St. Louis roofs live a hard life. Freeze-thaw cycles can split shingles, spring storms rip at flashing, and humid summers push ventilation to its limit. After two decades walking roofs from Shrewsbury to South County, I’ve learned that a good roofing partner matters as much as the material you choose. Conner Roofing, LLC has built its name in this climate by showing up, explaining options plainly, and doing the little things that keep a roof tight between seasons. If you’re weighing repairs, a full replacement, or just wondering whether that ceiling stain is a fluke, use this guide to understand what matters in the St. Louis market and where Conner Roofing’s services fit.
How St. Louis Weather Shapes Roofing Decisions
A roof here must handle heavy rain in April, hail in May, 95-degree August afternoons, and an ice crust in January. Asphalt shingles expand and contract constantly. Nails work a hair loose, then wind lifts edges. Gutters clog with maple seeds, overflow, and drench fascia. The Mississippi Valley also brings fast-moving storms with crosswinds that find weak points. If a roof is marginal, you find out the first spring squall.
The other piece is age. Most three-tab shingles installed 15 to 20 years ago are at or beyond life expectancy. Architectural shingles last longer, typically 20 to 30 years, but only with solid ventilation and clean drainage. Too many St. Louis roofs were built with minimal intake or blocked soffits, which cooks the deck and accelerates granule loss. If you’re hunting for trouble signs, start with the attic. A hot, stuffy attic in winter often means starved intake, and that shows up on the roof as brittle shingles and nail pops.
Conner Roofing’s repair and inspection process accounts for these local realities. They don’t simply look for missing tabs. They check the ventilation path, inspect flashing at sidewalls and chimneys, and pay attention to the gutter line where ice forms first. That broader lens usually saves a return trip.
What Conner Roofing, LLC Brings to the Table
Conner Roofing positions itself as a full-service residential contractor in St. Louis, with an emphasis on customer communication and detail work. On projects I’ve observed, they use manufacturer-approved installation methods, document problem areas with photos, and give homeowners a range of options based on budget and urgency. When a fix can reasonably extend life, they say so. When the roof is at end of life, they’ll show you why.
Their crews are comfortable with steep pitches common in older neighborhoods as well as low-slope transitions where porch roofs meet main roofs. Those transitions are where many leaks begin. I’ve seen Conner crews lift shingles to rework step flashing properly rather than smearing sealant and calling it good. That kind of habit buys a roof years.
Roof Repairs: When a Fix Makes Sense
Many St. Louis roofs can be nursed through several more seasons with targeted repairs. The trick is addressing the cause, not just the symptom. If you have a leak at a vent stack, replacing the boot fixes the immediate problem, but if the underlayment is rotten at the eave, water will find its way back in.
Common repair scenarios that Conner Roofing services handle routinely include:
- Hail bruising and minor wind damage. After a spring cell, you might see a peppering of granule loss or a few lifted shingles. A careful patch with color-matched shingles and sealed nails can bring the field back to spec, provided bruising hasn’t crushed the mat across large areas. Chimney and sidewall flashing failures. Older homes with brick chimneys often suffer from degraded counterflashing or failed mortar joints. Proper repairs include step flashing under the shingles, counterflashing cut into the mortar, and new sealant — not just a bead of tar. Pipe boots and penetrations. UV destroys rubber. On roofs older than 8 to 10 years, expect at least a couple of brittle boots. Replacing boots and sealing fasteners is a straightforward, high-value repair. Nail pops and ridge vent issues. Temperature swings push nails up. A good repair removes the fastener, re-drives or replaces it correctly, dabs sealant where appropriate, and checks the ridge vent for warping or loose fasteners. Eave rot and gutter apron gaps. Water wicks under the first course of shingles when a gutter apron is missing or bent. Replacing the apron and any compromised decking stops recurring drips at the interior wall line.
Two rules of thumb guide repair decisions. First, if widespread granule loss exposes the asphalt across slopes, patching buys little time. Second, if leaks appear in multiple unrelated areas, the roof has systemic issues like underlayment failure or worn-out shingles, and replacement becomes the better investment.
Roof Replacement: Materials, Methods, and Worthwhile Upgrades
When it’s time for a new roof, the right specification matters more than the brand name on the bundle. Conner Roofing typically installs laminated architectural shingles rated for wind and algae resistance, adds ice and water shield where it’s needed, and specifies ridge ventilation that matches the roof’s intake. Those choices directly affect service life.
Material tiers. Three-tab shingles are rare now in quality re-roofs because they don’t handle wind or hail as well. Architectural shingles are the baseline for most St. Louis homes, with thicker designer profiles available for aesthetic or HOA reasons. Impact-resistant shingles can make sense if your area sees frequent hail, but only if your insurer offers a premium credit. Without that, the cost premium sometimes outweighs the benefit.
Underlayment and ice shield. St. Louis straddles the line for aggressive ice dam protection. We don’t see the prolonged subzero spells of northern states, but ice at the eave shows up most winters. A smart specification includes peel-and-stick ice and water shield along the eaves, valleys, and around penetrations, plus a synthetic underlayment elsewhere. The key is continuous coverage https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/users/ConnerRoofing21/ at the eaves that reaches at least 24 inches inside the warm wall line.
Ventilation. I’ve seen new roofs fail in 12 to 15 years because the attic couldn’t breathe. A balanced system pairs ridge vent exhaust with sufficient soffit intake. If your home has blocked or painted-over soffit vents, ask Conner to open them up and, if needed, add baffles to keep insulation from choking the channels. On hip roofs with limited ridge, a low-profile roof vent array may be necessary. Avoid mixing power vents and ridge vents without a plan, or one will short-circuit the other.
Flashing. This is the detail that separates a roof that lasts from one that leaks at year three. Reusing old flashing can be acceptable on simple pipe penetrations if the metal is sound, but sidewall and chimney areas deserve new step and counterflashing. Pay attention to skylights. Many leak not because the skylight failed, but because the installer skipped the manufacturer’s flashing kit. Conner’s crews follow kit specs and seal all fasteners, a discipline that pays off when the first storm hits.
Deck repairs. Any soft or delaminated sheathing must be replaced, not bridged. You can feel spongy areas underfoot. Good crews mark and replace panels, then reset nails at proper spacing. It’s routine, but it matters for shingle hold and wind resistance.
Gutters and trim. A full replacement is the time to address gutter slope, add larger downspouts where needed, and install a proper drip edge and gutter apron. Many “mystery leaks” at interior corners vanish when gutters actually drain and water can’t wick back under the shingles.
Inspections: What a Thorough Assessment Looks Like
A meaningful inspection covers the roof surface, flashings, penetrations, attic conditions, and drainage. Conner Roofing’s inspections typically include photo documentation and a prioritized list of issues. Here’s what a thorough inspection should encompass, whether post-storm, pre-sale, or for routine maintenance.
Exterior. Inspect shingle fields for granule loss, creases, and lifted edges. Check ridges and hips for cracked caps. At valleys, look for missing or exposed nails and debris dams. At chimneys and sidewalls, lift a shingle course to confirm step flashing exists and is correctly lapped. Examine vents, satellite mount penetrations, and any abandoned fastener holes.
Attic. Scan for daylight where it shouldn’t be, water staining on decking, and dark streaks that suggest prolonged moisture. Measure or estimate intake and exhaust airflow. Look for matted insulation at the eaves that signals blocked soffits. Winter inspections reveal frost on nails if ventilation is poor.
Gutters and downspouts. Check for standing water, loose hangers, and undersized outlets. Overflow marks on fascia indicate chronic issues. In older neighborhoods with mature trees, expect seasonal cleanouts or invest in guards that won’t trap shingle grit.
Documentation. A good report explains severity and timing. For instance, “Replace two cracked pipe boots this month” versus “Monitor minor hail bruising on the north slope; reassess after winter.” That clarity helps you plan.
Insurance Claims After Storms: Navigating Without Headaches
Spring hail and straight-line winds bring out every kind of contractor, from pros to pop-ups. Conner Roofing works within the insurance process regularly, which matters when you’re staring at a claims number and wondering what’s next. The right sequence makes life easier.
Call for an inspection before filing if you’re unsure of damage. A credible roofer will tell you whether a claim is warranted. If it is, document everything with photos and dates. When the adjuster visits, have your contractor present if possible. They speak the same language on line items like starter courses, ridge cap types, and waste factors.
Expect replacement if hail damage is widespread across multiple slopes or if wind creases shingles beyond repair. Expect repair when damage is truly isolated. Some policies carry cosmetic exclusions for metal roofs but not for shingles. Deductibles in our region commonly range from a flat amount to a percentage of dwelling coverage. Understand yours before you sign anything. Conner’s staff will usually review your scope and compare it to manufacturer requirements to ensure items like ice shield, drip edge, and flashing are properly included.
Be wary of promises to “eat your deductible.” In Missouri, that can cross into insurance fraud territory. A legitimate contractor might offer upgrades or small discounts, but any significant rebate tied to the deductible is a red flag.
What a Typical Project Timeline Looks Like
On a straightforward single-family home, repair visits are often scheduled within a few days in fair weather. Full replacements move faster than most homeowners expect once materials are on site. After contract and color selection, you’re usually looking at a one to three week lead time, depending on season and supply. Tear-off and installation often finish in one to two days for average footprints, adding a day if decking repairs or complex flashing is involved.
Site protection matters. Crews should tarp landscaping and set magnetic sweepers to collect nails. Good crews keep a clean site during tear-off, which helps prevent shingle debris from damaging siding or getting into shrub beds. Conner’s teams I’ve seen do a walk-around with the homeowner at the end, checking downspouts, driveways, and flower beds for stray fasteners.
Cost Ranges and Value Drivers
Pricing varies with roof complexity, access, waste, and material selection. In the St. Louis area, architectural asphalt re-roofs on typical single-story homes often land in the mid to high teens per square (a “square” is 100 square feet) installed, sometimes higher for steep or cut-up roofs. Two-story homes with multiple dormers, extensive flashing, or decking replacement push that number upward. Impact-rated shingles add a premium, which can be partially offset by an insurance discount if your carrier offers one.
Repairs range widely. A simple pipe boot swap is a modest ticket. Reflashing a brick chimney with counterflashing cut into mortar, replacing adjacent shingles, and sealing the crown is a bigger day’s work. Ask for an itemized estimate so you can see labor versus materials. It’s normal for quality roofers to charge for diagnostic time if the leak source is complex, especially on intricate multi-slope roofs.
Value isn’t only in the price per square. Look for upgraded underlayments, correct starter and ridge components, stainless or hot-dipped fasteners where specified, and detailed flashing. These are relatively small line items that dramatically affect durability.
Maintenance Habits That Extend Roof Life
Homeowners have more control than they realize over how long a roof lasts. The best roofs fail early when gutters clog and ventilation suffocates. A few habits go a long way:
- Keep gutters clean, especially in spring seed-drop and fall leaf season. Water that can’t leave the roof will find a way inside. Watch the attic in peak seasons. A quick look after the first freeze or first heat wave can reveal ventilation issues before they damage the deck. Trim branches that scrape shingles or dump heavy debris in valleys. Abrasion removes granules. Debris dams water where it shouldn’t sit. Schedule a roof check after any hail or wind event you’d describe as “rough.” Early patching prevents widespread damage. Replace failing sealants and boots proactively. A $200 fix today can prevent a $2,000 drywall repair five months from now.
These tasks align with how Conner Roofing structures its service calls. They prefer to catch problems small, and they’ll note recurring issues they see given your yard’s tree line and house orientation.
How to Evaluate Bids and Choose the Right Roofer
Apples-to-apples comparisons are hard when one bid lists three lines and another describes a system. Ask every bidder to specify shingle make and model, underlayment types, ice and water shield locations, ventilation plan, flashing approach, and disposal methods. Require proof of insurance and, if relevant, certifications with the manufacturer whose shingles you’re buying. Manufacturer certifications can improve warranty coverage on workmanship.
Visit a current jobsite if you can. Organization and cleanliness on-site often mirror attention to detail on the roof. Ask how they handle decking surprises. Quality contractors will have a per-sheet price and a clear process for homeowner approval when rot shows up. Ask about rain days and how they stage tear-offs to avoid exposure overnight. A good crew won’t strip more than they can dry-in the same day.
Conner Roofing’s proposals typically spell out these elements and include photos with notes from the inspection. That transparency reduces miscommunication and helps homeowners make informed choices.
A Few Edge Cases Worth Considering
Flat or low-slope sections. Many older South City homes have a flat porch tie-in to a pitched main roof. These should receive a membrane system or a modified bitumen at the flat area rather than shingles pushed below minimum slope. Conner’s crews will transition to a low-slope product in those zones, then shingle above, which prevents chronic leaks at the seam.
Historic districts and HOA constraints. Color and profile can be restricted. Lead times may be longer for special-order colors. Work with a roofer who can provide samples and documentation for approvals. Conner’s office team is used to handling submittals when needed.
Skylights. If your skylights are older than the shingles, replacing them during a re-roof often costs less than revisiting them later. Flashing kits integrate best at install time. If they’re in good shape and within their warranty window, a reseal with new flashing may suffice. Conner will typically give you both options with honest pros and cons.
Solar readiness. If you plan to add panels within a couple of years, discuss layout with the roofer. Blocking out dedicated pathways for solar mounting can reduce future penetrations. Some homeowners install a conduit chase during the re-roof to make the eventual solar run cleaner.
A Field Note on Quality Control
The most common avoidable failure I see isn’t a bad shingle. It’s a missed nail line or under-driven fasteners. Nails placed too high on the shingle miss the double-thickness bond area and reduce wind resistance. Under-driven nails hold the shingle away from the deck and invite wind to lift the tab. Good crews carry a coil gun but keep a hammer handy to set nails flush, not sunk. Supervisors check these details at the start of a job and midstream. Conner’s foremen do spot checks and correct gun pressure when the day heats up, which keeps nail depth consistent.
Another frequent failure is sealed-over step flashing. When a roofer leaves old step flashing in place and buries it under cement, it looks tidy on day one and leaks by the first big thaw. Properly layered metal flashing with a counterflashing cut into masonry outlasts any bead of goop. Demand the metal. Accept sealant only as a supplement, never a substitute.
Warranty Reality
Manufacturer warranties on shingles have ballooned in marketing terms, but the real protection comes from workmanship coverage and following the installation specs. A “lifetime” shingle doesn’t mean you’ll get a new roof at year 28 if it wears out normally. Workmanship warranties from the contractor typically range from 5 to 10 years, and enhanced manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage may require using a full system of components and certified installers. Ask what triggers warranty eligibility. Conner Roofing can offer upgraded warranties when a full system is specified, and they’ll register those after completion. Keep your paperwork and a few jobsite photos with your house records.
When to Call and What to Ask
If you notice interior staining, granules piling at downspouts, or shingles that curl at the edges, it’s time for an inspection. After a significant storm, call sooner. When you talk to the office, have a few details ready: roof age if known, number of stories, any skylights or chimneys, and photos if you have them. Ask for a written report with photos, a prioritized punch list, and an estimate that separates must-do repairs from improvements.
Conner Roofing’s team communicates well by phone and email, and they’ll set expectations for timing based on weather and workload. If you’re comparing multiple bids, ask them to walk you through differences in materials and methods so you can make a fair comparison.
Results You Can Feel on Day One
A good roof feels different immediately. The house is quieter in rain. The attic smells neutral rather than woody and damp. Gutters move water instead of spilling it. HVAC runs more evenly once the attic temperature stabilizes. These are the everyday benefits that don’t make marketing brochures but matter to how your home lives. When a contractor like Conner Roofing pairs solid materials with careful installation and clear communication, those benefits show up fast and last.
Contact details for Conner Roofing, LLC
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 need a small repair or a full replacement, a conversation with a knowledgeable roofer clarifies the path forward. Conner Roofing services St. Louis and surrounding communities with inspections, repairs, and replacements tailored to our climate. If you need immediate help after a storm or just want a second set of eyes before winter, their team is a reliable starting point.