Emergency? If your roof is actively leaking or structurally damaged, call us immediately on
07376 660209 — we offer same-day emergency callouts across Warwickshire.
Step 1 — Stay Safe
Before anything else: do not go onto the roof yourself. This cannot be stressed enough. Wet roof tiles are extremely slippery, and storm-damaged roofs may be structurally compromised. Every year people are seriously injured attempting DIY roof inspections after storms. Leave the roof itself to professionals with the right equipment and insurance.
Step 2 — Check from the Ground
You can learn a lot from a careful visual inspection from ground level. Walk around the full perimeter of your property and look for:
- Missing tiles or slates — gaps in the roof surface are obvious from the ground
- Tiles that have slipped — look for tiles sitting at an angle or partially out of position
- Debris on the roof — branches, leaves or other material sitting on the surface
- Fallen chimney pots or ridge tiles — check the garden and around the base of the property
- Damaged or overflowing gutters — storm debris often blocks gutters, causing overflow
- Lifted flashings — the metal strips around chimneys and roof junctions can be lifted by wind
Step 3 — Check Your Loft
Go into the loft space and look for:
- Any new daylight visible through the roof structure
- Fresh damp patches on the felt underlay
- Water dripping or pooling on the loft floor
- Debris or leaves that have blown in through any gaps
Do this check within 24 hours of the storm if possible — the sooner you identify an ingress point, the less damage is done.
Common Types of Storm Damage in Warwickshire
- Missing tiles — the most common issue after high winds. Even a single missing tile creates an entry point for water.
- Lifted ridge tiles — the large tiles at the apex of the roof are vulnerable to wind. Loose mortar allows them to be lifted and shifted.
- Damaged flashings — lead or aluminium flashings around chimneys and roof junctions can be lifted or torn by strong gusts.
- Fallen chimney pots or stacks — older chimneys with failing mortar can partially or fully collapse in severe storms.
- Flat roof damage — storm debris can puncture flat roof membranes, and ponding water after heavy rain can stress older felt roofs.
- Blocked gutters — storm debris fills gutters, causing water to overflow and run down walls.
What to Do If You Find Damage
- Document everything — take photos from ground level of all visible damage. This is essential for any insurance claim.
- Protect the inside — place buckets under any active leaks and move valuables away from affected areas.
- Call a roofer promptly — don't wait to see if it gets worse. Call us on 07376 660209 and we'll attend as quickly as possible.
- Contact your insurer — most home insurance policies cover storm damage. Notify them promptly and ask about the claims process.
Insurance Claims — What to Know
Storm damage is typically covered under the buildings section of a home insurance policy. When making a claim:
- Report the damage to your insurer as soon as possible
- Keep all photos and any evidence of the storm (weather reports help)
- Get a professional written assessment — we can provide a detailed damage report to support your claim
- Don't carry out permanent repairs until the insurer has assessed the damage, but temporary weatherproofing is usually allowed
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