Roofs rarely fail all at once. They whisper first. A damp spot by the chimney after a sideways rain, a few granules collecting in the gutter, a shingle corner that lifts when the wind pushes across the ridge. Ignore those early signs and the fix gets pricier, fast. That is why St Louis homeowners tend to keep a trusted name in their phone for the moment those whispers get louder. Conner Roofing, LLC has become that call for many of us on both sides of the river, the roofers St Louis MO leans on when the line between a simple repair and a major project needs clear judgment and a steady hand.
I have walked enough roofs in this region to know that roofing here is not a one-size job. We see freeze-thaw cycles that pry nails loose over winter, spring thunderheads that hammer shingles with hail, July heat that cooks asphalt, and surprise gust fronts that peel back everything that is not nailed twice. A good roofer knows the materials, sure, but a good St Louis roofer understands the rhythm of our weather and how houses in Affton, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and the city handle that cadence differently. That judgment shows in how Conner Roofing, LLC approaches problems, from pinpoint leak hunts to full tear-offs.
What fails first on St Louis roofs
The weak points are predictable. Penetrations, valleys, and edges. Shingles, even mid-range architectural types, usually hang on. It is the details that betray a roof.
The first place I advise homeowners to check after a heavy rain is the flashing, particularly around chimneys and sidewalls. Step flashing often looks fine but hides water paths underneath when the counterflashing has separated from masonry or caulk has dried and cracked. Another common culprit is the plumbing vent stack. The rubber boot around that pipe may last ten to fifteen years in a mild climate, but the UV load here shortens that. When the sleeve splits, water rides the pipe into the attic and shows up as a ceiling stain six to eight feet away from the source. I have seen people repaint the same ceiling twice before calling a pro, because the drywall tells a different story than the roof deck.
Valleys fail next. Open metal valleys that were nailed too close to the centerline, or closed-cut valleys where installers broke the shingle seal back during a cold snap, can both allow water to rush under instead of over. You will hear roofers in St Louis disagree about closed versus open valleys. Both can work, but execution matters. On older homes with long valleys feeding big drainage areas, I like a wide, heavier-gauge metal and ice-and-water membrane up the valley legs. It costs a touch more but buys forgiveness when we get those inch-per-hour summer storms.
Lastly, edge details on rakes and eaves, particularly where older drip edges were never installed or where gutters sit too high, invite capillary action. Water curls under, rots subfascia, and eventually undermines the first shingle course. If your gutters overflow despite being clean, check slope and outlet sizing. Sometimes the roofing is blamed for what is actually a gutter design issue.
When a targeted repair is smarter than a replacement
A seasoned roofer can stand back at the curb and have a hunch, but the real call happens on the roof and in the attic. I have watched Conner Roofing, LLC technicians lift the edge of a suspect shingle with a flat bar and read the story underneath: nail placements, fastener bite, underlayment type, and the way the previous installer handled heat-welding or sealing. That level of reading guides whether a repair will hold for years or only until the next season.
Repairs make sense when the damage is localized and the remaining field shingles still have life. A hail event that bruised a 6-by-6 area by a dormer can be repaired if the surrounding shingles are not brittle and there is no widespread granule loss. The same goes for a leak that ties back to a single piece of failed flashing or a vent boot. I have seen $400 to $1,200 repairs extend a roof by five to seven years, which is a smart use of money if you are planning other renovations first or timing a replacement for a cooler season.
The trade-off is color match and blend. Shingles fade in the sun. Even if you find the original brand and line, a new bundle will pop a bit against a 10-year-old field. On rear elevations, that rarely matters. On a front elevation, a thoughtful roofer in St Louis will feather the patch wider than strictly necessary to avoid a checkerboard look. They will also discuss using an attic inspection to confirm the deck and insulation are dry and sound, because a repair on a rotten deck is no repair at all.
When a full replacement is the right call
There are four signs I use to move a homeowner from repair talk to replacement planning. First, widespread granule loss showing the asphalt substrate, especially in areas that are not high traffic, like below a dormer where no one walks. Second, shingles that snap or crack when lifted gently for a repair, which tells me the mat has aged out. Third, repeated leaks from different locations within a year, a clue that the whole system is tired. Fourth, a deck that gives underfoot or nails that have backed out across a field, which often means ventilation issues cooked the attic and caused plywood to delaminate.
By the time two or more of those conditions are present, a patch is like putting a new tire on a bent wheel. You can spend good money chasing leaks or put that money into a system that resets the clock, improves energy performance, and looks right. A careful St Louis roof replacement involves more than a shingle swap. It is a chance to correct ventilation, upgrade underlayments, replace drip edges, tune gutter interface, and set the home up for the next 20 to 30 years. Conner Roofing, LLC treats it as a full-system change, which aligns with the way manufacturers honor warranties.
Materials that make sense here
Most homes in our area use architectural asphalt shingles, and for good reason. They balance cost with performance, and the dimensional look fits our mix of brick bungalows, mid-century ranches, and newer infill. A good architectural shingle with algae resistance and a stout wind rating handles St Louis gusts if paired with proper fastening. Three-tab shingles still appear on older homes but do not hold their lines as well in our storms. With prices where they are, stepping up to dimensional makes sense for nearly everyone replacing a roof.
Metal roofs show up more on porches, bays, and accent roofs here, though a handful of full standing seam installations dot the city. If you go metal, the craftsmanship matters even more. Expansion and contraction will exploit short screws and poor clip spacing. That said, a small steel porch roof sheds ice better and can be a lifetime solution if detailed correctly around sidewalls and tied into masonry with proper reglet cuts.
Underlayments deserve attention. I am partial to synthetic underlayments over felt in our climate, simply because they stay stable during the three or four days of a large replacement and keep traction for crews when the afternoon sun heats the deck. Ice-and-water membrane at eaves and valleys is not optional for me. Even if your home sits on a hill and sheds melt quickly, the eaves see freeze-thaw and need that layer of defense.
Ventilation upgrades are the unsung win in a replacement. Many St Louis homes have a patchwork of box vents, intermittent soffit vents, and even gable fans. A balanced system with continuous ridge vent paired with clear, continuous soffit intake usually cools the attic by 10 to 20 degrees in summer, prolongs shingle life, and reduces ice dam risk in February. The right roofer will check baffling and insulation depth along the eaves to make sure intake air is not blocked by batts pushed tight into the soffit.
The jobsite matters as much as the shingle choice
Homeowners often fixate on brand and color. I pay as much attention to how a roofer runs a jobsite. If the yard looks like a tidy staging area at 8 a.m. and the driveway is protected, you will likely see the same discipline in how valleys are woven and how nails are placed. Conner Roofing, LLC crews set landscapes with tarps, protect AC condensers, and run magnets at the end of each day. That is not fluff. A stray nail in a driveway tire is a $250 lesson. A roofer who invests in detail on the ground tends to respect details up on the deck.
Communication is part of jobsite quality. I want to see a foreman walk the roof with the homeowner or project manager once tear-off reveals the deck. If there is rotten sheathing, the crew should point, photograph, and price transparently before proceeding. I have seen rotten edges hidden under old drip edge look fine from above until shingles come off. A good team will have sheathing on the truck and a fair per-sheet price stated ahead of time, so there are no surprises.
Weather windows and realistic timelines
Our weather swings make scheduling interesting. Spring is prime, fall is excellent, and even winter offers windows on the mild days we get between cold snaps. Summer replacements are entirely feasible, but crews have to pace themselves and handle adhesives differently. In July, shingles seal fast. In November, they may need a sunny day to tack down fully. A roofer who works here long enough knows when to stop for wind and when to push through a light sprinkle. If a severe line is approaching, the right move is to dry-in, button up with tarp and underlayment, and resume once safe. I have seen more damage from rushing to finish ahead of a storm than from pausing for a day.
A typical St Louis single-family tear-off and replace runs one to two days for a straightforward 2,000 to 3,000 square foot roof with a single layer of old shingles. Add time for steep pitches, multiple layers, extensive decking replacement, or intricate flashing work around chimneys and dormers. Build in half a day post-install for cleanup and final detailing. If a crew quotes a five-day run on a standard ranch, I ask why. If they promise to finish a large, complex roofers near me roof in one day no matter what, I ask how they plan to handle deck surprises. The truth usually lands between those extremes.
Insurance, hail, and the fine print
Hailstorms are part of our reality. After a big one, out-of-town trucks roll in with magnetic signs and a different area code. Some are honest. Some are not. The local St Louis roofers who were here before the storm will still be here next year when a warranty question comes up. If you suspect hail damage, start with a thorough inspection, not a profit-driven promise.
On insurance claims, the process goes smoother when the roofer documents everything and understands how carriers write scope. Conner Roofing, LLC plays this game straight. Photos of bruised shingles, soft metals that show impact, collateral hits on gutters and window wraps, and attic signs of new leaks build a solid file. If the carrier approves a replacement, watch the estimate for code upgrades. Our municipalities often require drip edge, ice-and-water at eaves, and proper ventilation. These are not fancy add-ons, they are required. A contractor who knows local code will include them and speak to the adjuster in the same language. Homeowners should also understand depreciation and recoverable depreciation. If your policy is replacement cost, you will pay your deductible and receive the recoverable portion once the work is complete and invoiced. If it is actual cash value, you will receive less. A contractor promising to eat your deductible is asking you to dance into insurance fraud. Do not.
Cost ranges you can trust
Pricing moves with materials and labor conditions, but ranges help planning. For architectural asphalt shingles on a typical St Louis home, full replacement often lands between the mid five figures and the high four figures depending on size and complexity. A smaller ranch with an easy pitch and single layer might run in the lower band. A two-story with multiple facets, two layers to tear off, and chimney flashing work climbs higher. Add for decking replacement if needed, typically per sheet. Ventilation upgrades, ice-and-water membrane in additional locations, and designer shingle lines add cost but deliver long-term value.
Repairs vary widely. A vent boot replacement is often a few hundred dollars. Relashing a chimney properly, including grinding a new reglet and setting counterflashing, can reach four figures, especially on tall or steep roofs. Valley rebuilds scale with length and complexity. When homeowners call roofers near me for quick patch jobs, the best ones will still insist on quality materials and safe access. That means a ladder setup that protects gutters and labor time for a clean finish.
Choosing the right roofer in St Louis
If you are vetting roofers in St Louis, ask questions that reveal method, not just price. Which underlayment do they prefer, and why for this house? How will they handle intake ventilation if your soffits are blocked? What is their process for chimney flashing on brick that is already spalling? Will they replace all pipe boots and paint them to match the roof? How do they stage a site, and how do they protect your landscaping? Listen for answers grounded in experience, not vague reassurances.
Local references matter. Conner Roofing, LLC can point to work on homes like yours, not just a highlight reel of new builds. Drive by a finished project. Look at lines, flashing terminations, and how the ridge vent runs. Good work is visible from the street. Warranty terms matter too. Manufacturer warranties are only as good as the installation quality, and labor warranties reflect the contractor’s confidence. Ask how warranty calls are handled in year four, not just month two.
What the first visit should look like
An initial visit from a reputable roofer feels like a consultation, not a pitch. Expect a careful roof walk, photos, and an attic peek if leaks are part of the discussion. If you have active moisture, a moisture meter on the sheathing tells a better story than a guess. A proposal should outline scope by system: tear-off, deck repair allowances, underlayment, ice-and-water locations, flashing plan by location, ventilation plan, shingle line and color, accessory details like ridge caps and starter strips, and cleanup. It should also include how they will handle unforeseen deck conditions, with unit pricing, so you are not negotiating on your lawn while the roof sits open.
Scheduling should be clear but flexible enough to respect weather. If you need to coordinate with a painter or gutter company, a good roofer will sequence those trades. For example, it is smarter to replace gutters after the roof to avoid bent coils during tear-off. Chimney tuckpointing should precede flashing when masonry is in rough shape, and a roofer with local ties will have a mason to recommend.
Maintenance after the new roof
A new roof is not a no-maintenance item. Keep gutters clear, especially in fall. If you have heavy tree cover, consider oversized downspouts or cleanouts. Have a roofer perform a quick check every couple of years, looking at sealant points around flashings, the condition of exposed fasteners on accessories, and ventilation components. If you install solar later, insist that your solar installer respects roofing best practices. Pre-plan wire paths, use proper standoffs, and coordinate so any penetrations are flashed with compatible materials, not just sealed.
Pets and HVAC crews sometimes access roofs for satellite adjustments or vent work. Ask them to use ladder mitts and protect the new shingles in heat. A few good habits extend roof life more than any warranty.
Why local knowledge wins
St Louis is a brick city with a wood heart. Our roof decks range from old plank sheathing, where nail placement demands attention, to modern OSB that reacts differently to heat and moisture. Our chimneys range from tight joints to crumbly lime mortar that will not hold standard anchors without care. Our neighborhoods carry their own wind patterns. I have watched storms roll across the prairie and hit the rises in south county, dumping on one subdivision and missing the next. A roofer who knows these quirks tailors details. That tailoring is what keeps the ceiling dry when the next sideways rain arrives at 3 a.m.
Conner Roofing, LLC has built a reputation by leaning into that local truth. They are not the only St Louis roofers doing strong work, but they sit in that group who combine solid technical choices with clear communication and on-site discipline. If you are typing roofers near me into a search bar, you will see plenty of names. Call a few. Ask the questions above. If Conner is on your shortlist, you will find they speak to the work the way craftsmen do, with specifics and a plan.
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A brief anecdote from a tough leak
Two winters ago, a homeowner in Shrewsbury called after three paint jobs in a single bedroom. The stain kept creeping back at the inside corner by a dormer. Another contractor had patched shingles twice without success. Up on the roof, I found a closed valley feeding the dormer sidewall, with step flashing buried under siding that had been replaced years earlier. The step flashing ran short of the high cut, and during wind-driven rain, water rode the siding plane inward. Conner Roofing, LLC rebuilt that valley with ice-and-water membrane extended well beyond the centerline, opened the valley slightly for better flow, and reset the step flashing with proper counterflashing cut into the siding. They also added a small diverter where the main roof dumped heavy water into the valley. Cost was modest compared to a replacement, and the leak has not returned through two springs and one hailstorm. That is the difference between swapping shingles and solving water.
Final guidance for homeowners
If you are staring at a water spot or a roof that looks tired, act, but do not panic. Get a real inspection. Insist on specifics. Match the solution to the problem. Sometimes the right move is a $600 boot and sealant refresh. Sometimes it is a full system replacement with ventilation rework that lowers your summer attic temps by a category. The best roofers in St Louis will guide you toward the right path, not the most expensive.
For those ready to talk through options, here is the quickest way to reach a reputable local team.
Contact Us
Conner Roofing, LLC
Address: 7950 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119, United States
Phone: (314) 375-7475
Website: https://connerroofing.com/
If you prefer a short checklist before you call, keep it simple:
- Note where the leak shows inside, including distance from exterior walls. Check your attic for wet sheathing, especially near penetrations. Look at gutters and downspouts after rain to see if they are spilling or backing up. Snap a few photos of exterior trouble spots for reference. Pull any past roof paperwork so the roofer knows shingle type and age.
Whether you need a quick fix or a new roof, a conversation with a seasoned crew will bring clarity. Conner Roofing, LLC has earned a place on that list of trusted St Louis roofers who can take you from a drip to a durable solution, without drama or shortcuts.