CASE STUDY – JANUARY 2026

How a Wauconda Family Stopped an Active Leak and Bought Time for Their Roof Replacement

Project Type: Chimney Flashing Repair on 1990 Single-Family Home

Value: $2,000 (repair) | $16,000 Future Full Roof Replacement Quote On File | $4,000 Full Gutter Replacement Quote On-File

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Fixed the Real Problem—Without Forcing a Full Replacement: A $2,000 repair stopped an active leak, giving the homeowners several more years of life for their existing roof. They can plan a replacement on their timeline, without urgent need or pressure.
From an Active Problem to a Clear Plan: Homeowners went from an urgent, spreading leak to knowing exactly what the roof needs, what it costs, and when they’ll need to act.
The Irony of a Simple $20 Skipped Component: The original roofer skipped step flashing, causing 32 sq ft of structural decking to rot over 15+ years.
3-day resolution: Saturday call → Monday contract → Tuesday completion.

# 1

When a Small Stain Signals a Bigger Question

When is it right to worry? A small stain on the ceiling? A damp smell near the chimney?
When the leak is active and spreading, the question often isn’t just, “how bad is it?” – it’s, “Do I need to replace the whole roof right now?”.

On a Thursday evening, Wesley noticed a discoloration on the drywall inside his closet. He grabbed a flashlight and climbed into the attic where he saw an active water leak and, from the look of it, the problem was getting worse.

Wesley and Robin purchased their 1990-built home in 2017 when the home inspection didn’t flag anything major. But now, 8 years later, here was the first visible sign of water seeping in where it shouldn’t. With no documentation to indicate who installed the roof and no warranty paperwork, the couple was left with just their insurance agent’s estimate that the roof was roughly fifteen years old.

Now, with an aged roof and an active leak, the question to answer was an obvious one:
Can this be repaired, or is a whole new roof needed?

The risk of waiting was real. Every rainstorm could push more water into places Wesley couldn’t see. If left unresolved, it could cause more damage—potentially turning a repair into something much bigger.

Wesley searched Google for “highest rated roofing repair businesses in this area.”
He wasn’t looking for the cheapest option. He was looking for someone who would actually find the problem.

# 2

Looking Beyond the Surface

Wesley was able to connect with Mariusz Holda promptly that Saturday afternoon. He explained the stain, attic moisture, and his chimney area which looked “off” from his position on the ground. He promptly texted photos to Mariusz to support his observations.

Mariusz provided his straightforward, initial opinion: “I won’t know exactly what’s wrong until we open it up but, based on these photos, I’m thinking the problem is at the junction between your chimney and roof. The minimum charge will be $1,500, and the project shouldn’t exceed any more than $2,500. If we find something beyond that scope, we’ll stop and call you before we do anything else.” A clear range was provided, with a defined guardrail requiring homeowner approval before exceeding it.

Wesley scheduled the work for Tuesday. Mariusz checked in on Monday after confirming the weather was clear.

The contract was finalized quickly, with one detail many contractors skip addressed upfront. New shingles often do not perfectly match the existing aged and weathered ones and, wanting no surprises, this was clearly explained and understood.

# 3

The Solution

Tuesday morning at 10:15 AM, Waldek, Holda Construction’s roof specialist, arrived at the Clevengers’ home and began removing shingles around the chimney to expose the source of the leak. The issue became clear immediately: no step flashing had ever been installed at the chimney.

Step flashing consists of small L-shaped metal pieces installed at each shingle course where a roof meets a vertical surface. In this case, it was entirely missing. Without it, water had been running beneath the shingles and into the roof structure during every rainfall, causing long-term, hidden damage. As a result, an entire 4×8 sheet of structural plywood—32 square feet—along the chimney had rotted through.

During the inspection, Waldek also noted areas of improper shingle alignment, where upper shingle seams landed directly over nail locations from the course below. While this condition did not cause the active leak, it can create additional pathways for water intrusion over time and supported the assessment that the original roof installation quality was poor.

With the cause identified, the conclusion was straightforward. The roof would require full replacement in the coming years, but the immediate source of damage—the active leak at the chimney—was localized and repairable. By correcting the flashing system and replacing the damaged decking, the leak could be stopped, further structural damage could be prevented, and the homeowners would be given time to plan a full roof replacement on their own schedule.

The completed repair totaled $2,000 and included removal and replacement of the rotted 4×8 plywood sheet, installation of new CDX plywood, GAF ice and water barrier, proper step flashing and counter-flashing, and new GAF Timberline HDZ shingles. A full roof replacement estimate of $16,000 remains on file for the future, when it becomes necessary and/or the homeowners decide the timing is right.

# 4

Work Performed

By noon, the work was complete. The active leak was stopped with the source of the problem properly sealed. In total, we:

Removed the entire 4×8 sheet of rotted plywood decking
Installed new 1/2″ 4-ply CDX plywood (full sheet)
Applied GAF ice and water barrier at chimney junction
Installed step flashing (black aluminum) woven with each shingle course
Installed new chimney counter-flashing
Installed GAF Timberline HDZ shingles in Mission Brown
Sealed all penetrations
Completed a roof walk-around inspection

# 5

The Timeline

January 10

Saturday

First call 1:45 PM.
Callback in 15 minutes.
Photos exchanged.
Verbal quote ($1,500–$2,500).
Tuesday scheduled.

January 12

Monday

Weather check—clear.
Contract sent 4:30 PM.
Signed 4:39 PM.

January 13

Tuesday

ETA text 9:40 AM.
Arrival 10:15 AM.
Root cause discovered.
Repairs completed by noon.
Paid in full.

# 6

Proposal vs. Invoice

Process Summary:
Proposals are estimates based on what’s visible. Invoices are based on what’s actually found.

The contract range was $1,500–$2,500 because no one could see beneath the shingles beforehand. The final invoice came in midrange at $2,000. No change order was required.

# 7

Our Findings and Recommendation

When Waldek discovered the missing step flashing and assessed the overall roof condition, Mariusz was direct:

“This isn’t something you caused. Whoever installed this roof never put in step flashing, and your roof has been leaking since the day it was installed – long before you bought the house. We’ve stopped the active leak, but I have to be honest: this is an aged roof. You’re going to need a full replacement within the next several years. The good news? Now you have time to plan. No pressure.”

- Mariusz Holda, Owner

A $16,000 replacement quote is already on file for when replacement is needed. When the time comes, the couple will also have the option of a 10-year workmanship warranty, and if they choose a full GAF system, GAF Silver Pledge coverage as well.

# 8

The After Story

With the leak addressed, Wesley and Robin no longer had to wonder what was happening above their ceiling every time it rained. The source of the damage had been identified, repaired, and documented, and the risk of continued structural deterioration was removed.

The chimney junction is now properly flashed, directing water safely onto the roof surface rather than into the structure.

That evening, Wesley followed up by text:

“Thanks, Mariusz. We really appreciated both your help and your quick response time. I’m sure we will be in touch when it is time to do the full roof replacement.”

- Wesley C.

# 9

Wrap-Up

Holda Construction has served Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs for over two decades, helping homeowners understand the difference between what needs to be fixed today and what can be planned on their timeline.

This project wasn’t about selling the biggest job: it was about solving the real problem in a straightforward way. A $2,000 repair stopped an active leak, prevented further structural damage, and gave the homeowners clarity, control, and time—without pressure. And when they’re ready for the full replacement, they already know who to call.

Facing similar issues with your home? Feel free to reach out with questions and/or photos for a quick discussion about what may work for you. Reach us at 847.847.2883 or contact us online.

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Facing similar issues with your home? Feel free to reach out with questions and/or photos for a quick discussion about what may work for you.

Hear From the Homeowner!

Mariusz and his crew were efficient and professional. The roof was repaired properly and we got an accurate diagnosis regarding what had caused the problem..... Expectations were outlined clearly. We were very happy with our experience with Holda Construction from start to finish.