Storm Damage to Your Roof: What to Do Next

Storms can cause serious damage to roofs very quickly. High winds can lift or remove tiles, tear away flashings, and in severe cases bring down chimney stacks or sections of roof structure. If your roof has been damaged in a storm, it is important to act quickly — but also safely.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do after storm damage, from the immediate steps to take to how to get a professional repair sorted as quickly as possible.

Before you do anything else, make sure you and your family are safe.

• Do not go onto the roof yourself. Working at height after a storm is extremely dangerous. Tiles and debris may be loose, surfaces may be wet and slippery, and the roof structure may have been weakened.
• Stay away from fallen debris. If tiles, chimney pots, or other materials have fallen into your garden or onto a path, keep clear until a professional has assessed the situation.
• Check for structural damage. If you can see significant sagging, a collapsed section, or hear unusual creaking, evacuate the affected area of the house and call a professional immediately.
• Turn off electricity if water is entering near electrical fittings. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water is dripping near light fittings, switches, or sockets, turn off the electricity at the consumer unit and call an electrician.

Once you are sure it is safe to do so, take a look at your roof from ground level. You are looking for:

• Missing tiles or slates — gaps in the roof covering
• Lifted or displaced ridge tiles — the tiles along the apex of the roof
• Damaged or missing chimney pots or cowls
• Fallen or damaged TV aerials or satellite dishes
• Visible damage to flashings — the metal details around chimneys, skylights, and roof edges
• Debris on the roof — branches, leaves, or other material that may be blocking outlets or gutters

Take photographs from ground level if it is safe to do so. These will be useful for your insurance claim.

Go into your loft and check for signs of water ingress. Look for:

• Daylight visible through the roof
• Wet or damp timbers
• Water dripping or pooling on the loft floor
• Wet or compressed insulation

Also check the ceilings of rooms directly below the roof for damp patches or water stains.

If water is getting in, take steps to minimise further damage while you wait for a professional:

• Place buckets or containers under any drips to protect floors and furnishings
• Move valuables and furniture away from affected areas
• Use plastic sheeting to protect belongings from water damage
• Do not attempt to apply temporary repairs yourself unless you have the right equipment and training — working at height is dangerous

Most home insurance policies cover storm damage to roofs. Contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the damage and start the claims process. You will typically need to:

• Report the damage promptly — most policies require you to notify your insurer within a reasonable time
• Provide photographs of the damage
• Get a written quote from a qualified roofing contractor
• Keep receipts for any emergency measures you take to prevent further damage

Important: Do not carry out permanent repairs before your insurer has had the opportunity to assess the damage, unless emergency work is needed to make the property safe. Emergency temporary repairs are generally covered.

Once you have taken the immediate steps above, call a professional roofing contractor to carry out a proper inspection and provide a written quote for the repair.

When choosing a roofer after storm damage, look for:

• A local contractor who can respond quickly
• Full public liability insurance
• A written quote before work begins
• References or reviews from previous customers
• 24/7 emergency availability

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough experience a range of storm conditions throughout the year. The most common types of storm damage we see are:

Strong winds are the most common cause of storm damage to roofs in Cambridgeshire. The flat, open Fenland landscape means there is little natural shelter, and wind speeds can be significantly higher than in more sheltered parts of the country.

Wind damage typically affects:

• Ridge tiles — the mortar bedding can crack and fail, allowing wind to lift and displace ridge tiles
• Verge tiles — the tiles at the edges of a gable roof are particularly vulnerable to wind lift
• Flashings — wind can get under poorly secured flashings and tear them away
• Flat roof membranes — if the perimeter is not properly secured, wind can lift the membrane

Cambridgeshire has many mature trees, and storms can bring down branches or whole trees onto roofs. This type of damage can range from a few broken tiles to serious structural damage requiring emergency shoring.

Prolonged heavy rain can overwhelm gutters and drainage systems, leading to water backing up under tiles or overflowing into the roof structure. Blocked gutters are a major contributing factor.

Cambridgeshire Roofing Services provides 24/7 emergency roofing cover across the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. If your roof has been damaged in a storm, call us on 07836559605 at any time and we will respond as quickly as possible.

We cover Cambridge, Peterborough, Ely, Huntingdon, March, Wisbech, St Neots, Whittlesey, and all surrounding villages and towns.