My insurance says only 14 shingles are damaged. Can they just repair them?
Sometimes a spot repair works and sometimes it can't be done right: it depends on whether your existing shingles can be lifted without cracking, whether matching shingles are still made, and whether the repair can meet Minnesota's building code. The only way to know is a hands-on check of your roof, documented with photos, before anyone settles on repair versus replacement.
Photos by Repair King crews from real inspections and jobs.
What decides whether a few shingles can be repaired?
A shingle repair means lifting the shingles above the damaged one, pulling nails and sliding a new shingle in. That only works when the roof around it can take the handling. These are the five things we check:
| What we check | How we check it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Brittleness | Gentle hand-lift of tabs next to the damage | Brittle shingles crack when lifted, so one repair can create new damage |
| Matching | Brand, product line, color and exposure (5" vs 5 5/8") | Discontinued lines and different exposures can't be woven in cleanly |
| Seal strips | Whether tabs are sealed down and re-seal | Broken seals are how shingles blow off in the next wind |
| Layers | Number of existing roof layers | Code limits what can be done over two or more layers |
| Decking | Attic view of the roof deck | Code requires a solid deck under asphalt shingles |
Who decides repair versus replacement on an insurance claim?
Your insurance company makes the claim decision, based on its adjuster's inspection and the documentation it has. Repair King's part is making sure the condition of the roof is fully documented, including whether the shingles around the damage can actually be handled. We can meet the adjuster at the property and show what we found, and you're welcome to be there too.
What we document on every storm inspection
The Repair King Storm Damage Documentation Standard. You keep the report whether or not you hire us.
- Street view and every elevation photographed
- Every roof slope photographed, with close-ups of each damaged area
- Soft metals (vents, caps, gutters, AC fins) checked for dents
- Shingle brand, line and exposure identified; availability checked
- Hand-lift brittleness check on the existing shingles, when relevant
- Attic and decking checked for type, gaps, rot and past leaks
- Storm date and hail size at your address from NOAA reports
- Everything put into one report you keep, whether or not you hire us
Related questions
Sources
- Minn. R. 1309.0905, IRC R905.2.1 as amended: asphalt shingles fastened to solidly sheathed decks or 1-inch nominal boards
- IRC R908.3.1.1 roof recover limits, as adopted in the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code
- Minn. Stat. § 325E.66 (residential roofing contractors and insurance claims)
This is general information about Minnesota law and building code, not insurance or legal advice. How it applies to your home depends on your policy and your situation; your insurance agent or an attorney can tell you. Minnesota law doesn't allow roofing contractors to negotiate claims for homeowners, so Repair King's role is inspection, documentation and the construction work.
Get the facts about your roof
A licensed Minnesota contractor walks your roof, photographs everything and explains what we found in plain words. Or call (612) 354-7677.
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