If you're a Twin Cities homeowner, you know all too well the importance of staying on top of home repair and maintenance.  Buying a house isn't a one-and-done thing. Components wear out or get damaged from our frequent storms and harsh weather.  Probably the most significant part of your home that needs your attention is your roof.  It's the most important protective feature and keeping an eye out for signs of possible roofing damage is crucial to spotting problems while they are small and easy to fix.  Ignoring the signs can lead to costly repairs in the future.

Spotting the Most Common Signs of Roofing Damage

Unless you are a roofing professional, you may not be aware of things that can indicate your roof has problems.  Some damage is obvious, like missing shingles or water leaks.  But keep your eye out for these:
  • Uneven appearance - look for buckled or humped-up areas or even depressions:  Your roof should be smooth, and if there are spots where it is not, those areas should be looked at.  Also look for areas that may sag.
  • Loose or missing shingles:  The high winds we sometimes get in the Twin Cities along with severe storms can rip a shingle or two or even whole sections loose.  It's those shingles that form the barrier between the outside elements (weather) and what's underneath your roof.
  • Missing or loose flashing: You might not notice missing or damaged flashing because it is just in spots, not the whole roof.   But flashing plays a major role in your roof. Flashing bridges the gaps between your roof material and anything that has penetrated it, such as vent pipes or a chimney.  When flashing is missing, there's a spot for water to get in.  And depending on how long it's been missing, you may already have water damage inside; you just haven't seen the indications yet. But you will.
  • Discoloration: Darkening or discoloring of roofing occurs for a variety of reasons; some are more troublesome than others.
  • Roofing granules piling up underneath your downspouts:  If you've got an asphalt roof, you're going to lose a few granules here and there as your roof ages.  But if you start to see handfuls in the water underneath your downspouts, that is cause for concern.  Those granules are part of the exterior coating on your asphalt roofing, and once they're gone, the shingle base is no longer protected.
Because we know that many roof problems aren't obvious to the average homeowner, we suggest you have periodic roof inspections so that problems can be taken care of before they get out of hand.  Check your roofing warranty and your homeowner's insurance policy. Both may have provisions requiring inspections.  Many roofing companies - such as ours - offer these as a free service. If you're unsure what shape your roof is, contact us to find out.  Better to know what needs to be fixed now than to get hit with a nasty surprise in the middle of a blizzard!  We are a licensed Minnesota roofing contractor and we serve the greater Twin Cities metro area.