Most leaks in Cape start in one of five places
When we trace a leak on a Cape Girardeau house, the shingles themselves are rarely the first thing to fail. The usual culprits are the pieces that seal the gaps:
- Pipe boots. The rubber collar around plumbing vents cracks after years of summer sun, and water runs down the pipe into the ceiling below.
- Chimney flashing. Brick chimneys on older homes near downtown and Broadway often have caulked or face-nailed flashing that pulls loose instead of step and counter flashing.
- Valleys. Two roof planes dump water into one channel. Leaves from big yard trees pile up there and hold water against the shingles.
- Wind-lifted shingles. Storm lines coming up the Mississippi valley break the seal strip, and the next rain gets underneath.
- Ice dams at the eaves. During a freeze-thaw week, meltwater backs up behind ice at the gutter line and seeps in over exterior walls.
Repair or replace? We'll tell you straight
If your roof has years left, a repair is the right call and that's what we'll quote. We photograph the problem area and the rest of the roof so you can see why we're recommending a repair, or why patching an old roof would just push the next leak somewhere else. If the shingles are curling, granules are piling up in the gutters, or there are already two layers on the house, we'll show you that too.
Emergency leaks, day or night
A leak doesn't wait for business hours. Our phone is answered 24/7, and when water is coming into a Cape Girardeau home we schedule emergency tarping or a temporary seal to stop the damage, then come back for a permanent repair once the weather clears.
What a repair visit includes
- A walk of the full roof, not just the spot you called about
- An attic check for wet decking, stained rafters and ventilation problems
- Photos of every problem we find
- A written price before any work starts
- Matching shingles as closely as the current product lines allow
Rental and university-area properties
Plenty of the homes around Southeast Missouri State are rentals. We can schedule repairs around tenants, send landlords photos from the roof, and quote several addresses in one visit.
How we track down a leak
The stain on your ceiling is rarely directly under the hole in the roof. Water runs along the top of the decking, down a rafter or along a pipe before it drips through drywall. We start in the attic when we can get to it, looking for wet wood, dark nail tips and water trails, then go on the roof above that spot and work uphill. Any flashing, boot, vent or seam in the path gets checked. If we can't find the source on the first visit, we'll tell you that instead of guessing and charging for a patch that doesn't fix anything.
Repairs we make most often
- Replacing cracked pipe boots with new boots or lead flashing
- Rebuilding chimney flashing with step flashing and a counter-flashing reglet cut into the brick
- Re-sealing or replacing exhaust vents, box vents and turbines
- Replacing wind-damaged shingles and re-securing ridge caps
- Opening and rebuilding leaking valleys
- Replacing rotted decking at the eaves where gutters have overflowed
- Repairing skylight curbs and flashing
The weather we repair after
In Cape Girardeau, repair calls spike in a predictable pattern. Spring storms bring wind-lifted shingles and hail-damaged vents. Midsummer heat cracks old boots and dried-out sealant. Fall leaves clog valleys and gutters, and winter freeze-thaw cycles and ice dams push water in at the eaves. Knowing that pattern helps us check the right places on every visit.
When a repair isn't the right answer
We'll recommend a replacement instead of a repair when the problem is the whole roof, not one spot:
- Shingles are curling, cracking or missing granules across several slopes
- There are already two layers and the decking is soft
- Leaks keep showing up in new places
- The roof is near the end of its rated life and a repair would cost a large share of a new roof
Either way, you'll see the photos and decide for yourself.
Working on older Cape homes
Historic homes near downtown often have slate-style accents, built-in box gutters and brick chimneys that need patience to repair without causing new damage. We take the time to lift and re-lay surrounding shingles properly instead of just smearing sealant over the problem.
Fast photos for out-of-town owners
Not everyone who owns a home in Cape Girardeau lives nearby. Adult children managing a parent's house, owners of inherited properties and investors who live out of state can't always meet us at the property. We can inspect with you on the phone, text or email photos of every problem, and send a written repair price, so you can approve the work without making the drive.
Our Cape Girardeau office
294 Siemers Dr. #1041, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 · 573-343-8993, answered 24/7. See the Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri page for every town we serve locally.
Other roofing services in Cape Girardeau
- Roofing contractor in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Roof replacement in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Storm and hail damage repair in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Gutters in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Residential roofing in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Commercial roofing in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Roof insurance claims in Cape Girardeau, MO
Nearby towns we serve
Jackson · Scott City · Sikeston · Perryville · Chaffee · Oak Ridge · Benton · Marble Hill
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roof repair cost in Cape Girardeau?
It depends on what failed and how much of the roof is affected. We inspect for free and give you a written price before any work starts.
Can you come out tonight if my roof is leaking?
Yes. Calls to 573-343-8993 are answered 24/7, and we schedule emergency tarping or a temporary seal to stop active leaks.
Can you match my existing shingles?
We match as closely as current product lines allow. If your shingle has been discontinued, we'll show you the closest options before we start.
Will a repair void my roof's warranty?
Repairs done to manufacturer installation standards shouldn't affect your material warranty. We install to those standards on every job.
Do you repair roofs in Jackson and Scott City too?
Yes. The Cape office handles repairs in Jackson, Scott City, Chaffee, Benton, Sikeston, Oak Ridge, Perryville and Marble Hill.
Why does my roof only leak in heavy rain or wind?
Wind-driven rain gets under lifted shingles and loose flashing that hold up fine in a gentle rain. That usually points to flashing or a broken seal strip.
Is roof sealant a permanent fix?
No. Sealant is a temporary measure. A permanent repair replaces the failed boot, flashing or shingles.
Do you check the attic during a repair?
Yes, when it's accessible. Wet decking, stained rafters and ventilation problems often show up there first.