How to Tell If Your Roof Has Storm Damage

Why Storm Damage Is Harder to Spot Than You'd Think

After a heavy storm passes through North Walsham, most homeowners step outside, see no fallen slates in the garden, and assume the roof is fine. That assumption causes more problems than the storm itself. Plenty of serious damage — slipped tiles, cracked ridge mortar, lifted flashing — is invisible from street level and only becomes obvious months later when water starts finding its way through.

North Norfolk gets a particular battering from weather rolling in off the North Sea. Coastal and near-coastal villages like Mundesley and Bacton regularly see gusts that would be classed as damaging storms further inland. Even well-built properties with clay or concrete tiles can suffer lifted or dislodged components after a sustained gale. Knowing what to look for — and what to do about it — can save you several thousand pounds in avoidable repair bills.

Checking From the Ground: What to Look For

You don't need to get onto the roof yourself. A pair of binoculars and a slow walk around the perimeter of your property will reveal a lot. Focus on these areas:

• Missing or displaced tiles and slates — even one gap is enough to let water in. Look along the roof plane for any patches that look darker or textured differently from the rest.
• Ridge and hip tiles — these sit at the apex of the roof and are pointed in place with mortar. Storm winds prise them loose more readily than flat tiles. Look for any that are sitting crookedly or have gaps at the joints.
• Lead flashing — the strips of lead that seal joints around chimney stacks, skylights and roof abutments. High winds can lift the edges. If you see any metal sheeting that appears to be curling away from the brickwork, that needs attention quickly. Our lead work service covers exactly this kind of repair.
• Chimney stacks — look for visible cracks in the brickwork or a leaning stack. Storm-force winds put real lateral pressure on tall stacks, particularly on older properties where the lime mortar has weathered. If the stack looks unstable, keep clear and call a roofer the same day.
• Gutters and fascias — check for sections that have pulled away from the roofline or are visibly sagging. Blocked or detached gutters after a storm can lead to water pooling against the fascia board and rotting it from the outside in. Our fascias, soffits and guttering team can assess and replace damaged sections.

Inside the House: Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

Storm damage doesn't always show itself on the roof surface. Sometimes the first real clue is inside your home. After any significant storm, go into your loft space with a torch and look for:

• Wet patches or damp timber on the rafters or sarking felt
• Daylight visible through the roof structure — even a pinhole of light means a gap exists
• Water staining on the felt that wasn't there before the storm
• Any smell of dampness that wasn't present previously

Wet insulation is easy to miss by touch alone; compress it in a few places and check whether it feels heavier or colder than usual. Saturated mineral wool loses almost all of its thermal value and will need replacing if the leak isn't caught quickly.

In the rooms below, keep an eye on ceiling plasterwork in the days following a storm. A small damp patch that dries out and leaves a tide mark is a strong indicator that water got in, even if you can't see the entry point from above.

Flat Roofs Need Particular Attention After a Storm

Many North Walsham homes have flat-roofed extensions, garages or bay window roofs. These are more vulnerable to storm damage than pitched roofs because standing water after heavy rain exposes any weakness in the membrane. After a storm, walk around and check for:

• Blistering or bubbling in felt or GRP surfaces
• Any edges or trims that have peeled back
• Ponding water that hasn't drained within 48 hours

A flat roof that was already marginal before a storm will almost certainly fail after one. If yours is more than ten to fifteen years old and hasn't been inspected recently, a survey is worth arranging. You can find out more on our flat roofing page.

What to Do If You Suspect Storm Damage

Don't leave a suspected leak over winter to see if it gets worse — it will. Water that gets into roof timbers promotes rot and can compromise the structural integrity of the roof deck. A repair that costs a few hundred pounds in the autumn can easily become a full roof replacement costing several thousand if left untreated.

If your property is insured, photograph any visible damage from the ground before you call anyone. Most insurers require evidence that the damage is storm-related rather than pre-existing wear, so documentation matters. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors advises homeowners to use a registered contractor for any insurance-related roof work to ensure repairs are properly documented and warranted.

Do not attempt to access the roof yourself. Wet tiles and slates are extremely slippery, and the risk of a fall is serious. A qualified roofer will carry out a full inspection safely and give you a written report you can pass to your insurer if needed.

If you're in North Walsham or the surrounding villages — including Stalham, Worstead and beyond — and you think your roof may have taken storm damage, get in touch with us for a free local survey. We'll inspect the roof properly, tell you exactly what we find, and give you a clear, honest quote for any work needed.

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