A leaking or damaged roof can quickly become a serious problem, particularly during heavy rain, strong winds or storms. Water entering a property can damage ceilings, insulation, plasterwork, electrics, flooring and belongings, so arranging professional help as quickly as possible can help prevent further damage.
iProTrades helps homeowners, landlords and businesses find emergency roofers near them for urgent roof leaks, storm damage, missing tiles, damaged flat roofs, chimney problems and other roofing emergencies.
Tell us what's happened, enter your postcode and upload photographs where possible. You can compare up to 3 quotes from local roofing contractors and find a roofer suitable for your emergency repair.
What Is Considered a Roofing Emergency?
A roofing problem can become an emergency when it allows significant water into the property, creates a safety risk or leaves the building exposed to further damage.
Common roofing emergencies include:
Severe roof leaks
Storm-damaged roofs
Missing or broken roof tiles
Slipped or damaged slates
Leaking flat roofs
Damaged flashing
Chimney damage
Loose or falling masonry
Damaged ridge or hip tiles
Fallen branches damaging a roof
Rooflight leaks
Damaged gutters or roof drainage
Sections of roof covering becoming detached
Structural roof damage
Not every roof defect requires immediate emergency attendance, but problems involving active water ingress, unstable materials or significant storm damage should be assessed promptly.
What Should I Do If My Roof Is Leaking?
If water is entering your property, the first priority is protecting people and the inside of the building.
Where it is safe to do so:
Move furniture and valuable belongings away from the leak
Use containers to catch dripping water
Protect flooring and furnishings
Take photographs of the damage
Keep children and pets away from affected areas
Contact a roofing contractor
Contact your insurer if significant damage has occurred
Do not climb onto the roof yourself, particularly during rain, high winds, darkness or icy conditions.
If water is entering near electrical fittings, lights or wiring, avoid touching affected electrical equipment and seek appropriate professional assistance.
A ceiling that has absorbed significant amounts of water can also become unstable, so avoid standing directly underneath visibly bulging or badly saturated areas.
Emergency Roof Leak Repairs
Roof leaks are one of the most common reasons homeowners need an emergency roofer.
Water can enter through relatively small defects and travel through the roof structure before appearing inside the property. This means the damp patch on a ceiling isn't necessarily directly below the point where the roof has failed.
Possible causes include:
Broken or missing tiles
Slipped slates
Failed flashing
Damaged valleys
Defective ridge or hip details
Cracked roof coverings
Flat roof membrane failure
Damaged rooflights
Chimney defects
Blocked or defective drainage
Storm damage
An experienced roofer should inspect the affected area and try to identify the source of the water before recommending a repair.
Emergency Roof Repairs After Storm Damage
Strong winds and severe weather can cause sudden damage to roofs.
Tiles and slates can become displaced, ridge tiles can loosen, flashing can lift and branches or other debris can damage roof coverings.
Some storm damage is immediately obvious, while other defects may only become apparent when heavy rain follows.
Following severe weather, look from ground level for obvious signs such as missing tiles, displaced materials or debris around the property.
Avoid climbing onto the roof yourself to investigate.
Where damage has left the property exposed, an emergency roofer may initially need to make the area temporarily weatherproof before permanent repairs can be completed safely.
Missing and Broken Roof Tiles
A single missing roof tile doesn't always result in immediate water ingress, but it can expose the roofing membrane and surrounding structure to the weather.
The urgency depends on the roof construction, position of the missing tile and current weather conditions.
Several missing tiles, exposed underlay or water already entering the property should be dealt with promptly.
A roofer can inspect the surrounding area as well as replacing the visibly damaged tile, because nearby tiles or fixings may also have been affected.
Emergency Slate Roof Repairs
Slate roofs can suffer storm damage, slipped slates, broken slates and failed fixings.
A slipped slate can expose the roof beneath and potentially allow rainwater to enter.
Repairs should use appropriate materials and fixing methods for the existing roof.
Older slate roofs may also have more widespread deterioration, so where several slates have started slipping, it can be worth assessing the overall condition of the roof rather than repeatedly treating individual symptoms.
Emergency Flat Roof Repairs
A leaking flat roof can quickly allow water into the roof deck, insulation and internal ceilings, particularly during prolonged or heavy rain. If you notice active water ingress, damp patches, dripping ceilings or standing water around a damaged area, arrange an inspection as soon as possible.
Emergency flat roof specialists can investigate leaks affecting a wide range of roofing systems, including:
GRP fibreglass roofs
EPDM rubber roofs
High-performance felt roofs
Warm roof systems
Cold roof systems
Garage flat roofs
Extension flat roofs
Dormer roofs
Commercial flat roofs
Common causes of emergency flat roof leaks include split or damaged membranes, failed joints, cracked GRP, deteriorated felt, defective flashing, blocked outlets, rooflight leaks, damaged edge trims and areas of standing or ponding water.
Where conditions allow, a contractor may be able to complete a permanent localised repair. During severe weather, temporary weatherproofing may be necessary to reduce further water ingress until a permanent repair can be safely completed.
If the flat roof has widespread deterioration, repeated leaks or damage to the underlying roof deck, complete replacement may eventually be more economical than continuing with individual repairs.
For more information about the different systems available, see our Flat Roofing guide or find Flat Roof Specialists Near You through iProTrades.
Emergency Chimney Repairs
Chimneys are particularly exposed to wind and rain and can develop problems with brickwork, mortar, pots, flaunching and flashing.
Potential emergency chimney problems include:
Loose bricks
Falling masonry
Damaged chimney pots
Failed flashing
Severe water ingress
Storm damage
Unstable chimney components
Loose masonry can create a serious safety risk to people and property below.
If parts of a chimney appear unstable, keep people away from the affected area and arrange a professional assessment.
Emergency Leadwork and Flashing Repairs
Lead flashing and other weatherproofing details protect vulnerable junctions between different parts of a roof.
Problems can develop around:
Chimneys
Roof-to-wall junctions
Valleys
Dormers
Rooflights
Parapet walls
Loose, split or deteriorated flashing can allow substantial amounts of water into the roof during heavy rain.
Depending on the condition of the existing materials, the solution may involve local repairs or replacement of defective sections.
Emergency Rooflight and Skylight Leaks
Water appearing around a rooflight doesn't necessarily mean the window itself has failed.
Leaks can also be caused by surrounding flashing, roofing materials, drainage details or defects higher up the roof.
A roofer should inspect the surrounding roof as well as the rooflight to determine where the water is entering before recommending replacement.
Temporary Emergency Roof Repairs
Sometimes it isn't safe or practical to complete a permanent repair immediately.
Heavy rain, high winds, darkness or the extent of the damage may prevent certain roofing work from being carried out safely.
In these situations, a roofer may be able to carry out temporary weatherproofing designed to reduce further water ingress until permanent repairs can be completed.
Temporary work should not be mistaken for a permanent repair. Ask the contractor what further work will be required and when it can safely be undertaken.
Can Roofers Work in Heavy Rain or Strong Winds?
Roofing contractors have to consider working-at-height safety as well as the urgency of protecting the property.
Severe weather can make roof access unsafe and can also prevent certain roofing materials from being installed correctly.
A contractor may therefore need to make the property safe or temporarily weatherproof before returning in suitable conditions to complete permanent repairs.
A genuine emergency does not mean a roofer should take unsafe risks.
Emergency Commercial Roof Repairs
Roofing emergencies also affect commercial properties, shops, offices, schools, warehouses and other buildings.
Commercial roof failures can potentially disrupt business operations as well as damaging stock, equipment and internal finishes.
Depending on the building, emergency work may involve flat roofing systems, pitched roofs, gutters, rooflights, leadwork or other waterproofing details.
For larger commercial roofs, choose a contractor with appropriate experience, access equipment and insurance for the work involved.
How Quickly Can an Emergency Roofer Attend?
Response times vary between contractors and depend on location, existing workload, weather conditions and the nature of the emergency.
During severe storms, roofing contractors can receive large numbers of emergency calls at the same time.
When requesting help, provide:
Your postcode
A description of the problem
When the leak or damage started
Whether water is actively entering the property
Photographs or video where safe
The approximate type and height of the property
This information can help a contractor understand the urgency and equipment that may be required.
iProTrades does not guarantee a particular attendance time. Individual roofing contractors will confirm their own availability.
How Much Does an Emergency Roofer Cost?
The cost of an emergency roof repair depends on the problem, access requirements, materials, time required and whether temporary or permanent repairs are needed.
Factors affecting the price can include:
Type of roof
Extent of damage
Roof height
Scaffolding or specialist access
Replacement tiles or slates
Leadwork
Flat roofing materials
Timber or decking damage
Time required
Follow-up permanent repairs
A small accessible repair will normally cost considerably less than significant storm or structural damage.
Where possible, ask the contractor to explain the proposed work and price before repairs begin.
Will Home Insurance Cover Emergency Roof Repairs?
Buildings insurance may cover certain types of sudden roof damage, particularly where the cause is an insured event such as a storm, but policies and exclusions vary considerably.
Damage caused by gradual deterioration, lack of maintenance or general wear and tear may be treated differently.
If you believe you may need to make an insurance claim:
Photograph the damage
Keep relevant invoices and receipts
Record when the damage occurred
Avoid disposing of evidence unnecessarily
Contact your insurer promptly
Follow the insurer's claims procedure
Your insurer can confirm what is covered under your individual policy.
Should I Get More Than One Quote for an Emergency Roof Repair?
When water is actively entering a property, preventing further damage may be more important than obtaining several quotations before any action is taken.
However, where the property has been made safe and significant permanent work is required, comparing quotations can be sensible.
This is particularly relevant if an emergency visit identifies the need for a complete flat roof replacement, extensive chimney rebuilding or major roof repairs.
Make sure each quotation clearly distinguishes between temporary emergency work and permanent repairs.
What Should an Emergency Roofing Quote Include?
For anything beyond a very minor repair, the quotation or written scope should make clear what the roofer proposes to do.
Depending on the problem, this might include:
Emergency weatherproofing
Removal of damaged materials
Replacement tiles or slates
Membrane repairs
Timber repairs
Leadwork
Chimney repairs
Flat roof repairs
Scaffolding or access equipment
Waste removal
Permanent follow-up work
Guarantees where applicable
It should also make clear whether the work being carried out is temporary or permanent.
Choosing an Emergency Roofer Near You
Roofing emergencies can make homeowners feel pressured to make a quick decision, but you should still take reasonable precautions when choosing a contractor.
Where circumstances allow, check:
Relevant roofing experience
Customer reviews
Appropriate insurance
Previous work
Written quotations
What work is being proposed
Whether the repair is temporary or permanent
Guarantees where applicable
Be cautious about agreeing to extensive additional work purely because somebody says the entire roof needs replacing following an emergency call-out.
For major repairs or replacement, ask the contractor to explain the defects and, where practical, provide photographs.
Preventing Future Roofing Emergencies
Not every roofing emergency can be prevented, particularly damage caused by severe weather, but regular maintenance can identify problems before they become more serious.
Consider having issues investigated if you notice:
Slipped or cracked tiles
Loose ridge tiles
Deteriorating mortar
Damaged flashing
Blocked gutters
Ponding water on flat roofs
Damaged roof edges
Signs of damp internally
Deteriorating chimney brickwork
Repeated minor leaks
Addressing smaller defects early can reduce the likelihood of extensive water damage later.
Find an Emergency Roofer Near You
If your roof is leaking or has been damaged by severe weather, iProTrades can help you find emergency roofers near you.
Enter your postcode, explain what has happened and upload photographs where it is safe to do so. Clear photographs can help contractors understand the type and severity of the problem before responding.
Whether you have a leaking pitched roof, damaged flat roof, missing tiles, slipped slates, chimney damage, failed flashing or storm damage, you can use iProTrades to find local roofing contractors and compare up to 3 quotes.
For immediate safety risks involving electricity, fire, structural collapse or danger to people, contact the appropriate emergency service or qualified professional rather than attempting to access or repair the roof yourself.