Hail Season is Here: Is Your Saint Paul, Minnesota Roof Ready to Take a Beating?
Well, folks, it’s that time of year again. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and the sky is preparing to drop golf-ball-sized chunks of ice on our homes. Yes, hail season is upon us. If you’ve lived around Saint Paul, MN long enough, you know that a severe storm can roll in faster than Dad can fire up the grill on a Saturday afternoon. And while you might be able to pull the cars into the garage, your roof is out there taking the brunt of it.
At Bruggeman Exteriors, we’ve seen it all. As a third-generation family business, the Bruggeman Family has spent decades helping homeowners pick up the pieces after Mother Nature throws a tantrum. But what if we told you that you don’t have to just sit there and take it? What if your roof could actually fight back?
The Real Risk of Hail Damage
Winter is hard on roofs. Look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles, ice dams and heavy snow loads can dislodge or crack shingles you didn't even know were vulnerable. Check your gutters for an unusual amount of granules, which signals your shingles are wearing out faster than expected. Also inspect around chimneys, vents, and skylights for gaps or cracked caulking that may have opened up during the freeze-thaw cycle.
Enter the Heavyweight Champion: Impact-Resistant Shingles
Clear out any debris, twigs, and leftover gunk from fall and winter. Check that gutters are still securely fastened, ice weight can pull them away from the fascia. Make sure downspouts are clear and directing water at least 3–4 feet away from your foundation. Spring brings heavy rain, and you want water moving away from your home, not pooling around it.
The Silver Lining: Insurance Premium Discounts
Walk the full perimeter of your home and look for cracks, gaps, warping, or loose panels. Pay close attention to corners and areas around windows and doors, those are the spots most likely to have let moisture in over the winter. If anything looks soft, discolored, or bubbled, it's worth having a professional take a closer look.
Protecting Your Home During Storm Season
While upgrading your roof is the best long-term strategy, there are a few things every homeowner should know about protecting their home during storm season:
- Keep Your Gutters Clean: If your gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, water can back up under your shingles and cause leaks. Grab a ladder (or make Dad do it) and clear them out before the storms hit.
- Trim Those Trees: Overhanging branches can scrape against your roof in high winds, damaging the shingles. Plus, a dead branch falling on your roof during a storm is a recipe for disaster.
- Get a Pre-Season Inspection: Don’t wait for a storm to find out your roof has a weak spot. Have a pro come out and inspect your roof, siding, and windows to make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
At the end of the day, you can’t control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are for it. If you’re worried about your Saint Paul, MN roof’s ability to handle the upcoming hail season, contact us today!. The Bruggeman Family is here to help you weather the storm.
Stay safe out there!
