High winds and heavy rain can damage a roof in minutes, and the hours afterwards can feel stressful. This guide explains what to do straight away, how to keep your home and family safe, what to photograph and how home insurance claims for roof damage usually work in the UK. It is general guidance only, and every policy is different, so always check the details of your own cover.
Stay safe first
Never go onto the roof or climb a ladder to look at storm damage, especially in wind, rain or the dark. Wet tiles are slippery, loose materials can move without warning and gusts can knock you off balance.
Keep everyone, including pets, away from the area below any loose tiles, slates, ridge pieces or chimney pots. If a chimney or part of the roof looks unstable, stay out of the rooms beneath it and keep people away from that side of the house.
Quick steps indoors if the roof is leaking
Place buckets or containers under drips and move furniture, rugs and electrical items out of the way. If water is near a light fitting or electrics, switch off the electricity to that circuit at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so.
If a ceiling is bulging with water, keep clear of it. Where you can reach the loft safely, a bucket or sheet beneath the leak can limit the damage. Then call a roofer. Our emergency roof repairs service is available 24/7 on 07862 885143.
Get the roof made safe
The priority is to stop more water getting in and make loose materials safe. A roofer can secure or remove anything at risk of falling and put temporary weatherproofing in place, then inspect properly once it is safe and quote for the permanent repair.
Most insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so arranging an emergency repair quickly is usually sensible. Keep receipts and invoices for any emergency work. If you are near Ely, see our emergency roofer in Ely page.
Photograph everything
Clear evidence helps. Photograph the damage from the ground and from windows, including missing or slipped tiles, fallen ridge pieces, damaged flashing and debris in the garden. Inside, photograph water stains, damaged ceilings and affected belongings as soon as you notice them.
Note the date and time of the storm and when you first saw the damage. Keep any broken tiles or materials that have fallen, as they can help show what happened.
How roof insurance claims usually work
Insurers typically look at two things: whether there was a storm, and the condition of the roof beforehand. A storm usually means unusually high winds or very heavy rain, and insurers may check weather records for your area around the date of the damage.
Many policies exclude wear and tear and gradual deterioration. If a roof was already in poor condition, an insurer may decide the storm simply exposed an existing problem. Contact your insurer early, check your policy wording and excess, and ask whether they want to send an assessor before permanent repairs begin.
After the repair: reducing the risk next time
Once the roof has been put right, it is worth thinking about the weak points that storms tend to find. Loose ridge tiles bedded in old mortar, verges that have lost their pointing, slipped tiles left unrepaired and lifted flashing are all common starting points for wind damage. Fixing those early makes it far less likely that the next storm will cause problems.
Modern dry ridge and dry verge systems are mechanically fixed and do not rely on mortar, which makes them a sensible upgrade on exposed roofs. Regular checks from the ground, especially before winter, also help. Keeping gutters clear means heavy rain drains away instead of overflowing into walls and soffits.
If your roof has been repaired more than once after storms, ask for an honest view on its overall condition. Sometimes a wider repair or a re-roof is better value than repeated emergency call-outs, and it also puts you in a stronger position with your insurer, because the roof is clearly well maintained. Our guide to the signs your roof needs repair explains what to look for.
How a roofer's report can help
A written description from a roofer, with photographs, can support your claim by showing what was damaged and what was needed to put it right. DJW Roofing & Leadwork can provide photos and a written description of the damage we find and the repair we carry out, which you can pass to your insurer.
We cannot promise how an insurer will decide, but clear information makes the process easier. For more on wind and water damage, see our storm damage and roof leaks page. All of our work is fully insured and guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go on the roof to check storm damage?
No. Never go onto the roof or up a ladder after a storm. Check from the ground or a window and call a roofer.
Does home insurance cover storm damage to a roof?
Many policies cover sudden storm damage, but they often exclude wear and tear and gradual deterioration. Check your own policy and contact your insurer early.
Can I get the roof repaired before the insurer visits?
Emergency work to make the roof safe and prevent further damage is usually expected. Keep receipts and photos, and ask your insurer before permanent repairs begin.
What should I photograph after storm damage?
Photograph damage outside from the ground, any fallen materials, and internal stains or damaged ceilings and belongings. Note the date and time.
Can DJW provide a report for my insurer?
Yes. We can provide photos and a written description of the damage we find and the repair we carry out.