Storm Damage Roof Repair Guide
A practical guide to what happens after a storm damages your roof, from immediate safety steps through to getting it properly repaired. General information only: check your PDS or contact your insurer for anything specific to your policy.
Immediate steps after a storm
Check for obvious hazards before doing anything else: downed power lines, unstable trees or branches, and structural damage that could make walking near the house unsafe. Stay off the roof. If there is an active leak, place containers to catch water and move valuables clear, but leave any actual roof access to a professional.
Common types of storm damage
Storm damage to Australian roofs generally falls into a few recognisable categories, and the right repair approach differs for each:
- Wind-lifted or displaced tiles and sheeting
- Torn or damaged flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights
- Cracked or dislodged ridge capping
- Damaged or blocked gutters and downpipes from debris
- Fallen tree or branch impact damage
- Water damage to ceilings and walls from roof leaks
Make-safe work versus permanent repair
After a serious storm, the immediate priority is usually make-safe work, such as a temporary tarp over an exposed section, rather than a full permanent repair straight away, particularly if your insurance claim is still being assessed. Keep any invoice for make-safe work, since it is often claimable separately.
Permanent repair should generally wait until your claim process (if you are making one) has progressed to the point your insurer expects, unless the damage is unrelated to a claim, in which case you can proceed with a repair on your own timeline.
Getting the repair quoted properly
Whether you are claiming on insurance or paying for the repair yourself, an itemised quote (what is damaged, what caused it, cost per item) is the right standard to insist on. It gives you and your insurer, if relevant, a clear basis to assess the work, and it is much easier to compare against other quotes than a single lump-sum figure.