Can my roof just be repaired? We check that first.
Yes, Repair King repairs roofs. Before we ever talk about replacement, we check whether your roof can be repaired: brittleness, shingle match, Minnesota code and the manufacturer's specs.
Do I even need a roofer right now?
Maybe not. We qualify every roof before we quote anything. You'll hear one of three answers.
"No damage. You're good."
We tell you, show you the photos, and leave. No charge, no pitch.
"Minor. You can live with it."
Cosmetic or small wear? We'll say so, tell you what to watch, and fix it only if you want.
"This looks like storm damage."
We document it with dated photos so you can talk to your insurance agent with facts. Your insurer decides coverage.
Repair or replace: where does my roof stand?
Tap an answer on each line. Your result updates as you go.
We'll show where your roof most likely lands.
Book a repair check Call (612) 354-7677A quick self-check, not a diagnosis. Only an on-roof inspection can confirm whether a repair will hold.
What do you actually check before saying repair or replace?
Nine things, every time. The numbers on the diagram match the cards.
Brittleness check
Gentle hand-lift of tabs next to the damage, on a mild day, on video.
Brittle shingles can crack when lifted, so a repair can create new damage. No ASTM standard measures this on a roof (Haag, 2018), so it's one fact among several, never the only one.
Shingle ID (itel / NTS)
We identify brand, line, color and size. For hard cases, a sample goes to an ID service like itel or NTS.
Those reports show the closest available match and whether your original shingle is still made.
Size & discontinued check
Older 36-inch shingles vs. today's metric shingles, exposure, color blend.
Haag's testing shows legacy 36" roofs need specific repair methods. A mismatch can look patched or leave courses that don't line up.
Minnesota code
Ice barrier at eaves, solid deck, layer count, local permit.
MN requires ice barrier underlayment, shingles on a solid deck, and no new layer over two existing ones.
Manufacturer specs & warranty
Repairs follow the shingle maker's instructions: nailing, sealing, exposure.
Manufacturer warranties depend on installation details. Mixing in off-spec parts can put coverage on that area at risk.
Flashing
Step, wall, chimney, valley and skylight flashing.
Flashing is where many leaks start, often feet away from the drip on your ceiling.
Vents & pipe boots
Rubber boot collars, vent caps, exhaust hoods.
Cracked boots let water run down the pipe. Cheap fix, big damage if ignored.
Decking
We feel for soft spots and check from the attic.
Soft or rotted wood must be cut out first. Shingles over a bad deck won't hold.
Attic ventilation & ice dams
Intake vs. exhaust, insulation, frost and past ice-dam stains.
Poor airflow cooks shingles in summer and feeds ice dams in winter. Fix the cause, not just the drip.
| Rule | What it means for your roof |
|---|---|
| Ice barrier required | MN Residential Code marks ice barrier underlayment "required." On shingles it runs from the eave to at least 24" inside the exterior wall (IRC R905.1.2). |
| Solid deck | Asphalt shingles must be fastened to solid sheathing or 1-inch boards (Minn. R. 1309.0905). |
| Two-layer limit | No new roof over two or more existing layers. It has to be torn off (IRC R908.3.1.1). |
| Drip edge | Minnesota deleted the IRC drip-edge rule, but shingle makers like IKO call for it at eaves and rakes, so we install it. |
What will a repair cost me?
Usually hundreds, not thousands. These are typical national ranges, not our quote. You get a written price after we look.
Pipe boot / vent pipe flashing
Wall or step flashing
Chimney flashing
Valley repair
Roof vent repair
Ridge cap repair
Deck repair (per 100 sq ft)
Hail damage repair
Typical ranges: Angi (2026 data) and HomeGuide (2026) national cost guides. Twin Cities prices vary. Labeled "typical" on purpose: your price depends on what we find.
Repair or replace: what's the real difference for me?
Repair
- Typical cost
- Hundreds to a few thousand
- Time
- Often one visit
- Best when
- Damage is local, shingles still flexible, match available
- Looks
- New pieces can look different at first, then blend as they age (ARMA)
Replace
- Typical cost
- A bigger project, priced per roof
- Time
- Usually 1 to 2 days on site
- Best when
- Brittle or worn across the roof, damage on many slopes, soft deck
- Looks
- Uniform, new system with a fresh manufacturer warranty
When would you tell me a repair isn't worth it?
We'd rather lose a repair job than sell you a patch that fails next spring. Here's when we say so, with photos.
Brittle across the roof
If tabs crack everywhere we lift, every repair risks new damage.
Damage on many slopes
Patching slope after slope costs more and still looks patched.
Bald spots / black mat
Heavy granule loss means the shingles are near the end of their life.
Soft deck in many places
Rot under the shingles means tear-off, not patches.
No match anywhere
If the product is discontinued and nothing close exists, a repair may stand out.
Same leak, again and again
Repeat leaks often point to ventilation, design or a worn-out system.
Water coming in right now?
Put a bucket under it, move valuables, then call. Active leaks get priority.
What happens after I call?
Inspect
We find the real source, check repairability, and photograph it.
Document
Dated photos, shingle ID, brittleness video. Yours to keep.
Explain options
Repair first if it makes sense. Written price. No pressure.
Complete work
Fixed to manufacturer specs, cleaned up, photos of the finished repair.
Many trusted crews, one accountable company.
Repair King is a licensed Minnesota general contractor (BC695228). We send the right vetted crew for your job, from a single pipe boot to a full roof, and we stand behind the work.
Can someone just look at it this week?
Yes. Tell us what you're seeing. We'll check repair first and send you photos of everything.
- Repair-first check on every roof
- Photo report you keep, hire us or not
- Written price before any work
- Licensed MN BC695228 and insured
Book a repair check
Free. We check if it can be repaired first, and you get photos of everything we find.
Quick answers
Do you actually do roof repairs, or just replacements?
We do repairs. Missing or creased shingles, leaks, flashing, pipe boots, vents, valleys, small deck sections and ice-dam damage. We check whether your roof can be repaired before we ever talk about replacing it.
How much does a roof repair cost?
Most small repairs land in the hundreds, not thousands. National guides put typical repairs at roughly $392 to $1,930 (HomeAdvisor 2025), with pipe boots and simple flashing often $200 to $500. Pitch, access, matching, decking found under the shingles and the season drive the price. You get a written price before any work.
Can you match my shingles?
Often, yes. We identify the brand, line, color and size first. When the product is hard to identify or may be discontinued, a shingle sample can be sent to an identification service such as itel or NTS, which report the closest available match and whether the original is still made.
Can brittle shingles be repaired?
Sometimes not without cracking the shingles around the repair. There is no ASTM lab standard for testing brittleness on a roof in place, so we do a careful hand-lift check on a mild day, record it on video, and weigh it with roof age, granule loss and product availability.
Is a roof repair covered by insurance?
It depends on your policy and on what caused the damage. Wear and age usually are not covered; sudden storm damage may be. We inspect, document with dated photos and explain what we found. Your insurer decides coverage, and Minnesota law doesn't allow roofing contractors to negotiate claims for you.
Can you fix a leak in the winter?
Yes, for many leaks. Shingles are stiffer in the cold, so we may do a temporary seal first and the permanent repair on a milder day. Active leaks get priority. Call (612) 354-7677.
- ARMA Technical Bulletin, "Asphalt Shingle Roofs Are Repairable: What You Need to Know" (Feb 2026)
- Haag Engineering, "The Brittleness Test" (June 2018): no ASTM, ANSI or peer-reviewed method quantifies shingle brittleness on a roof
- Haag Research & Testing, "Repairing an Existing 36-Inch Laminated Asphalt Shingle Roof" (legacy vs. metric-size shingles)
- ARMA, "When Does a Shingle Comply with ASTM D3462?" (compliance is measured at time of manufacture)
- itel, Roofing Matching (nationwide search for new and discontinued roofing, best available matches + distributors)
- NTS / Name That Shingle, Reports FAQ (identification per manufacturer specs; shows whether a product is available or out of production)
- Minn. R. 1309.0301, Table R301.2(1): ice barrier underlayment required = Yes (2020 Minnesota Residential Code)
- Minn. R. 1309.0905: asphalt shingles on solidly sheathed decks or 1-inch boards; IRC drip-edge section R905.2.8.5 deleted in Minnesota
- IRC R905.1.2 ice barrier and R908.3.1.1 roof recover limits, as adopted in the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code
- IRC R806.2 minimum attic vent area (1/150, or 1/300 with conditions), model residential code
- IKO Dynasty application instructions (drip edge at eaves and rakes) and IKO Limited Warranty conditions
- Typical national repair prices: Angi, "How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?" (2026 data); HomeGuide roof repair and flashing repair cost guides (2026); HomeAdvisor roof repair cost (2025)
- Minn. Stat. § 325E.66 (residential roofing contractors and insurance claims)
General information, not insurance or legal advice. Repair King inspects, documents and explains; your insurer decides coverage, and Minnesota law doesn't allow roofing contractors to negotiate claims for homeowners.
You'll never have to wonder what's happening.
The #1 complaint about contractors is "they stopped calling me back." Our system texts and emails you at every step, from the moment you book to the final walkthrough.
Appointment confirmed
Text and email confirmation the moment you book, plus a reminder before we arrive.
"You're booked for Tue 10 AM ✓"On our way
A heads-up text when your inspector or crew is headed to your home. No waiting around.
"On our way, 20 min out"Photos of everything
You see what we see: a photo report of every finding, yours to keep.
"Your photo report is ready"Every stage, updated
Materials ordered, crew scheduled, install day, final walkthrough. You hear about each step as it happens.
"Materials delivered for Thursday"A real person answers
Questions? Call or text and talk to our team, not a phone tree.
"Got it, we'll check and text you back"Informed at every step. That's the Repair King standard.
Leak, missing shingles, or just not sure? Let's look this week.
Free repair check. Repair first if it makes sense. Photos you keep.