Most roofs don’t fail overnight. They telegraph trouble through small, easy-to-miss changes that compound after a summer of high heat or a string of freeze-thaw cycles. St. Louis weather does not baby shingles. We see temperature swings that make materials expand and contract, spring downpours that find the tiniest gaps, summer UV that bakes asphalt, and the occasional straight-line wind or hail that tests every fastener on the house. If you own a home here long enough, roof replacement moves from a “someday” line item to a decision you need to make with clear eyes.
I have inspected thousands of roofs across the metro area, from South City bungalows to newer builds in St. Charles County. Some issues can be handled with targeted repairs. Others are a sign the system is at the end of its service life. The art is knowing the difference. Below are the cues I look for on St. Louis homes, why they matter, and how to think through timing, budgeting, and the right materials for our climate. I’ll also point out when calling a pro like Conner Roofing, LLC is the best next step, especially if safety or warranty questions arise.
The age of your roof and how it behaves in St. Louis
Age alone doesn’t condemn a roof, but it sets expectations. In our region, a conventional 3-tab asphalt roof installed well and ventilated properly often runs 15 to 20 years. Architectural shingles do better, landing in the 20 to 30 year range. Premium impact-resistant shingles and metal systems can outlast both. These spans assume consistent maintenance and no catastrophic storm events.
Here’s what shifts those ranges downward here. UV exposure on south and west facing slopes is intense in July and August. Asphalt loses volatiles over time, the binder dries out, and granule retention weakens. Winter freeze-thaw cycles stress sealant at flashing and along ridge caps. Then factor in roof pitch, shade, and ventilation quality. Two roofs installed the same year on the same block can behave very differently if one bakes in the sun and the other sits under mature trees trapping moisture.
If your roof is closing https://connerroofing.com/#:~:text=St%20Louis%20roofing%20contractor in on its expected age and you’re seeing more than a repair or two per year, start planning for replacement rather than waiting for a leak during a thunderstorm. You don’t want to be choosing materials with rainwater in your attic.
Shingle granules in gutters and what they tell you
Granules are not decorative. They protect the asphalt from ultraviolet light and add fire resistance. Some granule loss is normal in the first months after installation as surplus from manufacturing washes away. Later in life, heavy accumulation is a different story. When I clean gutters and find a layer of sand-like material that clogs downspouts, it signals accelerated wear.
On a St. Louis home in Princeton Heights last fall, the homeowner believed a single hailstorm caused the issue. The roof told a broader story: widespread, even granule loss on sun-baked slopes, with spots of smooth, exposed asphalt known as bald shingles. The hail didn’t help, but time and heat had already done their work. Once asphalt is exposed, UV light speeds deterioration, shingles curl at the edges, and wind gets under the tabs. Repairs become a Band-Aid. That roof was a candidate for replacement, not patching.
Curling, cupping, and cracked shingles
Heat and age cause shingles to deform. Curling shows up as edges lifting upward, while cupping looks like a concave dip in the shingle’s center. Cracking can appear across the shingle or along the tab cutouts. These forms matter because they change how shingles shed water and resist wind. Curling exposes nail heads and breaks the seal strip bond, the tar line that glues overlapping shingles together. In a Midwest thunderstorm, wind-driven rain exploits these weaknesses.
If you can see uniform curling across an entire slope, replacement is the smart call, especially when combined with granule loss. Isolated damage from a limb scrape or a failed boot around a vent stack can be repaired. Widespread deformation across multiple facets signals end-of-life.
Persistent leaks at flashings and penetrations
The most common leak points in our area are not the open fields of shingle. They are where materials meet: sidewalls, chimneys, skylights, valleys, and roof-to-wall transitions. Good flashing details matter more than the brand of shingle. I’ve seen roofs leak within the first few years because a step flashing sequence was rushed or counterflashing at a brick chimney was caulked instead of properly tucked and mortared into the masonry.
If you’ve chased the same leak through two or three heavy storms, and each repair holds for a while then fails, consider whether the underlying flashing design is flawed or corrosion has set in. Galvanized steel flashing eventually rusts. Aluminum can pit if it sat in contact with certain treated lumbers. When flashings reach their limit or a valley system is undersized for runoff, a full roof replacement lets you correct those details rather than patch around them.
Attic warnings: ventilation, mold, and insulation moisture
You learn more about a roof from the attic than from the curb. Bring a flashlight. On a cool morning after a cold night, look for nail points with frost or water droplets. That’s a condensation cue, not a roof leak, and it points to ventilation imbalance or humid air from the living space migrating into the attic. Over time, that moisture can blacken decking and encourage mold growth around the eaves where airflow is weakest.
Every replacement in St. Louis is an opportunity to right-size ventilation. I see many homes with a power fan and no clear intake at the soffits. The fan then pulls conditioned air from the house, not fresh air from outside. The formula is simple: balanced intake at the soffit with exhaust at the ridge or high gables. When we replaced a roof in Affton this spring, the attic temperature dropped by 20 to 25 degrees after we added continuous soffit vents and ridge venting. Shingles stay cooler, sealant ages slower, and winter condensation drops sharply. That’s the kind of building science fix that pays back for decades.
Sagging planes or spongy decking
Walk a roof slowly and feel the surface. Solid decking has a firm, even response underfoot. If a section feels springy, it may be rotten OSB or plywood, delamination from prolonged moisture, or an undersized span on older plank decking. From the street, you might see a subtle sag between rafters. That is not cosmetic. It points to structural support issues that want attention during replacement.
When replacing, plan for some decking repairs. I set homeowner expectations by budget line item. On older homes, 2 to 4 sheets of OSB or plywood replacement is common. If we open the roof and find more, we photograph, explain, and adjust as needed. Skipping bad decking guarantees early shingle failure and is a false savings.
Hail and wind damage, and how to read it in our market
St. Louis storms do two kinds of shingle harm. Hail can bruise or break the mat under the granules. You might not see much from the yard. Up close, a hail hit looks like a softened spot with granules knocked away, asphalt exposed, sometimes with fine cracks in a ring pattern. On newer shingles, granules may remain, masking damage that later turns into a leak. Wind damage shows as creased shingles where the wind lifted and folded the shingle back, breaking the mat, or as missing tabs.
Insurance policies treat hail and wind differently depending on your endorsements and deductible. If your neighborhood caught a confirmed hail event within the last year or two, consider a professional inspection and documentation. The right timing matters. Carriers may set claim windows. If you go through insurance and the damage is widespread, a full replacement is more likely than piecemeal repairs.
Multiple layers of roofing and the cost of deferring
We still encounter homes with two layers of shingles. Building codes typically allow two, but stacking layers traps heat, hides underlying problems, and adds weight. An overlay might save money up front, but it usually shortens shingle life and can void certain warranties. When it’s time to replace, a full tear-off is worth it. You see the decking, correct flashings, and reset the system. Every time we’ve torn off an overlay in the city, we’ve found at least some soft decking, unaddressed leaks around a chimney, or an open gap at a wall transition that no one could see with layers in the way.
Moss, algae, and tree shade
Black streaks on shingles come from a blue-green algae, common on north-facing slopes. It’s mostly cosmetic but signals moisture retention and lower sun exposure. Moss is different. It holds water against the surface, pries up shingle edges, and speeds deterioration. Heavy shade from mature oaks or maples can keep a roof wet long after the rest of the block has dried.
If the roof is otherwise healthy, you can clean algae with a low-pressure wash using a proper cleaner made for asphalt shingles. Avoid high pressure, which forces water up under shingles and scours granules. When a roof also shows age signs, replacement with algae-resistant shingles helps. Trimming branches to open up airflow and light will extend the life of any new roof.
Energy bills and comfort creep
A failing roof system shows up on your utility bill. In summer, attic temperatures in poorly vented spaces can exceed outdoor air by 40 to 60 degrees. That heat radiates into living spaces and makes the AC work harder. A client in Webster Groves saw her July electric bill drop by about 12 percent after we replaced the roof, added ridge venting, and improved soffit intake. The shingle color matters too. Darker shingles run hotter. If your home gets punishing afternoon sun and you’re sensitive to cooling costs, consider a lighter architectural shingle with high solar reflectance metrics or even a metal system with reflective coatings.
When repairs still make sense
Not every aging roof needs a full replacement. If the shingles are under 10 years old and you have an isolated problem like a puncture from a limb, a damaged boot at a plumbing vent, or a single bad flashing detail, a targeted repair done right can buy years. I advise repair when the roof still has uniform granule coverage, tabs lay flat, and the leak source is clear and limited. Repair is also wise while you plan for replacement in the next 12 to 24 months, especially if timing a refinance or budgeting around other projects.
What I caution against is repetitive patching across multiple slopes with clear age indicators. That turns into sunk cost. Roof systems fail as systems. When the field shingles, flashings, and ventilation all show stress, start planning the larger fix.
Picking materials that fit St. Louis weather and your home
Material choice is part performance, part aesthetics, and part budget. Architectural asphalt shingles remain the workhorse in our market because they balance cost with durability and come in profiles that suit our housing stock, from brick four-squares to ranches. For hail-prone pockets, an impact-resistant shingle can reduce storm claim headaches. Ask about UL 2218 Class 3 or 4 ratings. Some insurers offer premium credits for them. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s warranty language. Some hail warranties cover functional damage, others only cosmetic.
Metal roofing is a strong option when longevity tops the list. Steel or aluminum standing seam performs well through freeze-thaw cycles, sheds snow, and resists wind uplift when seamed and fastened correctly. It costs more up front, often 2 to 3 times an asphalt roof, but the life cycle can justify it if you plan to stay in the home for decades. Stone-coated steel gives a more traditional look with metal performance.
Don’t overlook underlayments and flashings. Synthetic underlayment has largely replaced felt for better tear resistance and walkability. Ice and water shield should run along eaves, valleys, and around penetrations. St. Louis is not the upper Midwest, but we do see ice dams during cold snaps after snowfalls. Properly placed membranes make a difference.
Timing your roof replacement around weather and logistics
Our busiest seasons are late spring through early fall, with windows of mild weather ideal for shingle adhesion. Modern shingles have self-seal strips that bond best in temperatures above roughly 40 to 50 degrees. You can replace a roof in winter on milder days, but windy, cold conditions make it harder to keep materials flat and fasteners sealed. Plan your project around forecast stability when possible.
Permits vary by municipality in the metro area. Good contractors handle permits, code compliance, and notice to neighbors where required. Expect a dumpster, materials staging, and one to three days of crew activity for a typical single-family roof, more if there are multiple layers to remove, complex details, or decking repairs. Protect fragile landscaping near the drip line, move cars from the driveway, and let the crew know about pets.
Budget, financing, and how to compare estimates
Pricing ranges widely based on size, pitch, access, material, and details. For a standard single-story ranch with architectural shingles, you might see quotes that span several thousand dollars. Two-story homes, steeper pitches, skylights, and complex valleys add labor. Metal systems climb further. Beware of quotes that look too low. They often hide thin underlayment, minimal ice and water shield, reusing old flashings, or skipping ventilation upgrades.
When comparing, ask for itemized scopes: tear-off or overlay, underlayment type, ice and water shield coverage, flashing replacement at walls and chimneys, ventilation plan, and decking repair cost per sheet. Confirm manufacturer credentials if you care about enhanced warranties that extend both material and workmanship coverage. Good roof replacement services will show you photos before, during, and after, not just hand you a receipt.
What a thorough inspection includes
A meaningful roof assessment covers more than a quick walk on the shingles. I start with ground and ladder views, then the attic. I check:
- Field shingles across all slopes for granule loss, deformation, hail bruising, and wind creases. Flashings at chimneys, skylights, walls, and valleys for design and condition. Penetrations like plumbing vents, furnace and water heater flues, and bath fan exhausts for correct boots and terminations. Attic insulation depth, airflow paths, moisture staining, and nail frost indicators. Decking feel underfoot and any surface variations that suggest structural issues.
That kind of inspection supports clear advice: repair, monitor, or replace. It also forms the documentation you need if you pursue an insurance claim after storm damage.
How warranties really work
Manufacturers offer material warranties measured in decades, but read the fine print. Many cover manufacturing defects, not wear from weather, installation errors, or poor ventilation. Workmanship warranties come from the installer. A roofer tied into a manufacturer program can offer extended workmanship coverage backed by the manufacturer if they use a full system of components and follow prescribed methods. Those programs matter when long-term peace of mind is a priority. Keep your contract, photos, and any registration paperwork in a safe place.
Red flags during roof work
If you move forward with a replacement, a few site habits separate pros from the rest. Crews should protect landscaping with tarps and plywood where needed, magnet-sweep for nails at day’s end, and keep the property tidy. They should replace flashings, not caulk over old ones, and show you any decking repairs. On a job in Crestwood, we paused to show the homeowner how an old furnace flue was unlined and leaking moisture. That had nothing to do with shingles but everything to do with water stains in the attic. Good roofers don’t just install, they diagnose.
When waiting costs more than doing it now
Homeowners often ask if they can squeeze one more year out of a tired roof. Sometimes yes. If leaks are manageable and you are planning a move, you might avoid the expense and negotiate at sale. But waiting has hidden costs. Repeated wetting degrades insulation R-value, rusts fasteners, stains ceilings, and can foster mold. Decking that could have been patched with a few sheets becomes a larger replacement. Insurance may balk at covering damage tied to long-term neglect. If your roof shows multiple end-of-life indicators and you plan to stay, replacement typically pencils out better than another year of chasing leaks.
Why local matters in St. Louis
St. Louis neighborhoods vary by house age, building details, and HOA restrictions. A Clifton Heights slate repair needs a different touch than a Wildwood architectural shingle replacement. Local contractors know the quirks of clay-tile sidewalls on 1920s brick, how to flash limestone chimneys without relying on caulk, and which municipalities want mid-roof inspections. They also stay through the seasons. If a spring storm exposes a weak detail on a job completed in fall, the company that knows your roof and your file is the one you want answering the phone.
Straight talk from the field
Three quick vignettes capture common forks in the road.
First, a 22-year-old architectural shingle roof in Kirkwood with uniform granule loss and curling edges, two prior leak repairs, and an attic that baked in summer. The homeowner wanted to repair a valley leak one more time. After we mapped hail hits and showed seal strip failure across windward slopes, they chose replacement. We improved ventilation, replaced bad decking at the eaves, and installed impact-resistant shingles. They haven’t called for a leak since, and their upstairs bedrooms run cooler.
Second, a 12-year-old roof in Florissant with a single leak at a bath vent. The shingles were flat and healthy. We replaced the cracked boot, added a proper flashing collar, and re-sealed a nearby nail pop. A repair was perfect here. We told them to budget for replacement in 8 to 10 years and to call after any major hail.
Third, a South City two-family with two shingle layers. The top layer looked rough, with moss on the north side. Underneath, we found rotted plank decking along the gutters and a chimney counterflashing that had been caulked to brick. The decision to tear off both layers and rebuild the details prevented a cycle of leaks into plaster ceilings that would have cost more than the roof.
How Conner Roofing, LLC approaches St. Louis roof replacement
Local expertise shows up in small choices. At Conner Roofing, LLC, we build roof systems that handle the realities of our weather. That means:
- Full tear-off to the deck, with photos and honest dialogue about any repairs. Ice and water shield at eaves, valleys, and all penetrations, not just the bare code minimum. New step and counterflashing at walls and chimneys, formed and integrated properly. Balanced ventilation by improving soffit intake and installing ridge vents where appropriate. Site protection and thorough cleanup, with magnet sweeps for nails and daily progress updates.
We pair that with clear estimates and options. If you want to compare standard architectural shingles with impact-resistant options or explore metal for a long-term investment, we lay out costs, warranties, and the pros and cons for your specific house, not a one-size answer.
Ready for an honest assessment
If your roof is approaching the end of its life, or you simply want a straight answer about whether a repair will hold, bring in a pro who will climb the roof and the attic, not just quote from the driveway. A careful inspection often pays for itself in clarity. And if you need roof replacement St Louis or roof replacement St Louis MO, align with a contractor who treats your home like a system and stands behind the work. That is how you get value beyond a new shingle color.
Contact Us
Conner Roofing, LLC
Address: 7950 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119, United States
Phone: (314) 375-7475
Website: https://connerroofing.com/
Whether you are comparing roof replacement services, navigating a storm claim, or weighing a repair against replacement, we’re here to help you make a smart, durable choice for your home.