Clearwater roofing, between the Mississippi and I-94
Clearwater sits on a bluff between the Mississippi and Clearwater Rivers, and every roof here takes on lake-effect humidity in summer and open exposure off the water when a storm rolls through. Repair King has inspected and repaired roofs on both sides of town, from skylights and ridge vents to gutters and flashing, and we document every finding with dated photos before any work starts.
What we check on a Clearwater roof
Clearwater grew up as a rivertown on a bluff above the Mississippi, and its housing ranges from in-town lots near the original townsite to newer homes further from the river.
Skylights and roof-mounted domes
Plastic dome skylights take UV and hail damage differently than shingles -- hairline crazing in the dome itself is often the first sign something hit it. We check every skylight during an inspection, not just the shingle field around it.
Ridge vents, flashing and gutters
Soft metal and seams are usually the first place hail damage shows up. We check ridge caps, valley flashing and gutter runs on every job, even when the shingles themselves look fine from the ground.
Homes near the river bluff
Properties closer to the Mississippi and Clearwater Rivers get more direct wind off the water. We look closely at exposed south- and west-facing slopes after any storm with a wind report.
When storms last hit Clearwater
Clearwater sits between Cokato and Howard Lake in the same Wright County hail corridor, right where I-94 crosses the Mississippi. NOAA storm reports show 2.5-inch hail near Clearwater on July 26, 2019 -- the largest reported here since 2015 -- with additional 1-inch-plus hail events in 2024 and again on April 17, 2025. A 58 mph wind gust was reported here on August 3, 2023. Hail that size can crack a skylight dome or dent a ridge vent without ever showing up as a leak, which is why we check both on every inspection.
| Date | Type | What was reported |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2025 | Hail | 1" hail reported |
| Jul 13, 2024 | Hail | 1.75" hail reported |
| Aug 3, 2023 | Wind | 58 mph wind gust measured |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports within 3 miles of Clearwater properties Repair King has worked on, through September 2026. Reports are from trained spotters and the public; hail can hit a street without a report.
What our inspection covers
- Every roof slope, ridge and valley walked and photographed
- Skylights, ridge vents, flashing and gutters checked for cracks and dents
- Chalk-marked hail hits documented with a close-up photo of each
- Dated, GPS-tagged photo report you keep, whatever the outcome
Check your own address
Our free Roof & Storm Report looks up hail and wind history for your exact address, not just the city.
Real Clearwater jobs, from our job camera
Photos taken by Repair King crews at Clearwater properties. Dates are the capture dates from our job camera.
Permits: City of Clearwater
The City of Clearwater requires a building permit for re-roofing and re-siding, along with new construction, additions, decks and other home maintenance work, under the Minnesota State Building Code. Repair King pulls the permit under our Minnesota contractor license (BC695228).
Minnesota's statewide roofing rule applies here too: a roof with three or more existing layers has to be torn off down to the deck before new shingles go on.
If your property is outside Clearwater's city limits, permits run through Wright County. Tell us your address and we'll confirm the right office before we schedule.
Around Clearwater
Clearwater was first settled in 1855 under the name El Dorado, on a bluff where the Clearwater River meets the Mississippi, and grew around what was once the longest continuously operating ferry crossing on the entire Mississippi River. The 1861 First Congregational Church and the 1863 William W. Webster House are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today Interstate 94 and Highway 24 are the city's two main routes, Riverside Park sits at Main Street and County Road 75, and the newer Depot Park runs along the river at the end of Elm Street. Whether a house sits close to the water or back toward I-94, we check the same things: shingles, flashing, vents and skylights.
Clearwater roofing questions
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Clearwater?
Yes. The City of Clearwater requires a building permit for re-roofing under the Minnesota State Building Code. Repair King pulls the permit under our Minnesota contractor license.
Does Repair King inspect skylights, not just shingles?
Yes. Plastic dome skylights can develop hairline cracks or haze from hail and UV exposure well before the surrounding shingles show damage, so we check every skylight during a Clearwater inspection.
When did hail last hit Clearwater?
NOAA storm reports show 1-inch hail near Clearwater on April 17, 2025, and a larger 2.5-inch hail event on July 26, 2019 -- the largest reported here since 2015. Run a free Roof & Storm Report to check your address.
How many shingle layers can I have before a full tear-off is required?
Minnesota code requires a full tear-off to the deck once a roof has three or more existing shingle layers. We check this during the inspection before quoting the job.
What do I get from a Repair King inspection?
A dated photo report covering your roof slopes, ridge, valleys, skylights, flashing and gutters, so you have a clear record of your property's condition.
Book a free roof inspection
No cost, no pressure. You get photos of everything we find.