Common roof problems in Chicago and what the repair costs
For roof repair, roof replacement, leak repair, storm damage and inspections in Chicago and 34 towns across Cook, DuPage and Will counties, Roofers Hotline takes one call at (855) 512-1072. Calls are answered from 180 ZIP codes in the Chicago area. The line is answered around the clock, and you get a written estimate before work starts.
Key takeaways
- NOAA storm records list 131 thunderstorm wind events of 65 knots or more in Cook County since 2015, and lifted shingles are the usual repair.
- Rain at the nearest station averages 34 inches a year in NCEI normals, so flashing, pipe boots and valleys get checked first.
- The nearest weather station averages 106 freezing days and 39 inches of snow a year, the recipe for ice dams.
The last federal disaster declaration that included Chicago's county came on September 20, 2024, for severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding, and the roofs that took that weather are still the ones to look at before the next one. The metro also sits in the Very High hail band, with 97 hail reports within 15 km of the city since 2000, and 77% of homes here were built before 1980. Roofers Hotline handles roof repair, leak calls and storm damage inspections here, with a written estimate before any work starts. Call 24 hours a day and tell us what you see on the ceiling or the shingles.
The problems Chicago roofs get most
Hail, wind and ice are the three that bring most Chicago calls. Cook County logged 178 hail events of one inch or larger since 2015, plus 131 damaging thunderstorm wind events, so shingles get bruised, cracked and lifted every year. The largest hail in that record measured 2.75 inches.
Winter adds its own damage. The metro's ice dam risk is High, and the 1991 to 2020 climate normals at the Midway airport station show 38.8 inches of snow and 106.3 days a year with a low at or below 32 F. Water that refreezes at the eaves backs up under shingles and shows up as stains inside.
Call Roofers Hotline for roof repair here and ask for a written estimate that names each problem found.
Across the metro's 180 ZIP codes, what roof repair includes is explained visit by visit.
How to spot each one
Start from the ground after a storm. Look for shingle granules in the gutters, dark spots where granules wore away, creased or missing shingles, and bent flashing around chimneys and vents. Hail damage often hides in plain sight, so a roof can look fine from the yard and still have bruised shingles.
Then check the attic. Damp insulation, daylight through the boards or brown rings on the ceiling below point to a leak. In winter, icicles along the eaves and wet stains near exterior walls suggest an ice dam.
Age matters too. The median home in Chicago was built in 1952, by Census estimates for 2019 to 2023, so older decking and flashing are common. Call for an inspection, and have photos of any stains and the date of the last storm ready.
The same number also books Chicago roof leak repair, and the inspection is photographed before the estimate is written. For prices by material and job, see roof repair cost, with the local range above.
When it is urgent
Active leaks, sagging ceilings, missing shingles and exposed decking need a call the same hour you see them, because Chicago's weather does not wait. Hail season runs mostly from April to October, with June the busiest month, and the last 2-inch hail within 25 km fell on April 7, 2020. Tornadoes have touched down 16 times within 25 km since 2000, most recently on July 15, 2024.
Emergency tarping and leak repair are available 24/7, which keeps water out until the permanent repair is done. Illinois requires roofing contractors to hold a statewide roofing license from IDFPR, and you can look up any license at Illinois IDFPR.
If water is coming in now, call. If it is only a stain, book the inspection this week.
The job for roof repair runs from the first call to the scheduled work, step by step.
- 178 Hail events, one inch or largerCook County, since 2015
- 131 Wind events, 65 knots or moreCook County, since 2015
- 36 TornadoesCook County, since 2015
- 22 Federal weather disaster declarations, from 1967 to dateCook County, last September 20, 2024
- 97 Hail reports within 15 km of the city centerSPC, 2000 to 2024, Very High band
Sources: NOAA Storm Events (Cook County); OpenFEMA declarations (Cook County); NOAA SPC reports. Updated October 2026.
Why call
Why Roofers Hotline in Chicago
- We track every storm the county records 1,268,199 homes inside the city limits on the Census count are on record here, and public storm, disaster and housing records shape the advice here.
- Local roofers who know Cook County roofs Weather disasters in Cook County have drawn 22 federal declarations on OpenFEMA's record, most recently in 2024.
- Calls answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Night, weekend or holiday, the call is answered and the visit is booked.
- Inspection photos you can see The photographs come from the roof itself, not from the driveway.
Questions
Questions about common roof problems here
How do I know if hail damaged my Chicago roof?
Look for dented vents, bruised or cracked shingles and granules piled in the gutters. Cook County logged 178 hail events of one inch or larger since 2015, so damage is common. Call for an inspection after any hail storm and ask for a written estimate that lists what was found.
Why does my ceiling stain show up in winter?
Ice dams are a likely cause. The metro's ice dam risk is High, with 106.3 freeze days a year in the 1991 to 2020 climate normals. Melted snow refreezes at the eaves and backs under shingles. Call for a leak inspection before the stain spreads.
Are older local homes more likely to have roof problems?
Age adds risk, because worn flashing and decking fail sooner. By Census estimates for 2019 to 2023, 77% of local homes were built before 1980, and the median build year is 1952. Ask for an inspection of the flashing and decking along with the shingles.
When should I call about storm damage?
Call right away for active leaks or missing shingles, and soon after any severe storm for a check. The last federal declaration for the county was September 20, 2024, for storms, tornadoes, winds and flooding. Call 24 hours a day for tarping and repair.
Across the metro, the question that comes up most is How long does a roof last?
Get roofing quotes in Chicago
Takes about a minute. Tell us the ZIP code and what the roof is doing, and a local roofer calls you back to book an inspection and written estimate.
Start your requestOr call: the number at the top of this page is answered 24/7.