Storm damage roof repairs in Norfolk

What storms typically do to a roof

Wind rarely strips a sound roof. It exploits what is already loose: a ridge with cracked bedding, verge tiles relying on old mortar, a slate whose nail has rusted, a flashing that has lifted at one end. Once one piece goes, the wind gets underneath its neighbours and the damage spreads. Driving rain then finds the gap.

• Tiles and slates blown off or displaced
• Ridge and hip tiles loosened or lost
• Lead flashings torn or lifted
• Flat roof coverings peeled back at the edges
• Gutters and trims pulled away

First, make it safe

If water is coming in or pieces of roof are loose above a path or road, the priority is to secure it. We carry out temporary weatherproofing where needed so the building is protected until a full repair can be done. Our emergency call-out service is advertised 24/7.

Please do not climb onto a storm-damaged roof yourself. Take photographs from the ground if you can safely do so, and keep people away from anything that might fall.

Then, a proper repair

Once the weather allows, we replace lost tiles or slates with matching ones, rebed or mechanically fix ridges and verges, re-dress or renew lead, and repair or replace damaged flat roof coverings. Where the storm has exposed a wider weakness, such as nail sickness across a slate roof, we explain that in writing so you can decide what to do.

Insurance

Storm damage is often covered by buildings insurance. We carry out insurance inspections and provide insurance-friendly reports with photographs, so your insurer has a clear account of the damage and the repair required. Whether a claim is accepted is up to them.

Reducing the risk before the next storm

Much storm damage starts with small faults that were already there. Ridge tiles on crumbling mortar, verges with gaps along the edge, flat roof trims that have come loose and slates held by rusted nails are all easy targets for the wind. Having them put right in calmer months costs far less than an emergency repair in the middle of winter.

If your roof took a battering this year, even without an obvious leak, a free inspection will show whether anything has shifted. Exposed coastal and open-country properties benefit most, as they take the full force of the weather coming off the sea and across the fields.

Describe the storm damage and the building below it

When calling about roof storm damage, distinguish water entering the building from loose material above a path and from damage visible only at an edge. Say which part of the property is affected and whether the opening appeared during wind or afterwards. That helps the enquiry address the immediate hazard as well as the permanent repair.

Keep photographs taken safely from the ground and record when the symptoms began. Do not climb up to gather evidence or move fallen pieces if doing so puts you below unstable roofing. A temporary covering and replacement of the damaged roof components are separate stages; their timing depends on conditions and safe access.

Wind, ice and the repair specification

Wind can lift tiles, disturb slates and open an edge detail that then admits driven rain. Check the proposed repair addresses the fixing or bedding that failed, not only the missing piece. Where failure extends beyond the storm opening, the written findings should explain the additional condition so you can distinguish immediate storm repair from wider renewal.

Freezing conditions can also contribute to damage: water in existing cracks can expand on freezing, while ice or snow may obstruct drainage. A leak noticed during a thaw therefore needs investigation rather than an assumption about one cause. Describe the weather sequence and affected roof section so the inspection can assess the covering, outlets and junctions together.

Common questions

Do you offer an emergency service?

Yes. Our emergency call-out service is advertised 24/7 for roofs letting in water or at risk after a storm.

Can you help with my insurance claim?

We carry out insurance inspections and provide insurance-friendly reports. The insurer decides on the claim.

Should I go up on the roof to check?

No. Photograph what you can from the ground and call us.

Can wind damage roof tiles?

Yes. Wind uplift can displace tiles and expose the roof beneath, particularly where fixings or bedding have deteriorated. Nearby tiles and details need checking as part of the repair.

Can an ice storm damage a roof?

Freezing water can worsen existing cracks and ice can obstruct drainage. The damage and repair depend on the actual covering and conditions; do not go onto an icy roof to investigate.