Why We Don't Just Cover Up Old Siding Problems: The Bruggeman Exterior Approach in Saint Paul, MN
We'll be straight with you: there's a temptation in the exterior contracting world to move fast, cover things up, and move on. New siding over old rot. New shingles over failing decking. It happens more than Saint Paul, Minnesota homeowners realize, and you often won't know until the next contractor tears into it years later and finds a mess. That's not how we work.
What We Found Behind the Siding
On a recent job, we pulled off the old siding and found exactly what you don't want to see: rotted sheathing, deteriorated framing material, and flashing that had been letting water in for years. The surface had looked okay. The structure underneath was a different story. We stopped, documented what we found, walked the homeowner through it, and fixed it properly before putting the new siding up. Did it add time and cost to the project? Yes. Was it the right call? Absolutely.
Why We Always Check the Substrate
Before new siding goes up, we inspect the sheathing and framing for soft spots, rot, and moisture damage. Before new roofing goes down, we check the decking. It's not glamorous work, but it's the difference between a job that lasts 30 years and one that causes problems in five.
Flashing Is A Non-Negotiable
Improper flashing is one of the leading causes of water damage in Minnesota homes. We install and inspect flashing on every project, around windows, doors, roof transitions, and anywhere two surfaces meet. If existing flashing is failing, we replace it. We don't patch problems we know will come back.
We Tell You What We Find
If we open up a wall and find damage, we show you. We explain what happened, what needs to be done, and what it will cost to fix it right. You'll never hear "we took care of it" without knowing what that means. Homeowners deserve to understand what's going on with their own home.
The Long View
We've been serving Saint Paul, MN homeowners for years, and most of our business comes from referrals and repeat customers. That only happens if we do honest, quality work. When we put our name on a project, we want it to hold up, not just look good on the day we drive away.
If you're ready for a contractor who'll give you the straight story, we'd love to talk.
Give us a call or
contact us online for a free estimate.
