Immediate Steps After Storm Damage
When you first discover your roof has been damaged by a storm, there's often a temptation to panic or to try to fix things yourself immediately. Neither is helpful. Here's what you should actually do.
Safety first, always. If there are tiles or debris on the ground, keep people—especially children—away from the area. Fallen tiles are heavy and can cause serious injury if they continue to fall. If there's any possibility of structural damage, or if you can hear things still moving or creaking, consider whether it's safe to remain in the building. Use common sense: minor missing tiles aren't an evacuation scenario, but a tree through the roof certainly is.
Don't climb on the roof. We can't stress this enough. In the aftermath of a storm, roof surfaces may be slippery, damaged tiles may break underfoot, and conditions generally aren't safe for non-professionals without proper equipment. The worst storm damage we've repaired has sometimes been to homeowners rather than to roofs.
Do take photographs. As soon as it's safe to do so, document the damage thoroughly from ground level. Photograph any visible damage to the roof, any debris on the ground, any resulting damage inside the property. These photos are invaluable for insurance purposes and help contractors understand what they're dealing with before they arrive.
Protect your property from further damage if you can do so safely. If water is coming in, place buckets to catch it and move furniture and valuables out of the way. If there's a window broken or an obvious hole, temporary sheeting or boarding from inside can help—but don't attempt anything on the roof exterior yourself.
Contact your insurance company early. Most policies require prompt notification of damage, and some require approval before any repair work begins. Having photographs ready will help this conversation go smoothly.
Assessing Storm Damage to Your Roof
Some storm damage is obvious—tiles in the garden, daylight visible through the loft, water cascading down the stairs. Other damage is more subtle and might not become apparent until the next rainfall. Understanding what to look for helps you assess the situation accurately.
Missing or displaced tiles are the most common form of storm damage. High winds can lift tiles, slide them out of position, or break their fixing nibs so they fall entirely. Even tiles that are still in place might have been lifted and dropped back slightly out of position, creating gaps for water to enter.
Ridge tiles—the curved tiles along the apex of the roof—are particularly vulnerable to wind. The mortar bedding that holds them in place can crack and crumble over time, and a strong storm might be the final stressor that dislodges them. A ridge tile falling from height can cause significant secondary damage on the way down.
Flashing damage often occurs during storms. Lead flashings can be lifted by wind, especially if the mortar securing them has deteriorated. The junction between the roof and any vertical surface—chimney, wall, dormer—is always a weak point that storms can exploit.
Less obvious damage includes cracked tiles that haven't yet fallen, displaced pointing in valleys, damaged or blocked gutters, and bent or twisted roof vents. These might not cause immediate problems but can lead to leaks and further deterioration if not addressed.
From inside, check your loft space if accessible. Look for daylight showing through, new damp patches, disturbed insulation, or any signs that water has entered. Check upstairs ceilings for new stains or damp spots. Remember that water can travel significant distances along timbers before appearing, so internal damage might be some way from the actual roof breach.
Emergency Repairs and Temporary Protection
When storm damage has breached your roof's weatherproofing, temporary protection is often needed to prevent further damage while permanent repairs are arranged. This is particularly important if heavy rain is forecast or if you're waiting for insurance approval.
Professional emergency tarping involves securely covering the damaged area with heavy-duty sheeting, weighted and fixed to prevent wind getting underneath. Done properly, this can keep water out for weeks if necessary. Done badly, it can cause additional damage or blow off in the next storm, so it's not really a DIY job unless the area is very small and easily accessible.
Reputable roofing contractors offer emergency call-out services for exactly this purpose. We can often attend within hours of a call, assess the damage, and install temporary protection that will hold until permanent repairs can be completed. This service typically attracts an emergency call-out fee, but the cost is usually vastly less than the internal water damage that could occur without it.
Be wary of unsolicited approaches. Unfortunately, storms bring out opportunistic "roofers" who knock on doors offering to help. Some are legitimate contractors responding to obvious need, but others are chancers with little experience, no insurance, and inflated prices. Never engage contractors who cold-call after storms without thoroughly checking their credentials first.
Your insurance company may have preferred contractors for emergency work, or they may authorise you to arrange it yourself up to a certain limit. Check your policy terms or ask when you notify the claim.
Navigating the Insurance Process
Most home insurance policies cover storm damage, but the claims process can be complex. Handling it correctly from the outset makes everything smoother.
Notify your insurer promptly. Most policies have notification requirements, and delays can complicate or jeopardise your claim. Have your policy number ready when you call, and be prepared to describe the damage and how it occurred.
Document everything. Those photographs we mentioned are essential. Also note the date and approximate time the damage occurred, the weather conditions, and any immediate actions you took to protect the property. If you have any receipts for emergency repairs or protection, keep them safely.
Be accurate about pre-existing conditions. If your roof was already in need of maintenance before the storm, the insurer may argue that damage resulted from lack of upkeep rather than storm action. Equally, if your roof was in good condition, don't let an assessor suggest otherwise. Having records of previous maintenance or inspections can help establish the roof's pre-storm condition.
Get multiple quotes for repairs. Even if your insurer has preferred contractors, you're usually entitled to obtain your own quotes. Having several options gives you perspective on what's reasonable and can help if there's any dispute about costs.
Understand what's covered. Most policies cover the cost of repair or replacement of damaged elements and may cover internal damage caused by the roof breach. Improvements or upgrades to better-than-original specification are usually excluded. Policy excesses apply to storm claims just as with other claims.
Consider whether to claim. For minor damage, the cost of repairs might be close to your policy excess, and making a claim can affect your no-claims bonus and future premiums. Sometimes it's more economical to pay for small repairs privately. For significant damage, claims almost always make sense.
The Repair Process
Once assessments are complete and any necessary insurance approvals are in place, permanent repairs can proceed. Here's what to expect.
A detailed inspection usually comes first. While emergency assessments identify obvious damage, a thorough inspection before repair often reveals additional issues. This might include displaced tiles that weren't visible from ground level, hidden damage to battens or felt, or structural issues that only become apparent when damaged covering is removed.
Material sourcing can take time. Matching existing tiles, particularly on older properties, isn't always straightforward. Standard tile types are usually readily available, but if your roof has discontinued or unusual tiles, sourcing replacements might delay the project. Sometimes we can obtain reclaimed tiles; other times, a section might need to be re-covered in a matching alternative.
The repair work itself varies enormously depending on the extent of damage. Replacing a few tiles might take a morning. Extensive damage involving structural repairs, multiple roof sections, and associated work could take weeks. Your contractor should provide a realistic timeline based on the specific circumstances.
Quality repairs address root causes, not just visible damage. If tiles blew off because the battens were rotten, new tiles on rotten battens will fail again. If flashing lifted because the mortar was deteriorated, simply replacing the flashing without addressing the fixing invites recurrence. A good contractor will explain any underlying issues discovered during the work and recommend appropriate solutions.
When work is complete, you should receive appropriate documentation including details of what was done, any warranties on materials or workmanship, and photographs of the completed repairs. This is particularly important for insurance claims, where the insurer will want evidence that repairs have been properly executed.
Preventing Future Storm Damage
While you can't storm-proof your roof completely, good maintenance significantly reduces the risk of damage and ensures that any damage that does occur is less severe.
Regular inspections catch developing problems before storms exploit them. Loose tiles, deteriorating mortar, lifted flashing—all are much better addressed in calm conditions than discovered during a gale. Annual inspections by a professional roofer are a worthwhile investment.
Prompt repairs matter. That ridge tile that's been slightly wobbly for months becomes a missing ridge tile and potentially a damaged car or conservatory during the next storm. Attending to minor issues promptly prevents them becoming major problems.
Tree management reduces risk. Overhanging branches can damage roofs directly during storms, and trees in poor health can shed limbs or even fall entirely. Having trees near your property regularly assessed and appropriately managed protects both your home and your neighbours.
Upgrade where possible. When repairs are needed anyway, it's sometimes worth upgrading to more robust solutions. Dry ridge systems, for example, are more storm-resistant than traditional mortared ridges. Modern mechanical fixings for tiles can provide better wind resistance than original nib-and-batten arrangements.
Get Professional Storm Damage Help
If your Surrey home has suffered storm damage, or if you're concerned about your roof's resilience ahead of the storm season, LT Leadwork & Roofing is here to help. We offer emergency response for urgent situations, thorough assessments to identify all damage, and quality repairs that address problems properly.
We've helped numerous Surrey homeowners through the aftermath of storms, from initial emergency protection through to completed repairs and insurance documentation. Our straightforward, honest approach means you'll understand exactly what's needed and what it will cost.
Contact us when you need us—we're here to help protect your home.
For more roofing advice, explore our guides on chimney repairs and spotting roof damage, or browse our complete blog archive.
