a shingle and cause a crack and leak. High winds can blow sections of shingles off, and then water can get in really easily. Roofing damage from storms includes missing shingles or pieces of fascia, physical shingle damage from falling branches causing punctures or cracks in the shingles, displaced or missing vents, exhaust pipes or metal flashing or channels. All of these should be checked by an experienced contractor if you suspect roofing damage from wind or hail.
Manufacturer's Defect
You never want to have shingles on your house that are defective, however it can happen. Most roofs will begin to show defects after being on the house for five to seven years. They can curl, crack or lose their protective granules which are tiny protective rocks that keep the elements away. In those cases, water can sneak through the shingle and into your house. It is important to use good quality roofing products that have good warranty protection when re-roofing your home. Manufacturer warranties vary greatly, and you should ask your trusted roofing contractor for the specific warranties of the products that they are recommending. These are the most common causes of roof problems, and they can easily be corrected by repairing or replacing the shingles. If you have any questions about roof leaks, please contact the contractor professionals at HandyQuick.
Selecting a Roofing Vendor in Minneapolis St Paul Minnesota
When you select a roofing contractor for your Minnesota home, you should be sure to find out if they are in fact a registered business in the State of Minnesota and have a contractor’s license. Roofing contractors are also required to have Roofing credentials, Workers compensation insurance, general liability insurance, and provide written manufacturer warranties. Be sure to ask for these documents, and also review the specific contract to make sure that the materials you select are specifically indicated in your contract. You should ask
for written estimates for all work, and check out the company on the Better Business Bureau, Angles List, or other reliable listing service, and also visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and verify that the contractor is licensed, and is in good standing with the State. HandyQuick uses ONLY licensed, insured, and experienced contractors, so you can be sure that our contractors and roofers will provide reliable and warranted services.
