Storms move fast, and roof damage can happen well before you notice it — a gust catches a loose tile, or driving rain finds a weak point in the flashing, and suddenly you’ve got water coming through the ceiling. Here’s a clear, practical guide to what to do next, whether you’re in a Victorian terrace near Ladywell or a modern flat close to Lewisham town centre.
First, Check for Immediate Safety Issues
Before anything else, check whether the damage poses any immediate risk — a sagging ceiling, exposed wiring near water, or debris that’s come loose and could fall. If anything feels unsafe, keep people and pets out of the affected area and, if needed, turn off electricity to that part of the property at the consumer unit.
Contain the Water
If water is actively coming through, place a bucket or container underneath and move any furniture, electronics or belongings away from the area. If a ceiling looks like it’s bulging or holding water, it’s sometimes safer to carefully pierce it with something like a screwdriver to let the water drain in a controlled way, rather than let it collapse unpredictably — though if you’re at all unsure, it’s better to wait for a professional.
Don’t Go Onto the Roof Yourself
It’s tempting to want to inspect or fix the damage immediately, but a storm-damaged roof is not the place for a DIY repair, particularly in continuing wind or rain. Loose tiles, wet surfaces and unstable sections make this genuinely dangerous work — this is exactly what our emergency roof repairs service is for.
Document the Damage
Once it’s safe to do so, take photos of any visible damage from the ground and from inside the property — this is useful both for your roofer and for any insurance claim. Note the date and, if you know it, roughly when the damage happened.
Call a Roofer as Soon as Possible
The sooner a proper repair happens, the less additional damage occurs. Even a temporary covering over exposed areas can make a real difference while a permanent roof repair or tile replacement is arranged. If the damage involves guttering or a chimney, see our guttering & fascia repairs and chimney repairs services.
Check Your Insurance Policy
Most home insurance policies cover storm damage, though it’s worth checking your specific policy for any excess or exclusions. Having photos and a clear description of what happened, along with a repair quote, makes the claims process considerably smoother.
Check the Wider Roof, Not Just the Obvious Damage
Storm damage isn’t always limited to the area where you first notice a problem. Wind can lift or loosen tiles across a wider area than where the leak actually appears, so it’s worth having the whole roof checked, not just the specific spot that’s leaking — a proper roof inspection covers exactly this.
After the Repair, Consider Prevention
Once the immediate damage is sorted, it’s worth thinking about whether regular roof maintenance could help catch loose tiles or weak flashing before the next storm turns them into a bigger problem. Roofs that are already slightly worn tend to suffer more storm damage than well-maintained ones.
We’re Here When You Need Us
Storm damage doesn’t wait for convenient hours, and neither do we. If you’re dealing with storm damage anywhere across Lewisham, call us on +442046383352 and we’ll get someone out to assess and fix the problem as quickly as possible.
