What a good roof repair includes
Found on the roof, not from the driveway
Most leaks are a failed pipe boot, a lifted shingle tab or flashing that has separated from a wall or chimney, and none of those show from the ground. A repair starts with someone on the roof finding the failure.
Fixed at the cause
A dab of sealant over a flashing gap is a stopgap. A proper repair re-sets the flashing, replaces the boot, or re-nails and re-seals the course.
Matched, not patched
Replacement shingles should match the manufacturer and colour on your roof, and be worked into the surrounding courses rather than laid on top of them.
Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
Lucas Construction is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. If an inspection shows the roof needs more than a repair, the replacement conversation should start from what was actually found on it.
Common roof repairs in St. Charles County
Wind is the usual culprit around Wentzville, O’Fallon and Lake St. Louis. A spring front lifts a few tabs on the windward slope, the seal strip breaks, and the next heavy rain drives water under the course. Hail can leave bruises that do not leak on day one but open up later. Pipe boots crack after enough freeze-thaw winters. Chimney and wall flashing pulls away as the house settles.
None of those need a new roof. They need the exact failure found on the roof and fixed properly. If the shingles are worn out across the slope, a repair will not solve it, and the roof replacement conversation should start with what was actually found.
What a repair should cover
- Where the water is showing and when it started: have it ready when you call
- An inspection of the damaged area and the slopes around it
- A written quote for the repair, and a straight answer if the roof needs more than a repair
- Shingles matched, flashing and boots re-set, and debris cleared when the repair is done
Common questions
How do I know if my roof needs a repair or a full replacement?
A repair makes sense when the damage is local: a few lifted or missing shingles, a failed pipe boot, flashing that has pulled away from a chimney or wall. If the shingles are at the end of their life across the whole slope, patching one section only moves the next leak a few feet over. Which one it is should be decided on the roof, not from the ground, and the recommendation and quote should be in writing.
Why is the leak not where the stain is on my ceiling?
Water rarely comes through the roof where it shows up inside; it runs along rafters and decking first. A leak is traced from the stain back up to the entry point, and the flashing, boots, valleys and nail pops around it are checked, so the repair addresses the cause rather than the symptom.
Will the new shingles match my existing roof?
Replacement shingles are matched to the manufacturer, profile and colour as closely as current products allow. On a roof that has faded over the years, a new section can look slightly different from the shingles around it.
What should I do if water is coming in after a storm?
Move what you can away from the drip, catch the water, and call us on (636) 459-9328. If the damage came from hail or wind it may be an insurance claim rather than a repair bill; our storm damage page explains how that works.
Was it a storm?
Hail or wind damage may be an insurance claim rather than a repair bill. See how storm damage and insurance claims work.