In this guide
- Most asphalt roofs last about 20 to 30 years. St. Louis heat, freeze-thaw and hail can shorten that.
- Granules in the gutters, curling shingles and attic leaks are the clearest warning signs.
- Over 20 years old or more than about 25% damaged usually means replace, not repair.
- A free inspection tells you which one you need, with photos of what we find.
The 7 warning signs
Roofs rarely fail all at once. They wear out a little every season until a storm or a leak forces the decision. Catch the signs early and you get to pick the timing, the materials and the budget. You can spot most of these from the ground, so there's no need to climb up.
Your roof is 20 years old or more
Most asphalt roofs last about 20 to 30 years. Three-tab shingles sit at the low end, around 20 years, and architectural shingles last about 25 to 30. If your roof is in that window, start planning before it starts leaking. Not sure how old it is? Check your home purchase paperwork or the last inspection report.
Shingles are curling, cupping or cracking
Shingles should lie flat. When the edges curl up or the middles cup, the shingle has dried out and stopped shedding water the way it should. Cracks show up after years of heating and cooling. A few bad shingles can be replaced. If it's happening across whole slopes, the roof is near the end of its life.
Granules are washing into your gutters
Those sand-like granules protect asphalt shingles from the sun. When you find them in your gutters or piled at the bottom of downspouts, or see dark, bald patches on the roof, the shingles are wearing through. A big loss of granules right after a hailstorm is also a sign of hail damage.
Shingles are missing or keep blowing off
One missing shingle after a big wind is a repair. Shingles that keep coming off storm after storm mean the seal strips are failing across the roof, and more will follow.
Water stains, leaks or daylight in the attic
Brown stains on ceilings, peeling paint near the roofline, damp insulation or daylight showing through the roof boards all mean water or air is getting in. Check your attic with a flashlight after a heavy rain. Some leaks are just a failed pipe boot or flashing, which is a simple repair. Others point to a roof that's done.
A sagging or soft roof deck
If part of your roofline dips or sags, the wood decking underneath may be rotting. Don't wait on this one. Call for an inspection right away.
Storm damage across several slopes
Hail leaves round bruises and knocks granules loose. Wind lifts and creases shingles. You won't always see it from the ground, but dented gutters, dinged AC fins and neighbors getting new roofs after the same storm are strong clues. Widespread storm damage often means a full replacement, and it may be covered by insurance.
When a repair is enough
A new roof isn't always the answer. A repair usually makes sense when:
- The roof is on the younger side, roughly under 15 years old, and the damage is limited to one area.
- A leak traces back to the flashing around a chimney, skylight or vent pipe.
- A few shingles blew off in a single wind storm.
Small repairs usually run $250 to $650, and larger ones $800 to $2,500. Our rule of thumb: once a roof is over 20 years old or more than about 25% damaged, replacement makes more sense than patching it again and again.
For roofs 8 years and older, an annual roof tune-up ($400–$800) reseals flashing, clears gutters and catches small problems before they turn into big ones.
What to do next
Please don't climb up there yourself. Walk around the house with a pair of binoculars, check your gutters and take a quick look in the attic. Then let a pro take it from there.
A free inspection from KPro gets someone on the roof safely, with photos of what we find and an honest recommendation, whether that's a small repair or a full roof replacement. Wondering about price? See what a new roof costs in St. Louis.
Book a free, no-pressure inspection. You'll get photos and a straight answer on repair versus replacement.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a roof last in St. Louis?
Can I replace just part of my roof?
Is a roof inspection really free?
What should I do if my roof is leaking right now?
Locally owned in Manchester, MO since 2020, serving the St. Louis metro and Quincy, IL. GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed certified, Pella Certified, and BBB A+ accredited. Bilingual crew, with a project coordinator on every claim.
