Storm Damage Roof Repair — What to Do First

A significant storm can cause roof damage that ranges from a handful of displaced tiles to a large section of exposed roof that needs urgent attention. This guide covers what storm damage looks like, what to do in the immediate aftermath, when and why to call a roofer, and what a proper storm damage repair involves — as opposed to a temporary patch that simply delays the problem.

Storm-damaged roof in London — tiles displaced by wind requiring emergency roof repair

What storm damage does to a roof

Not all storm damage is immediately visible from the ground, and not all of it happens where you expect. Wind affects a roof differently depending on the direction, speed and the existing condition of the covering. Some common patterns of storm damage include:

Wind-lifted tiles and slates

High wind gets beneath loose tiles and slates and lifts them — either dislodging them entirely or cracking them as they flex and drop back down. Tiles that have been sitting on deteriorating mortar bedding or on aged nibs are particularly vulnerable. The damage is most often visible at ridges, hips and verges, where the fixing is under most stress, but whole field sections of a roof can be affected if the covering was already near the end of its life.

Ridge and hip cappings displaced or lost

Ridge and hip tiles are often bedded in mortar that hardens and cracks over time. Once the mortar fails, the cappings are held on by friction and their own weight. A storm can lift and displace them significantly, leaving the ridge apex open to rain. Missing ridge tiles are one of the most common storm damage findings and one of the most urgent — the ridge is the highest point of the roof and one of the most exposed to water entry.

Felt torn at eaves and verges

The felt underlay beneath the tiles or slates is the secondary barrier against water entry. Where it is clipped, stapled or simply weighed down at eaves and verge edges, high wind can get beneath it and peel it back or tear it. This may not be visible from the outside but can allow substantial water entry even where the tiles themselves have not moved.

Chimney flashings lifted or displaced

Lead flashings around chimney stacks are attached by being driven into the mortar of the stack (chased in) and dressed down against the tiles or slates below. Where the mortar has hardened and cracked, or where the flashing was not properly fixed to begin with, wind can lift the lead, opening the junction between the stack and the roof covering. A displaced chimney flashing is a direct water entry point with every rain event.

Valley linings disturbed

Lead valley linings and mortar-bedded valley tiles can both be disturbed by storm conditions, particularly where the valley gutter was already showing signs of wear. A valley failure is one of the most damaging leak sources on a pitched roof because valleys concentrate a large volume of water from two roof slopes into a single channel.

Flat roof coverings lifted or torn

On flat roofs — extensions, garages, bay window tops — wind can get beneath the covering at perimeter edges and cause significant damage to EPDM, felt or asphalt sections. The edges and upstands on a flat roof are the most vulnerable points, and a storm can worsen what was already a borderline condition into an active leak situation.

Wind damage to roof covering — tiles displaced and ridge section exposed after storm

What to do immediately after storm damage

The immediate priority after a storm is understanding whether the roof has been breached and how urgently water is likely to get in. Here is a sensible sequence of actions:

Do not go onto the roof yourself. A wet, wind-damaged roof is dangerous. Loose tiles, displaced ridge cappings and wet felt can all lead to slips and falls. Assessment and any work on the roof should only be carried out by people with the right access equipment and training.
Check from the ground what has visibly come down. Tiles, slates, ridge sections or chimney pot material on the ground gives you a useful indication of where on the roof damage has occurred. Note the location relative to the chimney, ridge or verge so you can describe it when you call a roofer.
Check the loft space if it is safe to access. Fresh daylight visible through the roof from the loft, or fresh wet patches on the underside of the felt, confirms that the covering has been breached. Do not enter the loft if there is any risk of ceiling collapse from water accumulation.
Move belongings away from areas beneath the damaged roof section. Ceiling stains can become drips quickly once rain starts again. Protect flooring, furniture and any electrical equipment in the room below.
Contact your insurer if you believe storm damage is covered under your policy. Storm damage is typically covered under buildings insurance in the UK, but policies vary. Record evidence of the storm — news weather reports, dates, photographs — before any repair work is carried out. Some insurers will send their own loss adjuster to assess before approving a claim.
Call a roofer for an assessment. Even if the damage looks minor from the ground, a proper on-roof inspection is the only reliable way to understand what has happened. Damage that is not immediately visible — felt lifted at a verge, a flashing pulled away from a stack, tiles cracked rather than fully displaced — can still admit water with every rain event.

Why a proper survey matters more than a quick patch

One of the most common patterns after a storm event is that homeowners call the first roofer they find, who carries out a quick patch of the obviously displaced tiles and leaves. Three months later, or after the next significant storm, the same roof is leaking again — either from the original area or from a different section that was already weakened.

This happens because a quick patch addresses what is visible, not what is wrong with the wider roof. A proper storm damage assessment involves getting onto the roof and checking:

The condition of the remaining tiles or slates — whether they are secure, cracked or sitting on failing mortar
The state of the ridge and hip bedding across its full length, not just the displaced sections
Whether the felt underlay has been lifted, torn or displaced beyond the obviously damaged area
The condition of chimney flashings, valley linings and any other lead details on the roof
The overall condition of the roof — whether what the storm exposed is a covering that was already close to failure

This information determines whether the right response is a targeted repair, a partial re-roof of the affected section, or a full replacement of a covering that the storm has simply accelerated the failure of.

Storm damage and insurance claims

Storm damage to a roof is typically covered under standard buildings insurance policies in the UK. However, there are some important points to understand before making a claim:

The damage must be caused by the storm, not by pre-existing condition. Insurers will distinguish between a tile displaced by a specific storm event and a roof that has been deteriorating for years and has now failed. If the roof was already in a poor state of repair, the claim may be declined or contested.
Take photographs before any temporary repair work is done. Documented evidence of the damage — before any tiles are replaced or temporary covering is applied — supports a claim. Include photographs of the ground-level evidence (fallen tiles, ridge sections) and any internal evidence (ceiling stains, wet loft insulation).
A written report from a roofer helps substantiate the claim. An assessment report that details what was found, what caused it and what permanent repair is required is useful documentation for an insurer.
Temporary make-safe work is usually covered separately from permanent repair. Many policies cover the cost of emergency make-safe work to prevent further damage. Keep receipts and records of any work carried out urgently.

Storm damage repair versus full roof replacement

Whether storm damage can be repaired or whether it has exposed a roof that is best replaced depends on the overall condition of the covering. Storm damage is rarely the only problem — it usually reveals the pre-existing condition of the roof rather than creating damage to an otherwise sound structure.

A storm repair is the right approach where:

The overall covering is in reasonable condition and the damage is genuinely isolated to the storm-affected section
The underlay and batten beneath the damaged area are intact and not deteriorated
The ridge bedding, chimney flashings and valley linings across the rest of the roof are sound

A broader scope — partial or full re-roof — becomes the better recommendation where:

The storm damage has affected a large section of a roof that was already near or at the end of its covering life
The inspection reveals widespread failing mortar bedding at ridges and hips that have simply not yet been displaced
The covering is crumbling, porous or extensively cracked across more than the obviously damaged area
There is evidence of failed underlay, rotten battens or softened timber beneath the damaged section

The honest answer to whether a storm repair or a re-roof is the right recommendation comes from a proper inspection — not from a phone conversation or a ground-level look at what has come down.

Getting a storm damage roof repair in London and Surrey

We carry out storm damage assessments and emergency roof repair across London and Surrey. Our approach is a proper on-roof inspection before any quote, a written scope for the permanent remedial work, and clear advice on whether a repair or a broader replacement is the right outcome for the condition of the specific roof.

For urgent storm damage, call 020 8050 9286 or use our contact page. We cover the full London and Surrey area for emergency and remedial roofing on residential properties over £1,000.