Wind Damage to Roof Shingles in Dublin, Ohio: How to Spot It and What to Do

Field knowledge

Dublin sits in the same Central Ohio weather as the rest of the Columbus area: spring and summer thunderstorms with strong straight-line winds and sometimes hail, and winters that swing above and below freezing. Wind is the most common way that weather damages a shingle roof here, and the damage is not always visible from the street. This guide covers what wind and Dublin’s climate do to a roof, how to check safely, and what to do next.

Roof Revivers inspects and repairs roofs in Dublin and across Central Ohio from our Gahanna office: roofing in Dublin, OH, roof repair in Dublin, roof inspections in Dublin and storm and hail damage repair in Columbus.

Short answer

Strong storm winds lift shingles, break the adhesive seal that holds them flat, and crease or tear them off, usually starting at the roof’s edges, corners and ridge. Once a shingle has lifted or creased, wind-driven rain can get under it and into the decking and attic. If you find shingles in the yard, see lifted or missing tabs, or notice a new ceiling stain after a storm, have the roof inspected. Roof Revivers has been roofing since 2012 and gives free inspections in Dublin and across Central Ohio. Columbus office: 1020 Taylor Station Road, Suite F, Gahanna, OH 43230, (614) 626-0387, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Book a free storm damage inspection.

How Dublin’s climate damages roofs

Thunderstorm winds

Spring and summer thunderstorms in Central Ohio can bring damaging straight-line winds. Gusts catch the edge of a shingle, break its seal strip and lift it. A lifted shingle may lie back down looking fine, but the seal is broken and the next storm can tear it off. Older shingles that have dried out and lost flexibility are more likely to crease and fail.

Hail

Hail can bruise shingles, crack them and knock off the granules that protect the asphalt from the sun. It also dents gutters, downspouts, vents and siding, which are often the easiest places to see that hail hit. See hail damage roof repair in Columbus.

Freeze-thaw cycles and ice dams

Winter temperatures cross freezing again and again. Water that gets into gaps freezes, expands and widens them. When attic heat melts snow on the upper roof, the water can refreeze at the colder eaves and back up under the shingles. Read about ice dam damage and attic ventilation.

Trees

Many Dublin neighborhoods, including Muirfield Village, have mature trees. Limbs that come down in a storm can puncture a roof, and overhanging branches scrape shingles and drop debris into valleys and gutters.

What wind damage looks like

• Shingles or pieces of shingle in the yard, driveway or gutters
• Missing shingles that expose the dark underlayment or bare decking
• Lifted, curled or flapping shingle edges
• Horizontal creases across shingles, a sign they folded back in the wind
• Damaged or missing ridge caps along the peak
• Bent or loose flashing around chimneys, walls and vents, or a loose drip edge
• Granules collecting in gutters or at downspout outlets

Why roof edges and corners take the most damage

Wind pressure is strongest at a roof’s edges, corners, rakes and ridge. Wind gets under the first course of shingles there and lifts them, and each loose shingle makes it easier for the wind to get under the next one. That is why wind damage often shows up as a strip of missing or lifted shingles along an edge rather than spread evenly over the roof. Check those areas first.

How to check your roof safely after a storm

1. Stay off the roof. Never climb onto a wet roof or go up during or right after a storm. Look from the ground, and use binoculars if you have them.
2. Walk the yard. Look for shingle pieces, granules, fallen limbs and dented gutters or downspouts.
3. Look at the edges, corners and ridge from several sides of the house for missing, lifted or creased shingles.
4. Check inside. Look for new stains on ceilings and walls. With a flashlight, check the attic for wet insulation, damp decking, drips or daylight, and notice any musty smell.
5. Take photos. Photograph everything from several angles with wide and close-up shots, and note the date of the storm.

What to do right after a storm hits

If water is coming in, stop it first. Move belongings, catch drips, and get the damaged area covered. Roof Revivers offers storm tarping in Dublin to keep water out until a permanent repair can be made. Keep receipts for any temporary protection, then have the roof inspected so you know exactly what was damaged before you file a claim.

Insurance and documentation

If wind, hail or a fallen limb caused the damage, your homeowner’s policy may help. Coverage, deductibles and deadlines for reporting damage depend on your policy, so read it or ask your agent, and report damage promptly. Two terms are worth knowing before you file:

• Replacement cost value (RCV). Pays what it costs to replace the damaged roof with an equivalent new one. Many RCV policies pay the actual cash value first and release the rest once the work is done.
• Actual cash value (ACV). Pays the depreciated value of the roof, so an older roof gets less.

Good documentation helps any claim. We give you photos of every damaged area and a written scope you can share with your insurer, and we will meet any insurance adjuster on site. We cannot promise what your insurer will approve. Read how to file a storm damage insurance claim in Columbus and how roof insurance claims work.

Repair or replace after wind damage?

A few missing or creased shingles on a roof in good shape can usually be repaired. If damage is spread across many slopes, the shingles are near the end of their life, or water has reached the decking, replacement may be the better spend. Matching matters too, because older shingles can be hard to match. Read repair or replace, how long roofs last in Ohio, and see roof replacement in Dublin.

What shapes your repair cost

The cost of a repair comes down to what we find: how far the damage has spread, whether water has reached the decking or attic, the roof’s pitch and access, and how closely new materials need to match what is already on the roof. We give you a written scope after a free inspection.

Get your Dublin roof checked

If a storm has come through, a free inspection tells you whether you have damage and what it will take to fix. We serve Dublin, Powell, Westerville and the rest of Central Ohio. See a real example of recent Columbus projects, or book a free inspection.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if wind damaged my roof?

Look for shingles in the yard, missing shingles, lifted or flapping edges, horizontal creases, damaged ridge caps, loose flashing and granules in the gutters. Inside, check for new ceiling stains and wet insulation or damp decking in the attic.

Where does wind damage a roof first?

At the edges, corners, rakes and ridge, where wind pressure is strongest. Wind gets under the first shingles there and lifts them, and each loose shingle makes the next easier to lift.

Can a lifted shingle be fixed or does it need replacing?

It depends on the shingle. If it lifted but did not crease or tear, it may be resealed. Creased, cracked or torn shingles usually need to be replaced. An inspection tells you which.

What should I do right after a storm damages my roof in Dublin?

Stay off the roof, stop any water coming in, photograph the damage, keep receipts for temporary protection, and have the roof inspected before you file a claim. Roof Revivers offers storm tarping and free inspections in Dublin.

Will insurance cover wind damage to my roof?

If wind, hail or a fallen limb caused the damage, your homeowner’s policy may help. Coverage, deductibles and reporting deadlines depend on your policy. We document the damage with photos and a written scope and will meet any insurance adjuster on site.

Do you inspect roofs in Dublin, Ohio?

Yes. Our Columbus branch inspects and repairs roofs in Dublin and across Central Ohio, and inspections are free. Call (614) 626-0387, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.