Learn when siding repair versus full replacement is the best investment for your Prior Lake, MN, home to ensure protection, curb appeal, and long-term value.

Understand the critical steps to take immediately after hail or storm damage in Mankato, MN, to protect your home and streamline your insurance claim process.

Your Guide for the Top Commercial Roofing Options 

When extreme weather strikes, it can often leave some sort of damage in its wake. In the Midwest specifically we often experience hail, tornados, and other severe storms. In such situations, two types of entities often come to mind: storm chasers and local storm restoration companies. While both are associated with storm-related services, there are significant differences between them. We are here to shed light on these distinctions to help homeowners make informed decisions when seeking assistance after a storm. 1. Scope of Operations The primary difference between storm chasers and local storm restoration companies lies in their scope of operations. Storm chasers are typically out-of-town contractors who follow storm patterns and rush to areas that have been recently hit by severe weather events. These contractors are not local to the affected area and often travel across states to capitalize on the surge in demand for restoration services. On the other hand, local storm restoration companies are established businesses within the community, operating within a specific geographic area. They have deep roots in the local community and are committed to providing reliable services to their neighbors in times of distress. 2. Reputation and Trustworthiness One of the most critical factors to consider when dealing with storm-related damage is the reputation and trustworthiness of the service provider. Storm chasers, being transient in nature, might not have an established reputation in the area. While some may be reliable and provide quality work, others might engage in dubious practices or even disappear after the job is completed, making it challenging to hold them accountable for any issues that arise later. In contrast, local storm restoration companies have a reputation to uphold within their community. Their track record is more accessible to verify through local references, online reviews, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Homeowners can trust their commitment to providing reliable and ethical services, as they have a vested interest in maintaining a positive reputation within their local area. 3. Knowledge of Local Building Codes and Regulations Local storm restoration companies have an in-depth understanding of the specific building codes and regulations of the area they serve. This knowledge ensures that any restoration work they undertake complies with local laws, reducing the risk of potential issues during inspections and insurance claims. Storm chasers, being unfamiliar with the region's unique building codes, might inadvertently perform work that does not meet local requirements. This could lead to complications during the inspection process or even render the restoration work non-compliant. 4. Long-Term Support and Guarantees Storm chasers are notorious for their lack of long-term support and guarantees. Once the job is done, they might move on to the next storm-affected region, leaving homeowners without any recourse should future problems or repairs arise. At Millersberg Construction, we take great pride in establishing our reputation as one of Southern Minnesota's foremost roofing and exterior contracting firms. With an unwavering commitment to quality and customer service, we have diligently developed our business over the past decade, earning the trust of the communities we serve. As a licensed and insured company, we prioritize adherence to industry standards and regulations, ensuring that every project we undertake is carried out with the utmost professionalism and compliance. We handle all necessary permits and paperwork, alleviating any concerns for our valued home and business owners. We would be honored to be your preferred contractor when you find yourself in need of storm restoration services!

As spring approaches, it’s crucial to be aware of the condition of your roof and your building’s exterior especially given the harsh winter we have experienced! Whether you reside in a townhome, common interest community, apartment building or you own an investment property, seasonal inspections are a simple and valuable tool you can use to maintain and protect your home and/or investment. A reputable construction or roofing company should always prioritize repairing and maintaining your property’s exterior before immediately recommending a full roof or siding replacement. It’s hard to know when the next repair or damage from the elements may happen to your property, this is why having a trusted contractor who understands the importance of maintenance and being there for you is key! In this article we will walk you through some trends we saw this winter, what to look for when hiring a contractor or maintenance company and what you can expect if you choose to invest in a maintenance program. This winter we have seen record snowfalls, varying temperatures, multiple types of precipitation, and high wind. There have been multiple reports of larger than normal ice dams, wind driven rain leaks, wind damage to roofing systems, as well as other issues throughout this season. Fun fact: The biggest misconception we see when it comes to ice damming is that the ice dam is caused by the roofing system. Ice dams are actually caused by either inadequate insulation or ventilation. While some of these things may seem like small and easy fixes, if ignored they can add up to some longer term property damage. If you experienced any of the above issues with your property this winter, it may benefit you to seek a contractor to come assess your property early this spring so you can get an idea of any damage that was done and to get an accurate report on your roof's remaining life expectancy. Here is a list of things to look for when deciding on a reputable contractor: Insurance: A reputable company will be fully insured so you as the property owner will not be liable for any accidents that happen with a contractor on your roof or property. Licensing: All contractors must be licensed by the state of Minnesota. Certifications: Most reputable contractors will have certifications through their supplier to provide you with peace of mind. Warranties: Most reputable contractors will be able to offer you both workmanship warranties and manufacturer warranties for work done on your property. If you were to partner with a contractor or maintenance company, here is a list of common services that are completed when you have a regularly scheduled maintenance program in place: Identify Repairs: Every roof has a life expectancy. Taking care of any minor repairs as they come up before they grow larger is a great way to minimize cost and prolong the life of the roofing system. Seasonal Damage/Regular Cleaning: As stated above; wind, snow, water and falling debris can cause damages and impede the roofing systems ability to shed water. Regular cleaning can prevent drainage issues and address immediate repairs Leak detection/Energy Efficiency: Most companies use thermal imaging to find and address any water damage that can not be seen by the naked eye. This can also be helpful in finding any hotspots on your exterior to create a plan to maximize energy efficiency. Security: Many business owners do not think of the roof as an easy access into your property by thieves. Having someone regularly inspect the roof will help address any access points and look for any evidence of attempted break-ins. Peace of Mind: Regular and consistent inspections give homeowners and business owners the peace of mind that their roofing systems will not fail resulting in costly repairs. Having periodic inspection reports also makes the process of valuing and selling your property much less time consuming as you will have detailed inspection reports from a licensed and certified roofing contractor. Ultimately, understanding the importance of maintenance and how to seek out a reputable contractor for this service can save money, make budgeting much more efficient and accurate, and give homeowners, business owners, and tenants peace of mind that their property is being taken care of.

At Millersberg Construction, LLC, we’re always looking for ways to improve our business operations, so we can better serve our customers and expedite the remodeling and claims processes. That said, our team is excited to announce that we’ve started digitizing our claims operations by using innovative drone technology to handle exterior home inspections. So, what makes using drone technology so great anyway? Using drones makes the inspection process… Safer As a professional roofing company , we already have to spend time up in the air working on roofs, gutters, siding, and more. Loveland Innovations’ drone inspection system eliminates an extra trip up to the roof, which ultimately keeps our team safer. This is especially important because the inspection process typically would involve a lot of moving around for documentation and taking measurements. Now, our team can stay safely on the ground and let the drones do all the risky work! Faster On top of being safer for our team, drones make the inspection process faster, too. A drone can move swiftly around a home’s exterior in the time it takes for our roofers to climb up to the roof and navigate around it to record data. This is especially true for high-sloped roofs, which are inherently more dangerous to be on. By digitizing our inspections, our roofing team can spend less time standing on your roof and take more time to help take care of you and your needs for your home! More Accurate Another great thing about using technology for home inspections is it offers no bias. Even the most experienced roofing contractors have to leave room for human error, which can either lead to a slightly less accurate measurement or even discord between the homeowner and roofing team. By using IMGING, our roofers will have all the information at our fingertips, which we can pull up again after the inspection for reference. Plus, on top of taking pictures, this drone technology can provide precise measurements that we can then use during the actual remodel. Get in Touch with Our Local Minnesota Remodelers to Learn More Today Are you ready to start planning your own exterior remodeling project? Get in touch with our experts at Millersberg. As a GAF-certified Green Roofer and BBB-accredited business, we are proud to serve local homeowners throughout southern Minnesota. With this new drone technology, we will be able to provide a quicker and more accurate assessment of your home, so we can get started on the actual renovations. Our professional services include: Roof Repairs & Replacements Storm Damage Restoration Projects Window Replacements Siding Installation Projects Gutter System Replacements If you’re ready to start planning your own exterior remodel, give us a call to chat with a professional about our products and services. You can also fill out our online form to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our team today.

Sunlight can damage your roof and with it being summertime, the more sun, the more the damage and the faster it will age. Even though some roofing materials are made to withstand direct heat the tiles can still become dry and lose flexibility as they age. Roofing materials are made with oils and when hit with the elements they can move and change shape to adapt to the condition. The sun’s heat dries this essential oil up over time, tearing away the weatherproofing chemicals that help protect your roof. If your roof tiles start to move, then other parts of your roof can also become damaged.

The roof of your home guards your family and possessions against extreme weather and storms. Not only is it important to schedule a roof inspection after a major storm but it’s important to schedule a routine inspection at least twice a year. Ensuing your roof is in the proper condition year-round can help you avoid expensive repairs and major damage. Thinking about scheduling an inspection but aren’t sure what to expect? Let us tell you what to expect with a professional roofing inspection. Exterior Inspection The professional roofer will perform the inspection inside and outside the home. During the exterior inspection they will check the outside of the roof for signs of damage. This includes taking a close look at things like leaks, missing shingles, cracked caulk, or damaged flashing as well as recording that damage whether by picture or video. The inspector will even check for uneven roof places and signs of sagging as well as the condition of your gutters.