The roof repairs we make most often in St. Louis
- Wind-lifted and missing shingles. Severe thunderstorm gusts break the adhesive strip and tear shingles off, most often on ridges and roof edges.
- Chimney flashing leaks. Many brick homes in the city and inner-ring suburbs have original or patched chimney flashing that has shrunk, cracked or pulled away.
- Step and wall flashing. Where a roof meets a dormer or a second-story wall, failed flashing sends water behind the siding.
- Cracked pipe boots. The rubber collars around plumbing vents crack in the sun and are one of the most common small leaks we see.
- Skylight leaks, usually at the flashing kit rather than the glass.
- Valley leaks where debris or worn shingles let concentrated water through.
- Limb and storm damage from the mature trees across St. Louis County.
Repair or replace? How we decide
A repair makes sense when the damage is limited to one area and the rest of the roof still has life left: shingles lie flat, granules are intact, and the decking is sound. In that case, fixing the flashing, replacing a section of shingles or swapping a pipe boot solves the problem at a fraction of the cost of a new roof.
Replacement makes more sense when the roof is approaching the end of its life, shingles are curling or brittle across several slopes, there are repeated leaks in different places, hail has bruised shingles across the whole roof, or the decking has gone soft. Spending on repeated repairs to a worn-out roof is money that would be better put toward a new one. We will tell you honestly which side your roof is on, with photos, in writing. For more, read Do you need a roof repair?
What you can check from the ground
- Shingles that are missing, lifted, curled or a different color from the rest.
- Granules piling up in gutters or at the bottom of downspouts.
- Flashing at the chimney that looks bent, rusted or pulled away.
- Sagging rooflines or gutters pulling off the fascia.
- Inside: ceiling stains, peeling paint near the ceiling, or a musty attic.
Use binoculars from the yard. Please do not climb onto the roof — that is our job, and the inspection is free.
How a professional roof repair works
A good repair starts with finding the actual source of the leak, which is often several feet uphill from the stain on your ceiling. We inspect the roof and the attic, photograph what we find, and give you a written recommendation. The repair itself uses materials matched to your existing roof wherever possible, with flashing replaced rather than smeared over with sealant. Caulk-only “fixes” are a common reason St. Louis homeowners call us for the same leak a second time.
Matching shingles on an older roof
Shingle lines and colors change over the years, so an exact match on an older roof is not always possible. We look for the closest available line and color and place repairs where they will be least visible. When a match is not possible and a large area is damaged, that is part of the conversation about whether a repair or replacement makes more sense — and, after a storm, it can be part of an insurance discussion.
Storm damage and insurance
If hail or wind caused the damage, your homeowner’s policy may cover it. We document the damage with dated photos, provide a written report and can meet your adjuster on the roof. Remember that waiving or covering a deductible is illegal in Missouri. See our insurance claims page for how the process works.
24/7 roof repair in St. Louis
Leaks do not wait for business hours. John Beal Roofing answers 1-800-564-6232 around the clock and provides emergency tarping when water is coming in. We have been family-run since 1947, run our own crews, and carry a limited lifetime workmanship warranty. Learn more on our roof repair page.
How long a roof repair takes
Most residential roof repairs in St. Louis are completed in a few hours on a single visit once the materials are on hand. A pipe boot or a small section of wind-damaged shingles is often done the same day as the inspection or within a few days. Chimney reflashing, skylight flashing and valley repairs take longer and sometimes need materials ordered to match your roof. When water is actively coming in, we tarp or temporarily seal the area first so the inside of the home is protected while the permanent repair is scheduled. We always photograph the repair area before and after so you can see exactly what was done on a part of the house you cannot see yourself.
What a free roof inspection includes
Every inspection we do in St. Louis is free and written. A trained inspector checks the shingles slope by slope, the flashing at every chimney, wall and skylight, the pipe boots and vents, the valleys, the gutters and drip edge, and — when it is accessible — the attic for stains, damp insulation and ventilation problems. You get photos of what we found and a clear recommendation: no work needed, a repair, or replacement. There is no obligation, and if the roof is in good shape, we will tell you that too.
Simple maintenance that prevents repairs
- Keep gutters and valleys clear, especially in fall when leaves and seed pods pile up across St. Louis County.
- Trim limbs that hang over the roof or rub against shingles.
- Look at the roof from the yard after every major storm and note anything that has changed.
- Check the attic a couple of times a year for stains, damp insulation or daylight.
- Have pipe boots and chimney flashing looked at during any inspection; they fail long before the shingles do.
A free inspection every few years, and after any significant hail or wind event, catches small problems while they are still small — and small is always cheaper.
Repairs on older and historic St. Louis homes
Older homes in the city and inner-ring suburbs often have slate, tile or early asphalt roofs, original brick chimneys and built-in or box gutters. Repairs on these roofs take patience and the right materials. We match what is there as closely as possible, rebuild flashing correctly instead of covering it with tar, and tell you honestly when a section is beyond saving.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common roof repair in St. Louis?
Wind-lifted or missing shingles, failed chimney and wall flashing, and cracked plumbing pipe boots are the repairs we make most often across St. Louis.
How do I know if I need a roof repair or a new roof?
Isolated damage on an otherwise sound roof is usually a repair. Widespread curling, granule loss, hail damage, repeated leaks or soft decking usually mean replacement is the better value.
Can a roof leak be fixed with caulk?
Sealant is a temporary measure at best. Lasting leak repairs replace the failed flashing, pipe boot or shingles that caused the problem.
Do you offer emergency roof repair in St. Louis?
Yes. We answer 1-800-564-6232 24/7 and provide emergency tarping and temporary repairs to stop water until the permanent repair can be made.
Will insurance pay for my roof repair?
If a covered event such as hail, wind or a fallen tree caused the damage, your policy may cover it. Wear and tear generally is not covered. We document the damage so you and your insurer can decide.