Last updated: August 2026
You wake up after a heavy storm, look out the window, and see tiles in the garden. Or there's a wet patch spreading across the bedroom ceiling. Here's what to actually do, in order, from someone who deals with storm damage call-outs every winter.
What Should You Do Immediately?
Your First 30 Minutes
What Does Storm Damage Actually Look Like?
Some damage is obvious — tiles on the lawn, a section of ridge missing. But most storm damage is hidden, and that's where it causes the real problems:
Nail fatigue — tiles that haven't blown off but have lifted just enough for wind-driven rain to get underneath.
Lifted lead flashings — wind gets under chimney and wall abutment flashings, peeling them from the mortar joint. Water tracks in behind.
Ridge mortar cracking — the bedding mortar takes the worst of the wind. Even if the ridge tiles haven't fallen, they may be sitting loose.
Flat roof membrane lifting — high winds peel back edges, especially at upstands. Once the edge lifts, water gets underneath.
Guttering damage — blocked gutters overflow under heavy rain, saturating fascia boards. High winds can pull guttering away entirely.
Should You Claim on Insurance?
It depends on the extent and your excess. A few slipped tiles might cost £150–£300 to fix — often less than your excess. A full ridge replacement or large sections of missing tiles could run into thousands.
Your insurer will want photos taken as soon as possible, a written report from a roofer, and itemised quotes showing labour, materials, and scaffold costs separately. We provide written storm damage reports as part of our roof survey service.
What NOT to Do
Don't climb on the roof yourself. Wet tiles, broken battens, and debris make it genuinely dangerous.
Don't seal things with silicone. It traps water and makes the proper repair harder later.
Don't accept a "storm chaser" roofer. After every storm, unlicensed traders go door-to-door. They take a deposit and disappear.
Don't wait. A small leak becomes a big problem fast. Water tracks along timbers, soaks insulation, and causes rot.
How Fast Can We Respond?
We offer 24–48 hour emergency response for storm damage across Kent, Medway, and South East London. We make the roof safe first, then carry out a full inspection and provide a detailed quote.
Every repair comes with our IKON Integrity Guarantee. Call us on 01634 907 024.
Written by Jordan — Owner, IKON Roofing Ltd
18 years' hands-on roofing experience across Kent and South East London.