Leaking Roof in a Storm: What to Do

If your roof starts leaking in a storm, stay off the roof, contain the water indoors, keep it away from electrics and call a roofer. An emergency visit to make the roof watertight typically costs from around £100 to £500 across the UK, with out-of-hours and weekend call-outs costing more, and the permanent repair is usually priced separately once the weather clears.

A leak during heavy rain feels urgent, and it is, but most of the damage comes from water spreading through ceilings and walls over hours, not minutes. A few calm steps inside the house will protect your home while you get help.

First: keep yourself safe

Never climb onto a roof, or up a ladder to the roof, in wind and rain. Wet tiles and slates are slippery, gusts can knock you off balance, and falls from height are one of the most common causes of serious injury at home. Roof work in a storm is a job for a professional with the right equipment, and even they will often wait for a safe window.

Water and electricity are the other big risk:

If water is coming through or near a light fitting, ceiling rose or socket, don’t touch it or use that circuit.

If you can reach your consumer unit (fuse box) safely without standing in water, switch off the affected circuit, or the whole supply if you’re unsure which circuit it is.

If the consumer unit itself is wet, or you can’t reach it safely, leave it alone and call an electrician.

Step by step: what to do when the roof leaks during rain

1. Catch the water

Put buckets, bowls or a storage box under drips, with an old towel inside to stop splashing. Move furniture, rugs, electronics and anything valuable out of the way, or cover it with plastic sheeting.

2. Relieve a bulging ceiling

If a plasterboard ceiling is sagging with a bulge of water, it can come down suddenly. Keep people and pets out of the room. If you can do it safely from a stable stepladder, with the electrics off, a small hole in the lowest point of the bulge (with a bucket underneath) lets the water drain in a controlled way and can prevent a larger collapse. If you’re not comfortable doing this, close the door and keep everyone out.

3. Check the loft if it’s safe

If you have a boarded loft with good lighting and safe access, a quick look with a torch can show you where water is getting in. Put a bucket or tray under the drip and move stored items away. Only step on boards or joists, never on the plasterboard between them.

4. Take photos and notes for your insurer

Before you tidy up, photograph the water marks, the drip points, any damaged belongings and, from the ground or a window, any visible damage outside such as missing tiles or a fallen chimney pot. Note the date and time. Keep receipts for anything you spend on emergency measures. Most buildings insurance policies expect you to take reasonable steps to stop damage getting worse, so contact your insurer early. Many have a claims line that can arrange or approve an emergency roofer.

5. Temporary roof leak fix: only from the ground

A tarpaulin over the damaged area can buy time, but fitting one properly means working on the roof. Only cover something you can reach safely from the ground, such as a low flat roof on a single-storey extension or a porch, and only in calm conditions. For anything higher, wait for a roofer.

6. Clear what you can reach safely

Blocked gutters and downpipes can push water back under tiles or into walls. If a downpipe outlet at ground level is blocked with leaves, clearing it can help. Don’t go up a ladder to the gutters in bad weather.

Who to call for emergency roof repair

For a roof leak, call a roofer. Many offer emergency call-outs during and after storms, though demand spikes in bad weather, so you may need to wait. When you call, explain:

where the water is coming in (ceiling, wall, around a chimney or skylight)

what kind of roof you have (pitched tiles or slates, flat roof, or both)

whether anything is visibly damaged outside

whether there is any risk to electrics or a ceiling at risk of falling

If water has got into wiring or fittings, ask an electrician to check them before you use those circuits again.

What does an emergency roofer cost?

These are typical UK ranges and vary by job, access and area. Prices in Reading and the wider South East tend to sit towards the upper end, and out-of-hours, weekend and peak storm call-outs cost more.

Job

Typical UK range

Notes

Emergency call-out fee

£100 – £300

Often charged on top of the repair; higher at night, weekends and in storms

Temporary weatherproofing (tarp or sheeting)

£100 – £500

Makes the roof safe and watertight until a full repair

Replacing a few slipped or broken tiles

£150 – £600

Depends on tile type and how easy it is to reach

Flashing repair (chimney, wall or skylight)

£200 – £700

Lead or flashing around chimneys is a common storm leak point

Ridge tile re-bedding or repair

£250 – £700

Wind often loosens ridge tiles with old mortar

Flat roof patch repair

£200 – £700

Localised damage only; a failing flat roof may need replacing

Scaffolding or access equipment can add to the cost of higher or harder-to-reach roofs. Ask whether a quote includes VAT and disposal.

The follow-up repair

An emergency visit is usually about stopping the water, not fixing the roof for good. Once the weather settles, ask the roofer to inspect the whole roof and give you a written quote for the permanent repair. It’s worth getting more than one quote at this stage, because there’s no longer the same time pressure.

Also keep an eye on the inside. Wet insulation in the loft may need replacing, and a damp ceiling should be allowed to dry out fully before it’s repaired and redecorated. Stains that keep returning are a sign the leak hasn’t been fully fixed.

If your home is in the Reading area, our Reading area guide is a good place to start when you’re looking for local trades.

Getting quotes

For the permanent repair, a clear brief gets you comparable quotes:

Share your photos and describe where the water came in and when.

Mention the roof type, its rough age and any previous repairs.

Ask each roofer what they think caused the leak, what they’ll do to fix it, and whether that’s a repair or a replacement.

Check whether the price includes scaffolding, VAT and waste removal, and what guarantee comes with the work.

If you’re claiming on insurance, ask for an itemised written quote your insurer can review.

Getting three quotes helps you spot a price that’s out of line, and makes it easier to compare what each roofer is actually proposing.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first if my roof is leaking?

Keep safe, catch the water in buckets, move valuables, and keep water away from electrics, switching off the affected circuit if you can do so safely. Then call a roofer and let your insurer know.

How much does emergency roof repair cost?

Typically from around £100 to £500 for an emergency visit and temporary fix, depending on the damage, access and time of day. The permanent repair is usually quoted separately.

Can a roofer fix a roof leak during rain?

They can often put a temporary cover or patch in place, but many permanent repairs need dry conditions, and no roofer should work on a roof in dangerous wind. Expect a temporary fix first and the full repair later.

What is a good temporary roof leak fix?

A properly secured tarpaulin or sheeting over the damaged area, fitted by a roofer. Only cover areas you can reach safely from the ground yourself, and never go onto the roof in a storm.

Will my insurance cover a leaking roof?

Many buildings insurance policies cover sudden storm damage, but often exclude wear and tear or gradual deterioration. Check your policy wording, contact your insurer early and keep photos and receipts.

Why does my roof only leak in heavy rain?

Driving rain and wind can push water under slipped tiles, cracked flashing or loose ridge tiles that cope in light rain. Blocked gutters overflowing in a downpour can have the same effect.

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