The Comprehensive Guide to Roof Repair in Des Moines

We’ve published a lot of content about roofing in Des Moines. To find our broader Blog page click here – the information on that page should be able to help you find answers to common concerns when trying to determine if now is the right time for a roofing repair or a total roof replacement. 

This article is about providing you the basics on roof repair in Des Moines that covers all the bases. We still recommend you connect with one of our specialists or read through several of our supporting articles and resources on site to ensure you have a more complete picture of what’s possible when planning for roof repair or replacement in Des Moines, and throughout the region.

The goal of this article is to give you a good basic framework for understanding what you need to further research in roof repair topics and what to plan and use in consideration of a roofing replacement and repair company in and around Des Moines.  

How does Des Moines Weather affect roofs?

There are some weather extremes in Iowa and that means there are large spreads between what nature can and will throw at your roof. Your roof is the biggest entry point for structure concerns due to weather in your entire home. 

When these weather extremes shift like they do in Des Moines and the greater region, it can be stressful for your roof. From humidity changes, to hail concerns, to high wind loads – there is a year-round toll on the umbrella that covers your home. And you need to make sure that the protection the roof offers and the long-term sustainability of the construction methods used to build your home, are sound over the years, as your home ages. 

As a roofing company, we can help you over the years, even before you need a roofing replacement, by inspecting and repairing failures due to weather related events or total weather damage. While the seasonal mix in Iowa is part of the reason many people live in the state, it can also wreak havoc on traditional building materials and older roof construction. We think you’re likely to benefit from routine inspections.

You can schedule a roofing consultation here. 

What does a typical roof repair look like in Des Moines?

Every roof tells a different story. There is not really a “typical roof repair” in Des Moines. But – there are some common occurrences that we see as roofing specialists in the Des Moines area. 

We often see things like:

• Missing shingles at the roofline or untethered roof coverings in small spots on the roof which can cause moisture damage over time
• Hail damage that is worse than what the surface level inspections show
• Sagging in sheathing due to snow loads after heavy winter events and slow snow melt
• Older roofing materials that have exceeded their useful life – the roofing industry has seen great innovation even over the past 15 years 

Some common concerns with roofing in Des Moines

Hail is a big concern. 

Major swings in humidity can also cause problems. 

Wind patterns are also having a major impact on your roofline. 

Here’s why each of these cause problems:

Hail concerns with roofs in Des Moines

Roofing materials used in Des Moines already accommodate for hail concerns generally, but that doesn’t mean a particularly bad hail storm, or hail season cannot cause lasting damage. 

Sure, WE WOULD tell you that you should inspect your roof after a major hail event – after all, WE ARE a roofing company.

But that doesn’t mean that it’s inaccurate information. It’s a fact that hail can cause damage under the surface, and can cause little issues to be turned into bigger issues. We absolutely recommend you have your roof inspected by a qualified roofing professional after a major hail event.

How humidity and moisture can cause problems for Des Moines Homeowners

As snow melts (or the rainy season is prolonged), and wood expands and contracts, there can be loosening of mechanical fasteners on your roof. Long-term moisture in static conditions means that wood and paper products that are part of roofing technology over the past 5 decades and more, can be damaged and moisture can lead to rot and degradation.

Wind shifts can mean you might need to pay more attention to your roofline to make sure you don’t have bigger problems later on

Huge differences in wind strength and seeing changes seasonally can mean that you may experience damage in roof coverings and roofline components. The shifting wind strength and the heavy periods of wind impact are generally tied to increased roof damage.

Why roof repair right now, makes the most sense

Everyone wants roofing repair when they have an emergency. Quite simply put: roofing is not an approachable topic when you don’t FEEL the issues caused by a roofing repair need. But when you’re experiencing a faulty roof, it’s the most important topic on your mind.  

The problem is: Most roofing repairs from an emergency perspective happen at certain times of the year or during specific environmental events – complicating the scheduling process, and putting constraints on how many crews can be put into service at one time. 

When there is a major winter event, or heavy periods of rainfall, repairs and roofing projects skyrocket. That means you may not be able to get your needs met, because there are only so many qualified roofers available in the area. 

It’s why routine maintenance and inspections can have a major positive impact on your total peace of mind, and ensure that minor issues don’t become bigger issues. 

When is the best time to consider roofing repair or replacement? When the weather is spectacular! This is largely due to the fact that there are less strains on the staffing and there is less opportunity for delays in timelines due to weather related concerns. 

Additionally – why allow your roof to fail and cause costly issues, when you can preempt a large majority of bigger issues through selective and proactive inspection and maintenance? 

Some basics on roofing that will help keep you in a good position to know when you need to repair

If you’re doing the following regularly, you’re going to be in a good position to react properly to roofing needs:

• Inspect your roofline for anomalies and obvious signs of degradation
• Don’t hesitate to call if you start to see water damage on overhangs, your interior ceiling, or corners
• If your roof has never had an inspection and it’s older than 5 years old, then you should consider a routine inspection
• If there has been a major wind, hail or rain event, a basic look at the roof and potentially in the attic can be appropriate
• If your neighbors are starting to replace or repair roofs, you might also consider an inspection – make sure you’re working with a reputable roofing company in Des Moines

Hiring the right roofing company to work with in Des Moines

Of course we’d love to be part of your consideration as a roofing repair company in Des Moines. But what’s most important is that you look at the company, their capabilities and their longstanding reputation as a company that can back their roofing repair and replacement work. This is true whether you choose Nu-Vu, or another company. 

The absolute standards for determining a good partner in a roofing company are as follows: 

• Does the company have real reviews, and do they represent the type of company you want to be working with?
• Is the company strong from a financial and staffing perspective – can they do what they say they can do?
• Is the company responsive – do they answer questions transparently – are they explaining things thoroughly?
• Is the proposed contract, budget, and timeline transparent, relatable and understandable? 

You can connect with a no-pressure representative here. 

But mostly, you can rest assured that we are positioned to service Des Moines homeowners as a best in class roofing repair company. We have developed a tremendously positive reputation, and we have had an excellent track record in backing our work, and working efficiently. We’d love to be your roofing partner going forward.