High winds, heavy rain, and storms can cause significant damage to roofs across Staffordshire and Cheshire — sometimes without you even realising it until the next downpour. If your roof has been damaged in a storm, here's exactly what to do, what to avoid, and how to get it repaired properly.
Step 1: Assess the Damage Safely
After a storm passes, your first instinct might be to climb up and have a look. Don't. Roof tiles can be loose, wet, and unstable — and a fall from a roof is serious. Instead:
- Walk around your property at ground level. Look for tiles or debris on the ground, displaced ridge tiles, damaged guttering, or any obvious gaps in the roofline.
- Check your loft. Go up safely and look for daylight coming through, damp patches on timbers, or water pooling on the loft floor.
- Check internal walls and ceilings. Damp patches, bubbling paint, or water stains near the top of walls usually indicate a roof leak.
- Take photographs. Document everything for your insurance claim.
Step 2: Prevent Further Damage
If water is coming in, contain it to prevent it spreading to other areas:
- Place buckets or containers under active leaks
- Move furniture and valuables away from affected areas
- If safe and accessible, place a tarpaulin over the damaged area from inside the loft — but do not attempt to get on the roof yourself
Your insurance policy typically requires you to take "reasonable steps" to prevent further damage. Containing the leak demonstrates this.
Step 3: Call a Local Roofer — Not a Storm Chaser
After every major storm, you'll see vans appear from out of nowhere offering to "fix your roof today." These are storm chasers — they travel from area to area, charge inflated prices, do poor-quality temporary repairs, and disappear. You'll never see them again when the repair fails six months later.
Use a local, established roofer. A company based in your area has a reputation to protect. They're accountable for their work and they'll still be here when you need them.
ArcLine Group covers Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, Congleton, Crewe, Nantwich, Macclesfield and all surrounding areas. We provide emergency storm damage response and aim to attend within 24 hours for active leaks.
Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company
Most buildings insurance policies cover storm damage. Here's what to know:
- Report the damage promptly. Most policies require notification within a reasonable timeframe.
- Keep all documentation. Photographs, the roofer's assessment, and quotes all support your claim.
- Get an independent assessment. Your insurer may send their own assessor, but having your roofer's written report gives you a clear picture of what's actually needed.
- Don't authorise work before checking your policy. Some policies require pre-approval for repairs above a certain value. Check your excess too — if the repair costs less than your excess, there's no point claiming.
We regularly work with insurance companies and can provide detailed repair reports, photographs, and quotes in a format that supports your claim.
What Does Storm Damage Repair Cost?
Storm damage repair costs vary hugely depending on the severity:
| Damage Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Replacing a few blown tiles | £150 – £400 |
| Ridge tile refixing | £200 – £600 |
| Emergency tarpaulin and temporary repair | £150 – £350 |
| Flashing repair | £300 – £800 |
| Partial re-roof (storm-damaged section) | £2,000 – £6,000 |
| Full re-roof after severe storm damage | £6,000 – £15,000+ |
These are guide prices for Staffordshire and Cheshire. We provide free, written quotes for all storm damage repairs.
Prevention: Protect Your Roof Before the Next Storm
The best defence against storm damage is a well-maintained roof. Regular inspections can catch loose tiles, deteriorating mortar, and weakened flashings before the next storm rips them off.
We offer annual roof health checks across the region. A 30-minute inspection can identify vulnerable areas and allow you to fix them proactively — saving you the stress, cost, and disruption of emergency repairs.
Need Emergency Roof Repair?
If your roof has been damaged in a storm, call us. We provide emergency response across Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, Congleton, Crewe and all surrounding areas in Staffordshire and Cheshire. We'll make your roof watertight, assess the full extent of the damage, and provide a clear repair plan. Call 01785 305 042 or 01260 603 458 — or fill in our emergency quote form online.
