Rodney's Roofing & Home Remodeling repairs residential roofs in Chicago. A roof repair fixes the part that failed, such as a leak, a patch of missing shingles or loose flashing, and leaves the sound part of the roof in place. To get one looked at, call (773) 676-3830 and say where the water is showing up.
Signs a roof needs repair
Most roof trouble shows itself before it becomes a ceiling problem. These are the usual signs.
- A brown stain on a top-floor ceiling or high on a wall, often worse after wind-driven rain.
- Shingles in the yard, or a dark patch on the roof where some used to be.
- Shingles that are curled, cracked or worn smooth, with grit collecting in the gutters.
- Metal flashing that has rusted, lifted or pulled away from a chimney or wall.
- Daylight showing between the roof boards when you stand in the attic.
- Ice building up along the roof edge in winter, then a stain on the wall below in spring.
Where Chicago roofs leak first
Water usually gets in where the roof is interrupted. On Chicago houses that is a short list of places.
| Place | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Chimney flashing | Brick moves with heat and cold, and the metal where roof meets chimney works loose. |
| Vent pipes | The collar around the pipe dries out and cracks. |
| Valleys | Two slopes drain into one channel, so a valley carries more water than any other part of the roof. |
| Eaves | Snow melts, runs down and refreezes at the cold edge. The ice backs water up under the shingles. |
| Low or flat sections | Water drains slowly, so small gaps in the seams have time to leak. |
If your building has a flat roof, as many Chicago two-flats do, say so when you call.
Repair or replace?
A repair makes sense when the damage is in one place and the rest of the roof still has years in it. Replacement makes sense when the problems are spread across the whole roof.
| What you see | Usually points to |
|---|---|
| One leak, the rest of the roof in good shape | Repair |
| A few shingles gone after a storm | Repair |
| Loose or rusted flashing at one chimney | Repair |
| Leaks in several rooms | Replacement |
| Shingles curled or bald across the whole roof | Replacement |
| A roof deck that feels soft or sags | Replacement, with deck repairs |
A table can only guess. Someone has to get up there and look before you spend money either way. If it does come to a new roof, read how roof replacement in Chicago works.
What to do about a leak until the roofer arrives
- Put a bucket under the drip and move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way.
- Take photos of the stain and the drip. They help the roofer and, if it comes to that, your insurer.
- Note when it leaks: every rain, only heavy rain, or only with wind from one direction.
- Stay off the roof. A wet roof is slippery, and the leak is rarely straight above the stain anyway.
- Call (773) 676-3830.
What changes the price of a roof repair
No price list is printed here, because repairs vary too much for one to be honest. These are the things that move the number.
- How much roof is damaged.
- How steep and how high the roof is, which decides how hard it is to work on.
- Whether the wood under the shingles is wet or rotted.
- Whether the flashing has to be rebuilt or only resealed.
- Whether shingles that match yours are still made.
Ask for the price in writing before work starts.
Roof repair questions
Can a roof be repaired in winter in Chicago?
Often, yes. A leak can be stopped in cold weather, but asphalt shingles turn brittle in the cold and their sealing strips need warmth to bond. Some winter repairs are temporary fixes that get finished properly in spring.
Should I go up on the roof to find the leak?
No. Look from the ground with binoculars and from inside the attic with a flashlight. Water travels along the wood before it drips, so the hole is often several feet from the stain.
Does homeowners insurance pay for roof repair?
It depends on your policy and on what caused the damage. Sudden damage from wind, hail or a fallen branch is often covered. Wear from age usually is not. Your insurer has the final say, so call them and ask.
How do I get a roof repair quote from Rodney's Roofing & Home Remodeling?
Call (773) 676-3830 or send the quote form on this page. Say what you are seeing, where the house is and how to reach you.