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Is it Time to Replace Your Minneapolis Roof?

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 8th September 2009

You know that there is damage to your roof, but the question is whether or not you need to replace your roof? You could go for a simple repair, but what if you find yourself constantly repairing your roof? By the time you have called the Minnesota roofing company the fifth or sixth time, or even fewer times, you’ve already paid the same amount of money that you would pay for a brand new roof that would stand up better to the very elements that are damaging it.

So what are some signs to look for so that you know whether replacing your roof is the right decision?

  • Ask yourself, “How old is my roof?” The average lifespan of a roof is around 15 years, depending on how well it is maintained. If you want to extend its life, then having regular roof inspections by a Minnesota roofing inspector can help you locate the small issues that are easy to fix so that you can extend the life of your roof. If a roof is not properly maintained, then torn flashings and minor leaks can turn into something more serious that causes extensive damage to your home.
  • Look for shingles that are missing or torn. If the number of missing or torn shingles far exceeds the number of good shingles, then it is time for roof replacement.
  • Look at the condition of the interior walls that touch the roof. If there are moisture marks or missing paint, then the roof is faulty and needs replaced.
  • Minnesota is known for extreme weather conditions and those weather conditions can expose part of the house from the top in the form of roof damage. This exposure to direct sunlight, wind, hail, rain, and snow can cause significant damage to the home.
  • Faulty design can also result in roof replacement. When a design is not done properly, it is just a matter of time, usually short, when a roof will not be able to do its job. Sometimes the defect is obvious from the beginning. Faulty design also includes not using the right materials or using low quality materials to construct the roof.

The decision to replace your roof can be a difficult one because there are so many factors that you must consider. Those factors include: Budget, weather conditions, the type of roofing that you need, the amount of time in which you need the issue rectified, etc. You certainly have a lot that you need to consider when making the decision to replace your roof. But most importantly, you need to take a look at the extent of the damage. Talk to your Minneapolis roofing contractor about your options. If your roof needs replaced due to the weather, then you may wish to consult with your insurance company to see what your insurance will cover so that you can determine your true budget.

So when damage has been done, contact a roofing contractor in Minnesota to take a look and tell you what kind of damage has been done and what it will take to fix it. The final decision is up to you.

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Posted in Roof Replacement, Roof Types | No Comments »

Minneapolis Metal Roofing Contractors

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 7th September 2009

You have probably noticed that metal roofing is popping up on more and more homes. This roofing is not like the roofing found on commercial buildings and barns, but is something completely different. Metal roofing in Minneapolis is now available in many different designs, colors, and in different price ranges. Many find that this is the best deal for them when purchasing a new roof. As a matter of fact, Minneapolis metal roofing is becoming a trend.

The Colors and Designs

At one time you may have only seen gray or red metal roofing on a home. The metal roofing was very easy to identify because they all looked like. However, this is changing. Metal roofs in Minneapolis are sporting different colors and styles. If you want blue, you can have blue. If you want brown, you can have brown. The colors are virtually limitless.

But what is amazing is how different designs have also emerged throughout recent years. A metal roof can be made to look like shingles or cedar shake roofing. Of course this may cost you more money, but can be helpful when you want to establish curb appeal.

And if the Minneapolis contractor you are working with does not have the colors or styles that you’re interested in, you can look into ordering them to make sure you can have what you want for your home.

Saving Money

Another important aspect of Minneapolis metal roofing is the fact that you can save money. The average lifespan of a metal roof is 50 years. This is well above the normal lifespan of other types of roofing. When you look at these facts, it is easy to realize that there may be fewer roof repairs throughout the years, if any, and you will most likely not have to replace the roof of your home at any time while you’re living in it. It simply depends on what the weather has in store for your roof, but know that Minneapolis metal roofing can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear.

You also save money on energy costs because the metal reflects sunlight and heat. This keeps your home cooler in the summer, which reduces your cooling costs in the summer.

Making the right choice

All you have to do is consult with a professional Minneapolis roofing contractor to find the option that is right for you. You may decide that metal roofing is right for you, but then you may decide that it isn’t. You will have to look at your budget so that you know what you can pay initially. If your existing roof has been damaged by a wind storm, hail storm, or another act of nature, you can contact your insurance company and see how they can assist you with the damage. You may find that your out-of-pocket expenses are not quite as high with the help of your insurance and that you can buy the best for your home.

With a lifespan of 50 years, you definitely want to make sure your decision is the right one.

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Minneapolis Wind & Hail Damage To Roofs

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 6th September 2009

Wind is one of the worst enemies a roof can have. This goes along with hail damage and the weather changes that occur over time. However, wind, along with hail, can take your roof in a heartbeat. You can have a perfectly find roof one minute and experience significant damage the next.

There are several reasons why wind wreaks havoc on MN roofing. Those reasons are:

  • The strong winds can blow the rain in the opposite direction of the natural water flow of your roof.
  • Debris from trees or other objects can be blown onto your roof and damage be done. Once damage occurs to shingles and water is blown into those damaged areas, the water can cause even more damage to the roof by reaching the unprotected inner roof.
  • Strong winds can also blow off shingles if the wind is blowing just the right way during the storm. This exposes the inner roof and can lead to further damage

If there were any cracks or holes already in your roof, further damage such as the above can turn those small pieces of damage into significant damage. A small leak could literally turn into a waterfall.

If you find that both wind and hail damage are wreaking havoc on your MN roof, then there is something you can do when looking at roof replacement and that is to talk to your MN roofing company about a Class 4 roof. This is the best that you can buy because the shingles are high impact shingles. They are designed to stand up to the elements much better than Classes 1, 2, and 3 roofing. However, be prepared to pay a price. Better roofing is going to cost more money, so you can expect to pay approximately 50% more on Class 4 roofing than traditional roofing.

Here is an example as to why Class 4 roofing is better: Your traditional shingles have a 3-nail pattern. Class 4 requires a 6 nail pattern. Because more nail driving is involved, you can expect to pay more for labor, but you can take into consideration that you’ll have a much better warranty that could last up to 10 years. Plus, the expected lifespan is 30 to 50 years. There are quite a few benefits. When you take into account that you could possibly have to replace traditional roofing multiple times within the lifespan of Class 4 roofing, the truth is that you will be saving money over time. You will also be saving yourself money on the other damage that can occur to your home due to faulty roofing.

So when it comes to wind damage or any other kind of damage that may occur to your roof, look at the facts and make a responsible decision regarding your roofing. You would be amazed at the thousands of dollars that you can save by making sure you have the best roofing in MN to begin with.

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Posted in Roof Repair, Roof Replacement | No Comments »

Do You Need An Attic Fan In Your Home

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 6th September 2009

Some homes in Minnesota have attic fans and some don’t. If you don’t have one, you may have a very hot attic in the summer. If you do have one, then you may notice that there is some air circulating in your attic. Even if you don’t spend time in your attic, you may want to consider an attic fan. Some individuals think that because they don’t spend time in their attic, it doesn’t need to be cooled. They are aware that it is very hot in that area, but do not realize the significance of that heat.

Believe it or not, the heat from the attic has a tendency to seep down into your home. This makes your home hotter and this heat results in increased cooling costs. In other words, the heat from the attic that isn’t really a second thought is costing homeowners in Minnesota more money than they need to pay.

What does an Attic Fan do?

If you’re not sure what an attic fan does, it is time to find out. An attic fan in Minnesota will blow out all of the heat that enters the attic. This means the heat doesn’t have to be trapped inside. Even when it is not that hot outside, the heat inside the attic can be quite hot. If you use your attic for storage, this cooling can be quite beneficial for when you have to go into the attic and also protects the items that you are storing. If you have family heirlooms and other precious items, you definitely don’t want them exposed to intense heat.

Furthermore, cooling your attic also cools your home and saves you money on your cooling costs. Some individuals are also talking to Minnesota roofing companies about installing solar powered attic fans because they do not require anything but the sun to work. This also conserves electricity. They are just as effective as the attic fans that you plug into an outlet and work incredibly well during the summer.

The Price

It is true that the price of an attic fan is not cheap. However, you can’t exactly look at the initial cost of the fan, but the overall savings. These fans last for many years and will make an incredible difference in the temperature of your home, in your electric bill, and gives added protection to the belongings in your attic. In the end, all of these factors save you so much money that the savings far exceeds the initial cost of the attic fan.

And yes, when you hire a Minnesota roofer to install your attic fan for you, you do have to pay installation costs. This is not a job that you want to take on by yourself since it is rather dangerous and handling of the fan and all of the components to install it does take experience. Safety is of utmost important and a Minnesota roofing contractor has the insurance and the credentials to perform the job.

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Minnesota Roof Care Tips In The Twin Cities

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 5th September 2009

The different seasons take their toll on your roof, which is why it is good for you to know how to take care of your roof throughout the seasons. You may think that you only need to maintain your roof once per year, but if you really want to get the most out of it, then you may want to rethink that.

There are certain care tips that you can use all year round to make sure your roof lasts as long as you paid for it to last.

In Twin Cities, the seasons are quite defined. When it is winter, you know it is winter. Here are some tips for each of the seasons:

  • You will first want to contact a Twin Cities roof inspector and have them inspect your roof in the late spring and/or the fall. The reason is because the winter can wreak havoc and the weather usually doesn’t start to warm up until later spring. The fall is a good time to inspect because the summer is quite aggressive on a roof and the harm that the summer can inflict is over by the fall. You can then prepare for the winter, just as a spring inspection allows you to prepare for the summer.
  • Make sure during the spring and the summer that you frequently clean your downspouts and your gutters to ensure they are flowing freely.
  • If your roof is over 10 years old, you can stand on the ground during a wind storm and see if there is any lift to your shingles. This is best to do during the spring and summer due to the increase in wind storms. If there is any lift, this means the adhesive strip on the shingles are not doing their job.
  • If you have moss on your roof in the spring and summer, you can sweep it off when it is wet or use a moss killer.
  • Also in the summer, you will want to have your roof checked after hail and wind storms to ensure no damage was done and to take care of any damage as soon as possible.
  • In the fall, you want to look for any cracking after a summer of the sun hitting your roofing full force. You’ve probably experienced Twin Cities hail storms and wind storms as well, so shingles with mineral granules missing, as well as shingles showing any kind of damage should be replaced.
  • You will want to frequently remove leaves and other debris from your gutters and downspouts. You may find that you do this more often in the fall because of the leaves falling from the trees.
  • Check skylights, vents, and any other hardware on your roof to ensure they are not cracked or broken. You can also have a Twin Cities roofing company take care of this for you so that you don’t have to.
  • In the winter, watch out for ice dams along your eaves, gutters, and your drains. If melting snow and ice can’t drain, it will find the easiest way out, which can be faulty areas on your roof.
  • When snow storms come with wind, make sure there is no shingle uplift after the snow melts.

And whatever you do, do not pressure wash your roof or try shoveling snow off of your roof because this can cause more damage than good. Any time you need assistance with cleaning or removing snow, talk to a Twin Cities roofer so the right steps can be taken.

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