Emergency Roof Repair: What to Do When Storm Damage Strikes

Immediate Steps After Storm Damage

In the first few hours after noticing roof damage, focus on these priorities:

• Stay safe - Do not go onto the roof in high winds, rain or darkness. Seriously. More people are injured in the aftermath of storms than during them.
• Contain water inside - Put buckets under drips, move furniture and valuables away from wet areas, and lay towels or plastic sheeting to protect floors.
• Document the damage - Take photos and videos from ground level. This evidence is essential for insurance claims.
• Turn off electrics if needed - If water is coming in near light fittings, sockets or the fuse board, switch off the affected circuits at the consumer unit.
• Contact your insurer - Most home insurance policies cover storm damage. Call them early, even before you have a repair quote.

Temporary Fixes You Can Do Safely

If the weather has calmed and you are confident working at height (with a stable ladder on dry, level ground), some temporary measures can limit damage:

• Tarpaulin cover - A heavy-duty tarp secured over the damaged area with battens or sandbags keeps rain out until a roofer can attend. Do not nail it to the roof surface.
• Temporary felt patches - For small holes in flat roofs, self-adhesive bitumen tape or flashing tape can provide a short-term seal.
• Clear debris - Fallen branches or tiles sitting in gutters cause secondary damage by blocking drainage. Remove these if you can reach them safely from a ladder.

These are temporary measures, not repairs. They buy you time until a professional can do a proper job. Do not leave a tarp in place for weeks. UV and wind will destroy it and it can cause more damage than the original problem.

Emergency Roof Repair Costs

Emergency call-out rates are higher than planned work, but not as steep as many people fear:

• Emergency call-out and temporary fix - £200 to £500 for a roofer to make the area watertight as a short-term measure.
• Tile replacement after storm - £200 to £600 depending on tile type and how many need replacing.
• Ridge tile rebedding - £200 to £500 for a section blown off in high winds.
• Temporary structural support - £400 to £800 if a tree branch has caused structural damage that needs stabilising before permanent repair.

Out-of-hours and weekend call-outs naturally cost more. If the damage is not actively letting water in, it may be worth waiting until Monday for a regular-rate appointment. Make sure to check credentials even in an emergency — rogue traders actively target storm-hit areas.

Dealing with Insurance for Storm Damage

Most standard home insurance policies cover storm damage to roofs. Here is how to handle the claim process:

• Report quickly - Contact your insurer within 24 to 48 hours if possible. Delays can complicate claims.
• Keep evidence - Photos, videos, weather reports and the roofer's assessment all support your claim.
• Get authorisation before permanent repairs - Your insurer may want to send their own assessor before you go ahead with work. However, they should not object to reasonable temporary measures to prevent further damage.
• Know your excess - Most policies have a storm damage excess of £100 to £500. For small repairs, it may not be worth claiming as it can affect your no-claims record.

Be aware that wear and tear is not covered. If your insurer decides the damage was caused by lack of maintenance rather than the storm itself, they may reject the claim. This is why regular roof maintenance is so important.