Common Roof Problems After a Storm

How Ely's Weather Puts Roofs Under Pressure

Ely sits in one of the flattest, most exposed parts of England. With little natural shelter across the Fens, wind speeds here can be significantly higher than in more sheltered inland towns, and our winters bring sustained driving rain, hard frosts and occasional hail. Older properties in the city centre, many of them Victorian or Edwardian terraces, tend to have roof coverings and pointing that have already seen decades of weathering before a storm even arrives.

After any significant storm, it pays to check your roof carefully rather than assume everything is fine. Some damage is obvious from the street. Other problems - slipped felt, cracked mortar, or a dislodged lead flashing - are easy to miss until water starts finding its way inside.

The Most Common Storm Damage We See

Missing or Slipped Roof Tiles

This is the most visible sign of storm damage. Clay and concrete tiles on older Ely rooftops can become brittle over time, and once their nibs or fixing nails weaken, a strong gust is enough to lift or crack them. A single missing tile leaves the felt underneath exposed, and if that felt is already aged and brittle, water will get in fast. Our roof repairs service handles individual tile replacements through to larger sections where multiple tiles have shifted.

Damaged or Lifted Ridge and Hip Tiles

Ridge tiles are bedded in mortar, which cracks and softens over many years of freeze-thaw cycles. Storm winds work their way into those cracks and can lift or dislodge the tiles entirely. Hip tiles on the sloping corners of a roof are equally vulnerable. Once the mortar seal breaks, rain tracks straight down into the roof structure below.

Flashing Failures

Lead flashings seal the joins between your roof covering and vertical surfaces such as chimneys, dormer walls and parapet walls. They are only as good as the mortar that holds them in place. Storm conditions - particularly the combination of gusting wind and heavy rain - can pull flashings away from their chases or crack the mortar pointing. Our lead work team deals with flashing repairs regularly after storms, particularly on the older stone and brick chimneys you see across central Ely and in villages like Littleport and Soham.

Blocked or Damaged Gutters and Downpipes

Storms carry debris - leaves, twigs, moss and tile fragments - straight into guttering. A blocked gutter quickly overflows, and that water runs back against the fascia board and into the roof structure. In severe cases, the weight of standing water and debris can pull a gutter section away from the fascia entirely. If your gutters were already sagging or cracked before the storm, the damage will be worse. Our fascias, soffits and guttering service covers full gutter clears, repairs and replacements.

Flat Roof Ponding and Membrane Damage

Many Ely homes have flat roof extensions or outbuildings. High winds can lift or split the surface membrane on a flat roof, and once that happens, rainwater pools in the opening. Flat roofs that were already approaching the end of their service life are particularly at risk. Even without visible damage, it's worth checking for new areas of standing water after any significant storm.

What to Do Straight After a Storm

• Check from the ground first. Use binoculars if you have them. Look for missing tiles, lifted ridge sections or debris sitting in gutters.
• Check your loft space. Look for daylight coming through, damp timber, wet insulation or water staining on the rafters.
• Do not go onto the roof yourself. Wet roofs are slippery, and storm-damaged structures can be unstable. Leave any access to a professional.
• Document the damage. Photograph everything before any repairs are carried out, as your insurer will ask for evidence.
• Contact your insurer promptly. Most home insurance policies cover storm damage, but many require you to report it within a set timeframe. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors recommends using a registered contractor for any insurer-related repair work.

When Storm Damage Means More Than a Repair

Sometimes a storm exposes a roof that was already failing. If tiles are slipping across a wide area, if the felt is rotten, or if the battens are soft and crumbling, patching individual sections will not hold long-term. In those situations, a full roof replacement is the more honest and cost-effective solution.

We will always tell you which option genuinely suits your roof rather than recommend unnecessary work. A proper survey gives you a clear picture of what you are actually dealing with.

Get a Local Storm Damage Check

If your roof has taken a battering, we offer free surveys across Ely and the surrounding Fenland area. Get in touch to book your free local roof survey and we will give you a straight assessment of the damage and a clear, written quote for putting it right.

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