Professional leak detection and repair for homeowners in Crystal City, Festus, Arnold, and surrounding areas
Don't panic. Most roof leaks can be repaired without replacing your entire roof. We're here to help you identify the source, prevent further damage, and restore your peace of mind.
Same-day service available • Free leak inspection • Serving Jefferson County & South St. Louis County
When you discover water dripping from your ceiling or notice moisture stains, it's natural to feel concerned. While roof leaks certainly require attention, it's important to stay calm and take appropriate steps to minimize damage while arranging for professional repair.
A roof leak isn't just about water staining your ceiling—it can quickly lead to more serious problems. Water saturates insulation, reducing its effectiveness and adding weight to your ceiling structure. Drywall absorbs moisture and can begin to sag or crumble. Within 24-48 hours, mold can begin growing in damp areas, creating health concerns and more extensive remediation needs.
The good news: most roof leaks can be repaired without replacing your entire roof. Quick action to identify and fix the source prevents these secondary problems and typically costs far less than dealing with extensive interior damage.
Immediately: Water begins saturating insulation and ceiling materials
24-48 hours: Mold can begin growing in damp areas
1 week: Drywall may begin to deteriorate and sag
2+ weeks: Structural wood can begin rotting if moisture persists
This is why we recommend scheduling an inspection as soon as you notice any signs of a leak.
Roof leaks don't always announce themselves with obvious dripping. Sometimes the signs are subtle. Here's what to watch for in your home:
Brown or yellowish rings on your ceiling, especially after rain. These stains may appear in rooms below the roof or along exterior walls.
Water actively dripping from your ceiling during or shortly after rainfall. The drip location may not be directly under the leak source.
Paint bubbling, wallpaper peeling, or drywall that feels soft or spongy to the touch—signs of moisture absorption.
If you can safely access your attic, wet insulation or dark spots on insulation indicate water intrusion from above.
A persistent musty smell, especially in rooms near the roof or in your attic, often indicates hidden moisture or mold growth.
From your attic, if you can see daylight through the roof decking, you have openings where water can enter during rain.
Important: Water often travels along rafters or through insulation before dripping into your living space. The location where you see water inside may be several feet away from where it's actually entering through the roof. This is why professional leak detection is valuable—we find the actual source, not just where water appears.
If you've discovered a leak, here are the immediate steps to take to minimize damage while you arrange for professional repair:
If you have an active leak and need immediate assistance, call us. We provide same-day service for emergency situations in Crystal City, Festus, Arnold, and surrounding Jefferson County areas.
Call (314) 219-0575Understanding what commonly causes roof leaks helps homeowners recognize potential problems early. In our service area around Crystal City and Jefferson County, these are the most frequent culprits:
Missouri's severe weather—including high winds, hail, and heavy rainfall—is a leading cause of roof leaks. Storms can lift shingles, damage flashing, or drive rain under roof edges. After any significant storm in the area, it's wise to have your roof inspected even if you don't see obvious damage from the ground.
Storm-related damage is typically covered by homeowner's insurance. We can help document damage for insurance claims.
Shingles that have blown off, cracked, or deteriorated create openings where water can penetrate. Sometimes only a few shingles are affected, making the problem easy to miss from ground level but allowing significant water entry during rain. Wind damage often affects edge shingles and ridge caps first.
Flashing—the metal strips that seal roof valleys, chimneys, and wall intersections—can separate, rust, or deteriorate over time. When flashing fails, water easily finds its way into your home. Chimney flashing is a particularly common leak point in older homes.
Plumbing vent pipes that extend through your roof are sealed with rubber or plastic boots. Over time, Missouri's temperature extremes cause these boots to crack and deteriorate. When boots fail, water runs directly down the pipe into your home—one of the easiest leaks to fix if caught early.
Any penetration through your roof—vents, skylights, exhaust fans—creates potential leak points if not properly sealed and maintained. Sealants dry out and crack over time, and flashing around these features can separate or deteriorate.
Asphalt shingles typically last 20-25 years, but Missouri's climate can accelerate aging. As shingles approach the end of their lifespan, they become brittle, curl, and lose protective granules. These aging materials eventually allow water to penetrate, even without obvious storm damage.
During winter, ice dams can form when snow melts on the warmer upper portions of your roof, then refreezes at the colder eaves. This ice blocks proper drainage and can force water back up under shingles, causing leaks. Poor attic insulation and ventilation contribute to ice dam formation.
Finding the actual source of a roof leak often requires detective work. Water can travel along rafters, through insulation, and across your attic before appearing inside your home. Here's how we systematically identify the problem:
We start by examining the interior damage—where you see water stains or active dripping. This gives us clues about where to look on the roof itself.
We examine your attic to trace water paths, inspect insulation for moisture, check roof decking from below, and look for the entry point. Often we can follow water stains on rafters or decking back to the source.
We carefully inspect your roof from the surface, examining shingles, flashing, penetrations, and valleys in the area above where leaks appear. We check for obvious damage and subtle signs of failure.
We photograph all damage we find—both interior and exterior. This documentation serves as a record for you and supports insurance claims if the damage qualifies for coverage.
We explain what we found, what's causing the leak, what repairs are needed, and provide an honest estimate. If repairs are minor, we'll tell you. If more extensive work is needed, we'll explain why and present your options clearly.
This is one of the first questions homeowners ask when dealing with a roof leak, and it's a valid concern. The good news: most leaks can be repaired without replacing your entire roof. Complete replacement is only necessary when damage is extensive or your roof is near the end of its expected lifespan.
Here's how we approach this decision:
We provide honest recommendations based on what's best for your situation, not what generates the most revenue for us. If your roof can be repaired effectively and will provide years more service, we'll tell you that. If replacement makes more sense given your roof's age and condition, we'll explain why and help you understand your options.
Many homeowners throughout Crystal City, Festus, and the surrounding Jefferson County area have been pleasantly surprised to learn their leak requires only minor repairs costing hundreds of dollars rather than thousands for replacement. Our reputation depends on being straightforward about what you actually need.
Whether your roof leak qualifies for insurance coverage depends on what caused the damage. Understanding this helps you know when to file a claim and what documentation you'll need.
If your leak appears to be caused by storm damage or another covered event, we can assist with your insurance claim:
Note: We work for you, not your insurance company. Our goal is to ensure you receive fair coverage for necessary repairs to restore your roof's integrity.
STL Roofing Pros is based in Crystal City, Missouri, allowing us to respond quickly to roof leak emergencies throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding area. When you discover a leak, time matters—both for preventing additional water damage and for your peace of mind. Our local presence means we can typically schedule inspections within 1-2 business days for non-emergency situations, and often the same day for urgent leaks.
We regularly serve homeowners in these communities:
Don't see your area listed? We serve the broader Jefferson County and South St. Louis County region. Call us to confirm availability in your location.
Same-day service available for emergency leaks. Most inspections scheduled within 1-2 days.
We understand how Missouri weather affects roofs in our area and what problems are most common.
As a local contractor, we're here for warranty service and follow-up—not just a one-time repair.