Staying safe first
A damaged roof can look alarming, but the most important thing is to keep people away from danger rather than to fix anything yourself. Stay off the roof and off ladders, whatever the weather is doing outside.
If part of the structure looks like it is sagging, cracking or could come down, or there is any sign of fire or exposed electrics, treat it as a genuine emergency and call 999. Everyday leaks and loose tiles are not that.
- Keep everyone, including pets, out of rooms below damaged roof areas or a bulging ceiling
- Do not climb onto the roof or use a ladder to inspect it, especially in wind or rain
- Do not touch a wet light switch or go near a consumer unit that is damp
- Only switch off the affected circuit at the consumer unit if it is dry and safely reachable; otherwise leave it to a qualified electrician
- Move people and belongings away from any area where debris could fall
What counts as an emergency
A hole from a fallen branch, tiles stripped off in a gale, a shifted chimney stack, or a ceiling visibly bulging with trapped water need prompt attention. A single slipped tile or a slow drip is a different situation, covered on our roof leaking page.
Requesting help
Call Lee on 07947 758052 and explain what has happened: where the damage is, how it occurred, and whether anything is currently exposed. This helps him plan the response, though calling does not guarantee a particular time or day for attendance.
A photo taken safely from the ground or an upstairs window is useful if you can get one without risk. You can also send details through our contact form if it is not urgent enough for a call.
Temporary protection versus a permanent repair
Where a roof has an open hole or missing section, a suitable tarpaulin roof cover may provide temporary protection when secured by someone competent to assess the damaged roof to keep rain out until a proper repair can be carried out. Fitting one safely in bad weather, at height, is not a job for anyone without the right equipment, and is best left to a roofer rather than attempted from a ladder.
A tarpaulin is only ever a stopgap. The permanent fix depends on what has failed, whether that is tiles and battens, a ridge, flashing or structural repair, and that work is assessed and quoted separately once it is safe to look properly.
What affects the cost of emergency work
There is no set price for emergency roofing work, as every job differs. What affects it includes how much of the roof is damaged, how high and accessible it is, whether scaffolding or extra support is needed to work safely, and whether timber, insulation or ceilings underneath have also suffered from water getting in.
Lee will explain what he finds and set out a written price before any repair work goes ahead, separate from any temporary cover that is put up first.
Need it sorted? Book a roof repair
Once the immediate danger is dealt with, book a roof repair or use our quote form so Lee can assess the damage properly and give you a written price for putting it right.
If water has already reached a ceiling inside, our water coming through ceiling page covers what to do indoors, and slipped and missing roof tiles explains tile damage that is visible but not urgent.