A severe storm can cause serious damage to your roof in a matter of minutes. High winds, driving rain, hail, and falling debris are among the most common causes of unexpected roof damage across the United Kingdom, and without prompt action, even minor damage can quickly escalate into a far more costly problem.
Whether you have discovered cracked tiles, blocked gutters, or a fully exposed section of roof following a storm, it is important to know exactly what steps to take. This guide from Highgate Roofing walks you through what to do after a storm, how to assess the damage safely, and when to call in a professional roofing team.
1. Stay Safe and Do Not Attempt to Inspect the Roof Yourself
The first and most important thing to do after any storm is to prioritise your own safety. Wet roofs are extremely slippery, and any structural damage caused by the storm may mean that sections of your roof are genuinely unsafe. Fallen debris, damaged guttering, and dislodged tiles all present serious hazards.
Do not attempt to climb onto your roof to carry out an inspection, regardless of how minor the damage appears. Leave the physical inspection to a qualified professional who has the correct equipment and training to work at height safely.
Instead, carry out a careful visual inspection from the ground. Walk around the perimeter of your property and look for the following signs of storm damage:
- Missing, cracked, or dislodged roof tiles or slates
- Sagging or detached guttering and downpipes
- Visible gaps or holes in the roof surface
- Debris such as branches or broken tiles on the roof or in the garden
- Water stains or damp patches appearing on ceilings inside your home
- Damaged or displaced ridge tiles along the top of the roof
- Lifted or torn felt visible at the edges of the roof
2. Document the Damage as Thoroughly as Possible
Once you have completed a safe ground-level inspection, take clear photographs and video footage of all visible damage from as many angles as possible. This documentation is essential for two reasons: it assists your roofing contractor in assessing the extent of the work required before they attend, and it provides supporting evidence for any insurance claim you may need to make.
Make a written note of the date and time the storm occurred, the duration of the weather event, and each specific area of damage you have observed. Keep a record of any temporary measures you take to protect your property in the immediate aftermath, such as placing buckets under leaks or covering exposed areas with tarpaulin.
3. Contact Your Home Insurance Provider
If your roof has sustained storm damage, your home insurance policy may cover the cost of repairs. Contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the damage and begin the claims process. Most policies require storm damage to be reported promptly, so do not delay.
Your insurer may send a loss adjuster to assess the damage before approving your claim. Having your photographs, written notes, and a written professional roofing quote to hand will support your claim and help the process run as smoothly as possible.
Insurance policies vary considerably in what storm-related damage they cover. Some cover emergency repairs only, whilst others may include full replacement. Read your policy documents carefully and speak directly with your insurer to understand exactly what you are entitled to claim.
4. Arrange Emergency Roofing Repairs Without Delay
Storm damage should always be treated as an emergency roofing situation. Even where damage appears minor, a compromised roof can allow water to enter your property, leading to damp, mould, and structural damage that is far more expensive to rectify than the original roof repair would have been.
Contact a reputable local roofing contractor as soon as possible. Highgate Roofing offers emergency roofing appointments across North London and Yorkshire, responding quickly to ensure your property is made safe and weathertight without unnecessary delay.
When you call, be ready to describe what you have seen from your ground-level inspection and share your photographs if possible. A good roofing contractor will give you an initial assessment over the phone and advise on the urgency of the situation before arranging a visit.
5. Common Types of Storm Damage We See Across North London
Our roofing teams deal with a wide range of storm-related issues throughout the year. Here are the most common types of damage we encounter and what each typically involves:
Missing or Slipped Roof Tiles
High winds are the most common cause of missing or slipped roof tiles. When a tile becomes displaced, it leaves the underlayer of your roof exposed to the elements. Without prompt attention, this results in water ingress and damage to the roof deck and insulation below. Our roofers in Highgate are experienced in replacing missing tiles quickly and effectively, ensuring your roof is fully sealed and protected.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the metal strip that seals the joins between your roof and vertical surfaces such as chimneys, skylights, and walls. Storm damage can cause flashing to lift, crack, or pull away entirely, creating a direct pathway for water to enter your property. This type of damage is not always visible from the ground, which is why a professional post-storm inspection is so important.
Blocked or Damaged Guttering
Storms frequently deposit large volumes of leaves, twigs, and debris into gutters, causing blockages that prevent rainwater from draining away properly. Overflowing gutters cause water to run down exterior walls, leading to damp and structural damage over time. Our roofers in Finchley and across North London regularly attend storm call-outs involving guttering that has been blocked, bent, or completely detached by high winds.
Flat Roof Damage
Flat roofs are particularly vulnerable during storms. Sustained wind and rain can cause the roofing membrane to lift, split, or blister, allowing water to pool on the surface and eventually penetrate the roof structure. If you have a flat roof, it is worth having it inspected after any significant weather event, even where no obvious damage is visible from the ground.
Chimney and Ridge Tile Damage
Ridge tiles and chimney stacks are among the most exposed parts of any roof and are frequently damaged during storms. Mortar can crack and crumble, ridge tiles can become loose or fall away completely, and chimney pots can topple if they have not been properly secured. Our roofers in Islington deal with chimney and ridge tile repairs on a regular basis, particularly following the autumn and winter storms that affect North London each year.
6. Beware of Rogue Traders Following Storm Events
Storm events unfortunately attract opportunistic traders who knock on doors uninvited, claim to have spotted damage to your roof, and offer to carry out repairs on the spot for a cash payment. These rogue traders frequently carry out substandard work, overcharge significantly, or take a deposit and disappear without completing the job.
To protect yourself, follow these guidelines when selecting a roofing contractor after storm damage:
- Never accept an unsolicited door-to-door quote from a roofer you have not contacted yourself
- Always verify that the contractor is fully insured before any work begins
- Ask for a clear, written, itemised quote before agreeing to any repairs
- Look for contractors listed on reputable platforms such as Checkatrade, TrustATrader, or Yell
- Avoid paying the full amount upfront and never pay cash without a receipt
- Check online reviews from previous customers before committing to any contractor
Our roofers in Hornsey and across North London are fully insured, listed on multiple trusted review platforms, and always provide clear written quotes before beginning any work. We never knock on doors uninvited.
7. How to Protect Your Roof Until Professional Help Arrives
In some situations there may be a short delay before a roofing contractor can attend. In the meantime, there are sensible steps you can take to protect your home from further water ingress:
- Place buckets or containers beneath any active leaks inside your home to protect flooring and furnishings
- If safe to do so from ground level, place a waterproof tarpaulin over the damaged section to reduce water ingress
- Move valuable possessions away from areas where damp or leaking is occurring
- Switch off electrics in affected rooms if water may be coming into contact with wiring
- Avoid entering your loft space if you suspect structural damage to the roof
These measures are temporary and should never be treated as a substitute for professional repairs. Contact a qualified roofing contractor as soon as possible to have the damage properly assessed and repaired.
8. How Regular Roof Maintenance Reduces Storm Damage
Whilst it is impossible to prevent a storm, you can significantly reduce the risk and severity of storm damage by keeping your roof in good condition throughout the year. Roofs already weakened by age, worn mortar, loose tiles, or blocked gutters are far more vulnerable to storm damage than those that are regularly maintained.
We recommend homeowners arrange a professional roof inspection at least once a year, ideally in the autumn before the worst of the winter weather arrives. Our roofers in Haringey and the surrounding areas provide thorough annual roof inspection services, identifying and addressing minor issues before they develop into major problems.
Key maintenance tasks that help protect your roof ahead of storm season include:
- Clearing gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris before autumn
- Checking and repointing ridge tiles and chimney mortar where necessary
- Replacing cracked, missing, or slipping tiles before they create vulnerable areas
- Ensuring flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof junctions is intact and sealed
- Trimming overhanging tree branches that could fall onto the roof during high winds
- Having flat roofs inspected for blistering, pooling, or membrane damage before winter
9. Areas We Cover for Emergency Storm Damage Repairs
Highgate Roofing provides emergency storm damage roof repair services across North London and Yorkshire. Our teams are available for rapid response call-outs and attend most properties promptly following a storm event.
We cover all of North London including Highgate, Finchley, Islington, Hornsey, Haringey, Hampstead, Camden, Kentish Town, and many more. Our roofers in Wood Green provide emergency roofing services for homeowners and businesses across Wood Green and the surrounding streets.
We also cover roofers in Barnet, serving storm damage repairs across Barnet, East Barnet, New Barnet, and the wider Barnet borough.
Across Yorkshire, we cover Leeds, York, Castleford, Selby, Harrogate, Wakefield, Wetherby, Ripon, Pocklington, Goole, Huddersfield, and the surrounding areas.
10. Call Highgate Roofing for Storm Damage Roof Repair
If your property has been affected by storm damage, do not wait and hope the problem resolves itself. Roof damage always worsens over time, and the cost of delaying repairs is almost always greater than the cost of acting promptly.
Highgate Roofing provides professional storm damage roof repair services across North London and Yorkshire. Our experienced, fully insured roofing teams respond quickly to emergency call-outs and will assess and repair your roof to the highest standard using quality-approved materials.
We offer:
- Same-day and next-day emergency call-outs across North London and Yorkshire
- Free, no-obligation quotes on all storm damage repairs
- Full written reports to support your insurance claim where required
- NHS and military discounts available
- Listed and reviewed on Checkatrade, Yell, TrustATrader, and Trustpilot
Call us today on 0800 145 5537 (freephone) or email info@highgateroofing.com and a member of our team will get back to you promptly.
