Homeowners in St. Louis learn to read the sky. Long spring squalls can turn into sideways rain in minutes, and the freeze-thaw cycle works like a wedge under shingles and flashing. A roof that seemed fine in October can surprise you with a ridge leak by March. That is the reality on both sides of the river, from Shrewsbury and Affton to the older brick blocks in South City. Reliability is not a slogan here, it is the difference between a quick patch and interior repairs that spiral.
Conner Roofing, LLC operates in that reality every day. If you have searched roofers near me and wound up comparing a dozen names, the question is not who has a nice truck wrap. It is who shows up when the barometer drops, who explains why your valley keeps leaking, and who will still be around to honor a workmanship warranty. After years of walking steep St. Louis roofs and hearing the same homeowner worries repeat, I have a clear view of what matters and how Conner Roofing stacks up among roofers in St Louis.
What trust looks like in roofing, the St. Louis version
Trust in a roofing contractor is not abstract. I measure it in specific behaviors: how they diagnose, how they price, how they handle surprises, and how they stand behind the job months later. In this market, two practical realities shape the job. First, our architecture is varied and old. You can look down a single block in Lindenwood Park and see three roof types: 1920s Tudor with slate accents, 1950s ranch with an original low-slope porch tie-in, and a two-story with a dormer that was added in the 1970s. Second, the weather punishes weak details. Flashing at chimneys and sidewalls fails before shingles do. Ridge ventilation gets blocked by insulation blown in over the years. Ice dams are rare but not unheard of along the river-facing neighborhoods.
When a roofer understands those patterns, the conversation changes. Instead of a generic pitch, you get an explanation of how your stepped brick chimney needs reglet flashing cut into the mortar, or why a high-profile ridge cap will help a wind-swept ridge near Carondelet Park. Conner Roofing’s crews and estimators speak that language. I have watched them climb a roof, take a few photos, and point out the exact seam where two additions meet, then show how water is tracking. That kind of attention pays for itself.
From inspection to estimate, without the runaround
If you have never hired a roofer, the process can feel opaque. A good one slows it down. Conner Roofing follows a sequence that checks the right boxes without wasting time. The initial visit is not a five-minute glance. Expect a ladder inspection when safe, attic check if accessible, and photos of anything that warrants a closer look: lifted shingles on the windward slope, granule loss in the scuppers, a nail line that is too high on the course below a ridge, or a flashing cut that is too shallow in a mortar joint. They will also check ventilation. Many St. Louis roofs still rely on gable vents and a couple of turtle vents. With our humidity, that setup can trap heat and moisture, baking the deck in August and feeding condensation in January.
An estimate from a professional should be readable. Conner’s proposals separate labor, materials, and accessories in plain terms. There is a line for underlayment type, a line for ice and water shield in valleys, a note on drip edge, and detail on ridge vent or static vents. If skylights or chimneys are in the mix, you will see whether flashing is reused, repaired, or replaced. That level of clarity reduces change orders. Could you squeeze a lower price by cutting corners on a component? Maybe. Should you? Only if you like paying twice. Skipping ice shield at the eaves or valleys in our climate is a false economy, particularly on north-facing slopes shaded by trees.
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Pricing is sensitive, and it varies by roof size, pitch, and complexity. For a mid-sized St. Louis home with two layers to tear off, architectural shingles, new flashing, and proper ventilation, homeowners commonly see proposals that fall into the five-figure range, sometimes high four figures for simpler footprints. If you see a number that is much lower, dig into what is missing. If it is much higher, ask what is included that others left out. Conner Roofing will walk that comparison with you without the high-pressure close.
Materials that fit our climate and housing stock
St. Louis neighborhoods are proud of their character. Matching materials and profiles matters. Architectural asphalt shingles dominate, and for good reason. They balance cost, wind rating, curb appeal, and warranty strength. The better lines carry 110 to 130 mph wind ratings, with upgrades that add a nail strip for better pull-through resistance. After that windstorm two summers back flipped shingles like cards across St. Charles and parts of South County, those ratings are not academic.
For a brick two-story in Tower Grove with a steep main roof and a shallow rear addition, I have seen Conner specify an architectural shingle on the main slopes with a modified bitumen membrane or a self-adhered low-slope system on the rear tie-in. That prevents the classic problem of shingles laid too shallow, which will eventually wick and leak. On older homes with slate accents, they do not pretend a shingle is a slate. They will either repair slate properly or, if a replacement is necessary, propose a composite slate from recognized manufacturers, making sure the weight is appropriate for the deck and framing.
Under the surface, details make or break performance. Synthetic underlayment resists tearing in our wind, but it is not a cure-all. Ice and water shield belongs in valleys, around chimneys, and along eaves where the drip edge meets the gutter apron. Drip edge should be color matched and installed above the underlayment at the rake, below at the eave, with the apron integrated so runoff does not find a seam. Conner’s crews take those details seriously. You will see the foreman double-checking valley cuts and fastening patterns, not because it looks nice on a drone photo, but because our storms will find a weak spot if it exists.
Flashing and ventilation, the quiet heroes
Most St. Louis roof leaks are not about the shingle field. They are about transitions. Chimneys, skylights, and sidewalls leak first. Brick chimneys require step flashing up the sides and counter flashing cut into the mortar joint. Caulk on brick is a short-term bandage, not a fix. Conner Roofing typically grinds a reglet into the mortar and sets new counter flashing, then seals and paints for a clean look. For sidewalls where a roof meets siding, proper step flashing under the siding with a kick-out at the bottom prevents the notorious rot behind a gutter end cap. It is a small metal triangle that saves thousands in fascia and sheathing down the line.
Ventilation is the other make-or-break. If your attic is hotter than your garage in July, or if you see frost on nail tips in January, you have a ventilation issue. A continuous ridge vent paired with adequate intake at the soffit is the cleanest solution on most gable roofs. Box vents work, but you need enough of them and they should not compete with a power fan. Mixing systems can short-circuit airflow. Conner’s team will calculate net free area rather than guessing, and they will check that soffits are not painted shut or blocked with insulation. This is unglamorous work. It adds life to the roof and keeps your HVAC from fighting the greenhouse in your attic.
Storm damage and insurance, without the circus
The St. Louis area sees hail pockets. A storm can pepper parts of Fenton and leave Sappington untouched. After any event that makes the evening news, you will see out-of-state trucks and door knockers working a script. Some are fine. Many are not. The safe approach is to call a local roofer you can find again, ask for an inspection, and decide whether it is worth opening a claim. Conner Roofing does this without theatrics. Their inspection will distinguish between manufacturing blemishes, normal aging, and storm-related damage like true hail bruising or wind creases at the shingle hinge.
If you do open a claim, you want a contractor who speaks Xactimate, the estimating software many carriers use, and who can document the scope with photos and line items. Supplementing a claim for overlooked items is common, and it should be handled professionally. You do not need a sales pitch promising a free roof. You roof repair need an advocate who knows the difference between what is appropriate to include and what will not pass muster. Conner’s staff will meet the adjuster, walk the roof, and keep the paperwork grounded in the policy and the facts.
How scheduling and site management should look
Replacing a roof is a controlled mess. Tear-off days are loud, and your driveway will host a dumpster or a dump trailer. The difference between a smooth job and a headache often comes down to preparation. Conner Roofing sets expectations clearly. They will ask you to move cars the night before, secure attic items, and bring in patio furniture where possible. Tarps go over landscaping, and plywood shields protect siding and AC units.
On a typical St. Louis lot with decent access, a one-layer tear-off and re-shingle on a straightforward gable roof can wrap in a day. Add complexity, multiple layers, steep pitch, or detailed flashing work around chimneys and dormers, and you are looking at two to three days. Weather can stretch this, and they do not gamble with an exposed deck. If a storm pops up mid-job, they button the roof and secure the site. You will also see magnet sweeps for nails at the end, and ideally again the next day. Most crews do this as a matter of course. It still helps to walk your property after their sweep. Fresh nails hide in grass.
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Repairs, maintenance, and the value of honest restraint
Not every issue means a new roof. One of the best signals that a contractor puts customers first is a willingness to do repairs when they are the right call. I have sent Conner Roofing to look at a two-year-old roof with a persistent leak at a skylight. They removed the trim, replaced the apron flashing, resealed, and reset the shingles. The bill was fair, and the homeowner finally had a dry living room after chasing the problem for months.
Seasonal maintenance also pays dividends. If your home sits under oaks or maples, gutters and valleys will clog. Water that should run down the shingles will back up and find the path of least resistance. An annual gutter clean and a quick look at penetrations can prevent most surprise leaks. Conner offers maintenance visits, and even if you prefer to DIY the cleaning, consider a pro check after major storms or before winter. It is easier to fix a lifted shingle tab in October than a ceiling stain in February.
Warranty and follow-through
Shingle manufacturers offer strong warranties, but the fine print matters. Wind ratings depend on correct nail placement and exposure. Algae resistance requires specific products. Workmanship warranties are where a local company proves its mettle. Conner Roofing stands behind their work with a written workmanship term that covers installation issues. I look for companies that answer the phone a year later when a counter flashing nail backs out or a ridge vent needs a tweak. Conner does. The call does not get lost. Someone shows up.
A warranty is only as good as the business behind it. St. Louis homeowners talk, and the companies that stay busy past the storm cycles are the ones that do right by those conversations.
How to decide, even if you are still comparing roofers St Louis MO
Choosing among St Louis roofers does not require you to become a shingles scholar. It helps to focus on a few non-negotiables. Get a detailed proposal that lists materials and scope. Ask to see photos from your roof and have someone explain what they show. Verify insurance and licenses. Request references from similar homes in your area, not just the one mansion with a perfect drone video. Make sure you understand ventilation changes and how they will affect your attic. If an estimate is much lower, find out what is missing. If it is much higher, determine whether the scope is broader or the materials different.
You do not need five bids. Three solid ones, from roofers in St Louis with roots, will give you a clear picture. When one of those is Conner Roofing, you will notice the difference in how they communicate. They do not sell fear. They sell clarity.
A quick story from the field
A homeowner in Webster Groves called after a spring storm. Ceiling stain in a back bedroom, no obvious shingle damage from the ground. The roof was eight years old, architectural shingle, decent shape. Conner’s inspector found the culprit in ten minutes. A small low-slope area tied into a sidewall where an addition met the original house. The kick-out flashing was missing at the bottom of the step flashing run. Water ran down the siding, behind the gutter end cap, and wicked behind the stucco. Replacing that one piece of metal, installing a proper diverter, and sealing the wall cut fixed a problem that looked like it came from the sky. The bill was a few hundred dollars. A less careful approach would have sold a new roof. That kind of judgment is why I keep their number.
What to expect if you call Conner Roofing, LLC
Expect a person, not a robot. You will get a schedule window for an inspection. The estimator will arrive with a ladder and camera, not just a brochure. After the inspection, you will receive a written proposal with line items for tear-off, underlayment, ice and water shield, drip edge, ventilation upgrades, flashing scope, accessories like pipe boots, and cleanup. Timelines will be realistic, not wishful, and they will talk through weather contingencies. If your job involves skylights or chimneys, they will show options and costs to repair versus replace. If insurance is involved, they will help you navigate next steps without promising the moon.
The crew day begins early. The foreman will introduce themselves, review protection plans for landscaping and property, and confirm materials and color. Tear-off is loud and fast. You will see tarps, catch boards, and a constant flow of debris to the dumpster. The installation rhythm is organized: underlayment first, then valleys, drip edge and starter, shingle fields, flashing, ridge vent, and caps. Details like nail placement and valley cutting patterns are checked by habit. At the end, the site is cleaned down to the last visible debris, and magnets sweep for nails. Within a day or two, you will receive final documentation and warranty details.
Straight answers to common questions
- How long does a roof replacement take? Most single-family homes in St. Louis with a standard 1,500 to 2,500 square foot roof finish in one to two days. Complex roofs or multiple layers can push to three. Do you need ice and water shield in St. Louis? Yes, at least in valleys, around penetrations, and along eaves. Our freeze-thaw cycle and wind-driven rain justify it. Full coverage on low-slope areas is smart. Can you roof over an existing layer? You can, but you should not. Tear-off allows inspection of the deck, correction of flashing, and proper fastening. Weight and heat retention are also concerns with overlays. Are all architectural shingles the same? No. Differences include base mat quality, asphalt content, adhesive strip strength, wind rating, and algae resistance. A reputable roofer will explain the trade-offs. Do ridge vents leak? Properly installed ridge vents do not leak. Problems come from incorrect cuts, inadequate intake, or product choices that do not match the roof’s pitch and exposure.
These are the kinds of questions Conner Roofing answers daily, with site-specific guidance rather than canned lines.
Where to find them and how to reach out
If you are searching for roofers St Louis MO or St Louis roofers with a track record of showing up, diagnosing cleanly, and finishing strong, keep this handy.
Contact Us
Conner Roofing, LLC
Address: 7950 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119, United States
Phone: (314) 375-7475
Website: https://connerroofing.com/
When you call, describe the home, the roof age if you know it, and the specific symptom you are seeing. A good roofer does not need a long speech. Clear details and a few photos before the visit help them prepare and shorten the time from first look to solution.
The bottom line for homeowners
Roofing is one of those trades where the work is mostly invisible once it is done. You see color and texture from the curb, but not the flashing steps, the nail lines, or the underlayment seams that do the hard work when the rain hits sideways at 2 a.m. That is why picking the right partner matters. Among roofers in St Louis, Conner Roofing, LLC has built a reputation the right way: careful diagnosis, straight pricing, disciplined install, and follow-through after the check clears. If you want a roof that looks good on a sunny Saturday and performs on a rough Tuesday night, call the people who sweat the details.