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The short answer

After a storm, look from safe positions for slipped slates or tiles, displaced ridge or hip details, damaged leadwork, loose gutters, damaged rooflights, water marks and debris around the property.

Do not climb onto the roof. The first priority is safety and factual evidence, then temporary risk reduction and permanent repair can be considered.

  • Stay off the roof.
  • Photograph visible damage from safe locations.
  • Record the date and weather context.
  • Contact the insurer where a claim may be considered.

Observable signs and uncertainty

Visible damage may not show the whole issue. A tile may have slipped because of fixing failure, a flashing may expose a hidden junction problem, and water can travel before appearing internally.

The inspection should separate confirmed observations from likely causes and remaining uncertainty.

  • Do not assume every mark is storm-caused.
  • Check repeated defects against maintenance history.
  • Record internal and external symptoms.
  • Expect access limits until the roof is safely inspected.
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Temporary measures and permanent repair

Temporary measures may reduce further water entry or make loose materials safer, but they are not the same as a permanent repair. The final scope should address the damaged detail and surrounding roof condition.

If insurance may be involved, keep photographs and ask the insurer what evidence or inspection they need before permanent work proceeds.

  • Keep temporary-work records.
  • Separate risk reduction from renewal.
  • Check adjoining details.
  • Confirm how variations are handled.

When wider renewal may be discussed

If storm damage exposes widespread weakness, repeated fixing failure, aged coverings or poor previous repairs, wider refurbishment may be more suitable than repeated local repair.

That decision should be condition-led and explained through survey findings, not assumed from the storm event alone.

  • Review surrounding roof condition.
  • Check fixings and junctions.
  • Consider repair history.
  • Use survey findings to choose the scope.

Checklist

Storm damage evidence checklist

Prepare factual observations for contractor and insurer conversations.

  • Date and approximate time of storm
  • Safe photographs of external damage
  • Internal water marks or affected rooms
  • Loose material or debris locations
  • Previous repair history
  • Insurer claim reference if available
  • Temporary measures taken
  • Access constraints and neighbour impacts

FAQs

Storm damage roof questions

  • No. Use safe viewpoints and arrange suitable assessment where needed.
  • Sometimes, if the defect is local and surrounding condition is sound. Wider weakness may need a broader scope.
  • If you may claim, contact the insurer promptly and keep factual evidence. Coverage depends on policy and assessment.
  • It can affect evidence if not recorded. Photograph damage and temporary measures, and follow insurer requirements where relevant.

Roof Repairs

Commercial service page for inspected roof defects and repair scope.

Roof Surveys & Inspections

Survey-led support before repair, renewal, insurer evidence or specification work.

Roof Refurbishments

Commercial service page for planned renewal, re-roofing and wider roof work.

Leadwork

Service page for flashings, valleys, parapets, gutters and roof junctions.

Prime London Refurbishments

Project context for access, protection and discreet delivery constraints.

Insurance & Compliance

Verified business information and responsibility boundaries.

Quality Standards

How ER Group London frames scope, checks, workmanship and handover.

Contact

Discuss a real property question after reviewing the general guidance.

Our Work

See evidence-backed roofing and refurbishment projects completed for residential clients.

Areas Covered

See the West London, Surrey and Elmbridge locations covered by our residential roofing and refurbishment work.

Are roof repairs covered by insurance?

Roof-repair cover depends on policy wording, the cause of damage, maintenance history and insurer assessment; ER Group London cannot decide or promise coverage.

Do I need a new roof?

You may need a focused repair, a roof refurbishment or a complete re-roof; age alone is not a diagnosis, and the decision depends on coverings, fixings, support, junctions, drainage and repeated defects.

Insights hub

Return to the full set of homeowner guidance.

General guidance only This article helps frame the decision. It cannot diagnose the condition, legal position, policy cover or technical design of a specific property.
Do not climb onto a storm-damaged roof Loose materials, unstable access and continuing weather can make inspection unsafe. Use safe photographs and professional assessment where needed.
Guidance note. This article is general storm-damage guidance. It is not emergency-response advice, insurance advice or a remote safety assessment.

Next Steps

Discuss storm-related roof damage safely

Share safe photographs, date and weather context, affected rooms and any insurer requirements before deciding the inspection or repair route.

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