Roof repair that starts with finding the real problem

Where we look first

Water can run along decking and rafters before it shows up inside, so the stain is a clue, not an answer. We start where the roof changes direction or something passes through it. FEMA’s roofing guidance stresses that flashing at vents, chimneys, exhaust caps, dormers and skylights has to be installed correctly and integrated with the shingles and underlayment to keep water out.

• Valleys, where two slopes meet and water concentrates
• Chimneys, skylights, dormers and sidewalls
• Plumbing vents, exhaust caps and other penetrations
• Eaves, rakes and ridge, where wind gets its first grip

Repairs and the code

A repair usually does not have to bring your whole roof up to today’s code. The re-roofing guides from O’Fallon and St. Peters both say that when only part of a roof covering needs repair, the repair can match existing conditions.

Bigger work is different. St. Peters, for example, requires a permit once a job replaces over a quarter of the roof sheathing, so a repair that grows can change the paperwork. Your city’s building department has the final word, and rules change.

When a storm caused it

Hail or wind damage may belong in an insurance claim rather than a patch. The state insurance department’s advice is to cover openings so the damage does not spread, keep your receipts, and leave permanent repairs for after the insurance company has seen the damage, since a claim might be denied otherwise. We can photograph everything and walk you through the options first.