Roof Inspection in St. Paul, MN

The hardest-working system on the house

In Minnesota, the roof takes more abuse than any other part of the home: heavy snow loads, ice dams, summer hail, intense sun and the relentless freeze-thaw cycle. A roof inspection focuses specifically on this system — the covering, the flashing, the penetrations and the drainage — to document its condition, estimate its remaining life, and find the failures that lead to leaks.

What we evaluate

• Covering: shingle type, age, granule loss, curling, cracking and missing pieces.
• Flashing: chimney, valley, step and kick-out flashing, the most common leak points.
• Penetrations: vent boots, pipe collars and skylights.
• Hail and storm damage: bruising and granule loss from the metro's hailstorms.
• Drainage and ventilation: gutters, downspouts and the soffit-to-ridge ventilation that helps prevent ice dams.
• From the attic: staining, leaks and condensation on the underside of the deck.

St. Paul-specific concerns

Ice dam damage at the eaves is the signature St. Paul roof problem — meltwater backing up under shingles and into the deck and walls. We look for the evidence and the cause, since the lasting fix is in the attic insulation and ventilation, not just the shingles. This evaluation overlaps with the roof portion of a full home inspection and with our chimney inspection.

What to do about findings

Worn coverings may need replacement; failed flashing and boots are often spot repairs; and ice dam evidence points to attic air-sealing, insulation and ventilation work. We document the condition so you can plan and budget accurately.