When a storm blows through Berkshire, the first question most homeowners ask is whether the roof has come off worse. This storm damage roof repair guide walks you through what to check safely from the ground, what to do straight away and when it is time to get a free quotation.
With forecasters warning of a super El Niño winter, it pays to know what to look for before the next band of heavy rain arrives. Keep an eye on the latest Met Office weather warnings too. If you live in Wokingham, Reading or Bracknell, this guide is written for you.
Safety first: stay off the roof
Wet tiles, loose slates and high winds make a roof one of the most dangerous places to be after a storm. Never climb up to inspect it yourself. You can learn a lot from the ground and from inside the house.
- Use binoculars or the zoom on your phone to look at the roof from a safe distance.
- Keep people and pets away from any area where tiles, branches or guttering may fall.
- Stay well clear of any fallen branches that are touching cables or power lines.
- If anyone is in danger, call 999.
Signs of storm damage you can spot from the ground
- Slipped, cracked or missing tiles or slates. Look for gaps, or tiles sitting at an angle compared with their neighbours.
- Shifted ridge tiles or crumbling mortar along the top of the roof and at the verges.
- Lifted or damaged lead flashing around chimneys, valleys and where the roof meets a wall.
- Guttering, fascias or soffits that have sagged, split or pulled away from the house.
- Debris on the roof, such as branches, which can hide further damage underneath.
- Flat roofs with split, lifted or bubbling surfaces, or water that is sitting in pools long after the rain has stopped.
Inside the house, check ceilings and the loft for fresh water stains, damp patches, drips or daylight showing through the roof. These are often the first sign that a storm has found a way in.
What to do straight after a storm
- Make everyone safe. Keep clear of damaged areas and fallen debris.
- Take dated photos from the ground. Pictures of the roof, guttering, fallen tiles and any water stains inside will help if you need to talk to your insurer.
- Limit the water indoors. Move furniture, use buckets for drips and protect floors until the roof can be looked at properly.
- Contact your insurer. Many home insurance policies cover storm damage, but terms vary, so check your policy and ask what they need from you.
- Book a free quotation with a local roofer. A roofer can see exactly what the storm has done and explain your options in plain language.
Be careful of anyone who knocks on your door offering to fix your roof on the spot after a storm. Take your time, ask for a written quotation and speak to a local company you can check.
Repair or replace? How to decide
Some storm damage is limited to one area, such as a few displaced tiles or a section of lead flashing. In that case, a targeted repair may be all your roof needs.
In other cases the storm has simply exposed a roof that was already near the end of its life. If the damage is widespread, the tiles are brittle with age, or you have had leaks before, a new roof may give you better value than paying for repair after repair. We will tell you honestly which makes sense for your home. You can read more about our new roof installation service, or see what a full job costs in our new roof price guide.
Roofline, flat roofs and leadwork after a storm
A storm does not only affect the tiles. Fascias, soffits and guttering take a beating from wind and heavy rain, and a damaged roofline lets water in where the roof meets the wall. See our fascias, soffits and guttering page for what we can do, or read our guide to fascia and soffit replacement in Berkshire.
Flat roofs and leadwork are also worth a look. Standing water, lifted edges and loose flashing are common after a storm. We work with high performance bitumen torch on flat roofing, so if you are in Reading, take a look at our flat roofing in Reading page.
Why Berkshire homeowners choose RM Roofing
- ✓35 years of roofing experience
- ✓Fully insured
- ✓Free quotations
- ✓Local to Wokingham, Reading and Bracknell
Whether you are looking for a roofer in Wokingham after a storm, or help with tiles, slate, flat roofing or leadwork in Reading or Bracknell, our team will talk you through your options in plain language.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go on the roof to check for storm damage?
No. It is unsafe, especially when the roof is wet. Check from the ground with binoculars or your phone camera, and look inside the loft and ceilings for signs of water.
Does home insurance cover storm damage to a roof?
Many policies do, but terms differ. Check your policy and speak to your insurer, and keep dated photos of the damage to support your claim.
How do I know if I need a repair or a new roof?
Limited damage on an otherwise sound roof can often be put right locally. Widespread damage, ageing tiles or repeated leaks may point towards a new roof. A free quotation from RM Roofing will show you what your roof needs.
Do you cover my area?
We work across Wokingham, Reading and Bracknell.
Get your free quotation after the storm
Don’t leave a damaged roof to get worse in the next downpour. Book your free quotation today at quote.rmroofing.co.uk or call 07766 985573.
