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Terrace roof with displaced slates after a gale and a fallen branch

After the storm

Storm damage roof repair in Leicester, step by step

High winds and heavy rain can shift tiles, damage ridges and break gutters. Here is what to do and how we put it right.

  • Wind-lifted tiles and ridges
  • Fallen branches and chimney damage
  • Photos and notes for your insurer

Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

What counts as storm damage to a roof?

In the East Midlands, storm damage is mostly about wind and water. Autumn and winter gales can lift tiles, snap ridge mortar and loosen chimney pots. Falling branches can crack tiles and bend gutters. Heavy rain finds any weakness, and occasionally hail leaves cracks in older tiles, fibre cement sheets or flat roof coverings.

Some damage is obvious, such as tiles on the lawn. Some is hidden. A lifted tile can slide back into place and still let water in, and a storm can leave a crack in a flashing that shows up weeks later as a stain on the ceiling. If the weather has been rough, it is worth checking even if nothing looks wrong.

What should I do first after a storm?

Keep yourself safe before you worry about the roof. Do not climb onto a wet or windy roof, and keep away from any fallen cables. Then follow these steps:

  1. Look from the ground, with binoculars if you have them, and note slipped tiles, missing ridge tiles or damaged chimneys.
  2. Take dated photographs from the ground and, where safe, of any damage inside.
  3. Move belongings away from any area that is leaking and put out buckets.
  4. Contact your insurer if you plan to claim, and ask what they need.
  5. Call a roofer to look at it properly and, if needed, to make it safe or weatherproof.

Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door after a storm with a quick offer of cheap repairs.

How do you repair storm damage on a roof?

The right repair depends on what has failed. Typical jobs include refixing or replacing tiles and slates, re-bedding ridges and hips, replacing lead flashings, rebuilding damaged chimney pots and capping, and fitting new fascias, soffits and guttering. On a flat roof it may mean patching a torn membrane or replacing a section of GRP or EPDM.

If damage is serious, a temporary cover may be fitted first so the property stays dry while a full repair is arranged. If many tiles are damaged across a slope, we will talk through whether a bigger repair or a full roof replacement makes more sense. For smaller faults, our roof repair page covers the usual fixes.

Storm repairs are priced like any other roof work. The cost depends on the extent of the damage, the height and access, the materials needed and whether scaffold is required. Matching old tiles or slates can take time and affect the final figure.

Timing depends on the weather and on how many properties in the area need work. After a big storm, roofers are busy and materials can be short, so waiting is sometimes unavoidable. We will give you an honest idea of when we can attend and what can be done in the meantime, and we will not make promises we cannot keep.

If you are claiming on insurance, ask your insurer whether they have a preferred process and what evidence they need before work starts.

Can I claim storm damage on my insurance?

Many home insurance policies cover storm damage, but the terms differ. Insurers usually distinguish between sudden damage caused by a storm and gradual wear and tear. An old roof that fails in a mild breeze may not be covered, while one damaged by a named storm often is. Read your policy wording and speak to your insurer.

Good records help. Photos taken before and after, a written description of the damage and a quote from a roofer all support a claim. We can provide a written description and photographs for work we inspect. Return to the Leicester roofing home page for more on what we do.

What you can expect

  1. Clear communication

  2. Free inspections

  3. Written estimates

  4. Local crew

Request storm and hail damage

Tell us what you need and we call you back.

No obligation.

Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

Questions about roofing in Leicester

How do I know if my roof has storm damage?

Look for tiles or slates on the ground, gaps on the roof, loose or missing ridge tiles, a leaning chimney pot, and bent or hanging gutters. Inside, look for new damp patches on ceilings and in the loft. Some damage is hidden, so if the storm was severe it is worth having the roof checked even when nothing is obvious.

Can you fit a temporary cover over a damaged roof?

Where it is safe to do so, a temporary cover or tarpaulin can stop water entering until a proper repair is arranged. It needs to be fixed securely or the wind will take it. We will tell you whether a temporary measure is practical for your roof and how long it should be left in place.

Does hail damage roofs in Leicester?

Hail is less common here than in some countries, but it does fall. It can crack older tiles, fibre cement sheets and brittle roof lights, and can damage flat roof coverings. Wind and falling branches are the more usual storm problems. If you think hail has hit your roof, photograph it and have it checked.

What should I do if a branch or tree has fallen on my roof?

Keep clear and do not try to move a large branch yourself. Look for damage from a safe distance and check inside for leaks. Contact your insurer and a roofer. Heavy branches can break rafters as well as tiles, so the structure should be checked before the area is repaired and covered.

Will my insurer pay for the repair?

It depends on the policy and the cause of the damage. Sudden damage from a storm is often covered, while wear and tear is not. Keep photographs and all paperwork, and ask your insurer about excesses and approved repairers. We can supply a written description of what we find to support your claim.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Call or request a quote

    Tell us what is happening with the roof.

  2. Step 2

    Free inspection

    A roofer checks the roof and gives a written price.

  3. Step 3

    Work done right

    Clean crew, nail sweep, warranty in writing.

Ready when you are

Call now or request a quote online.

0116 496 0168

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