At a glance: Completed 2026-08-04: garage ridge vent & ridge cap repair on Ranch Drive, Ballwin, MO 63011. Office: St. Louis, 314-429-6000.
The ridge takes the brunt of the wind
The very top of a roof is its most exposed spot. Wind speeds up as it flows over the peak, and that pulls upward on everything at the ridge. On a detached or attached garage, where the roof is often lower and catches gusts from open yards, the ridge vent and its cap shingles take a beating. On Ranch Drive, a summer storm had cracked several cap shingles and loosened a run of ridge vent so it lifted and rattled.
Why a loose ridge vent leaks
A ridge vent is a long strip that covers a slot cut along the peak, letting hot air out of the attic. When it is fastened properly and capped, rain cannot get in. When wind lifts it, the slot is exposed, and wind-driven rain blows straight into the attic or garage below. Cracked cap shingles also leave nail heads exposed, and every exposed nail is a path for water.
Removing the damaged section
The crew removed the cracked cap shingles and the loose length of ridge vent. They checked the slot underneath to make sure it was cut to the right width and the decking along its edges was solid. A slot cut too wide lets rain in even with a vent over it.
New ridge vent
New ridge vent was installed over the slot and fastened into solid decking on both sides. A good ridge vent has an external baffle that makes wind flow over it and pull air out of the attic instead of pushing rain in. Fastened correctly, it sits flat along the full length of the ridge.
New cap shingles, longer nails
New ridge cap shingles were installed over the vent, overlapping in the direction away from the prevailing wind so gusts cannot get under the edges. The crew used longer nails than standard, because they have to pass through the cap and the vent and still reach solid wood. Short nails are one of the most common reasons ridge caps blow off.
Sealing nails and lifted shingles
Every exposed nail head on the last cap shingle was sealed. Along the ridge line, a few field shingles had lifted in the same storm. The crew hand-sealed them with roofing adhesive so they will stay down in the next wind event.
Why garage roofs get overlooked
Homeowners tend to look at the main roof and forget about the garage. But a leaking garage roof soaks stored items, rusts tools and can rot the framing over a car. A quick check after any strong wind storm, looking for missing cap shingles or a lifted ridge line, can save a lot of trouble.
Storm season in west St. Louis County
Ballwin sees strong straight-line winds and the occasional tornado warning every spring and summer. Ridge damage is one of the most common calls we get after those storms. If your neighbors are getting roof work after a storm, it is worth having yours looked at, even if you do not see a leak yet.
Roofer near me in Ballwin, 63011
If you are searching roofer near me in Ballwin, our St. Louis crews are in 63011, 63021 and 63038 every week. Call 314-429-6000 or 1-800-564-6232 at any hour, including after a storm.
Lifetime workmanship warranty
The ridge repair on Ranch Drive is covered by our lifetime workmanship warranty on the work we did.
Ridge vents and attic ventilation
A ridge vent works with the soffit vents along the eaves. Cooler air comes in low, warms up and rises out at the peak. That steady airflow keeps the space under the roof cooler in summer and drier in winter, which protects the decking and helps shingles last. When a ridge vent is damaged or blocked, the whole system stops working. Replacing it restored the airflow for the garage as well as stopping the leak.
Signs of ridge damage to look for
From the driveway or the yard, look along the peak of the garage and the house. Missing or cracked cap shingles, a ridge line that looks wavy or lifted, black nail heads showing, or pieces of cap shingle in the yard after a storm are all signs the ridge needs attention. Inside a garage with an open ceiling, daylight along the peak or water stains on the rafters near the top are another clue.
Repair or replace after storm damage
When wind damage is limited to the ridge, as it was on Ranch Drive, a repair is the right call. If wind has lifted shingles across large areas of the roof, or hail has bruised the shingles, it may be worth having the roof inspected for an insurance claim. We will tell you honestly which one it is and show you photos either way.
Fast response after storms
Wind-damaged ridges let water in quickly, so we prioritize them after storms. If a ridge is open and rain is coming, our crews can tarp it the same day and come back for the permanent repair. Our 24/7 line at 1-800-564-6232 is answered by real people any time.
What the repair looks like afterward
From the street, the garage ridge now sits straight and even, with matching cap shingles running the full length. There are no exposed nail heads or gaps along the peak, and the vent sits low so it is barely noticeable. The homeowner got photos of the damaged section, the new vent before capping and the finished ridge.
What the crew did, step by step
- Removed the cracked ridge cap shingles on the garage roof.
- Removed the loose section of ridge vent.
- Checked the vent slot width and the decking along it.
- Installed new ridge vent fastened into solid decking.
- Installed new ridge cap shingles with longer nails, lapped away from the prevailing wind.
- Sealed exposed nail heads and hand-sealed lifted field shingles along the ridge.
- Cleaned up and hauled away all debris.
Questions homeowners in Ballwin ask about this repair
Why does ridge cap blow off?
Wind speeds up over the peak, and caps fastened with short nails or aged shingles let go first.
Can a ridge vent leak?
Yes, if it lifts or the slot underneath is cut too wide.
Do you repair garage roofs?
Yes. This job was on a garage roof.
Should I get my roof checked after a windstorm?
Yes. Ridge and cap damage is common after strong wind even if nothing is leaking yet.
Do you do roof repair in Ballwin?
Yes. Call our St. Louis office at 314-429-6000.
How long does a ridge repair take?
Usually a few hours.