I got a call at 3am last December from a woman in Drumcondra. Her voice was shaking. Water was cascading through her kitchen ceiling, and she had no idea what to do.
That call—and hundreds like it over my 20 years as a roofer in UK—is why I’m writing this.
The first 24 hours after your roof fails are absolutely critical. What you do (and don’t do) in those hours can mean the difference between a £500 repair and a £15,000 insurance nightmare.
Here’s everything I wish every British homeowner knew before disaster strikes.
Hour 0-1: Stop the Immediate Damage
First Things First: Safety
Before you do anything else, I need you to hear this: your safety matters more than your ceiling.
I’ve seen people climb onto wet roofs at night. I’ve seen DIY tarping attempts that ended in A&E. Don’t be that person.
Do NOT:
- Go onto a wet or damaged roof
- Touch any exposed wiring
- Move damaged materials that could be supporting weight
- Assume the ceiling won’t collapse further
DO immediately:
- Turn off electricity to affected areas if water is near electrics
- Move valuables away from the leak path
- Get everyone out of the room if the ceiling is sagging
The Bucket Brigade
Yes, it sounds ridiculous. Yes, everyone does it. And yes, it actually works.
Here’s the pro tip most people miss: poke a small hole in the ceiling bulge.
I know that sounds mad. “Damage my ceiling more? Are you mental?”
But here’s what happens if you don’t: water pools above your ceiling, the weight increases, and suddenly the entire ceiling section comes crashing down. I’ve seen beautiful living rooms destroyed because the homeowner “didn’t want to make a hole.”
A controlled 10mm puncture lets the water drain into your bucket, relieves the pressure, and usually prevents catastrophic ceiling collapse.
Document Everything
Get your phone out. Right now. Start recording.
Take video of:
- The leak as it’s happening
- The exterior damage if visible from ground level
- Any water marks, damaged belongings, everything
Why this matters:
I’ve watched too many insurance claims get reduced or denied because the homeowner couldn’t prove the timeline. Your insurer needs to see what happened, when it happened, and that you took reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
That 3am video of water pouring through your ceiling? Worth its weight in gold when the loss adjuster comes round.
Hour 1-6: Emergency Containment
Finding a Roofer at 2am
Let me be honest with you: getting a legitimate roofer at 2am is harder than it should be.
What you’ll encounter:
- Voicemails (most of us are asleep)
- Emergency callout services (often middlemen who charge extra)
- That one bloke who answers but charges £300 just to show up
Here’s what I tell my own family:
If it’s genuinely dangerous—water hitting electrics, roof section collapsed, tree through the roof—call your insurance emergency line first. They often have 24-hour contractors on retainer.
For everything else? Contain it as best you can and call a reputable local roofer first thing in the morning.
The harsh truth: a 3am callout that costs £400 for temporary tarping could often wait until 7am and cost £100. I’ve had customers in tears thanking me for telling them to wait rather than fleecing them for a midnight visit.
Temporary DIY Protection
If you can safely reach the affected area from inside:
- Move furniture and valuables clear
- Lay plastic sheeting (bin bags work) under the leak
- Create a channel with towels to direct water to a bucket
- If water is spreading, create a dam with rolled towels
From outside (daylight, dry conditions, single story ONLY):
If you have a tarp and can safely access a flat-ish section of roof without a ladder:
- Secure with heavy objects (bricks, not you standing on it)
- Weight the edges so wind can’t catch it
- This is temporary—hours, not days
Be honest with yourself about your abilities. I’ve repaired more damage from DIY tarp jobs than from the original leak.
Hour 6-12: Getting Proper Help
What to Tell the Roofer
When you call us in the morning, we’re triaging dozens of calls (especially after a storm). Help us help you.
Tell us:
- What’s happening right now - “Water actively coming through kitchen ceiling” vs “I noticed damp marks yesterday”
- What type of roof - Slate, tile, flat roof (if you know)
- Approximate age of roof - “Original to the house, 1970s” helps
- What you’ve done so far - “Bucket under it, took photos”
- Any visible external damage - “I can see tiles on the lawn”
The roofer who asks you these questions is already ahead of the one who just says “I’ll be there in an hour.”
The Emergency Assessment Visit
A proper emergency callout should include:
- Assessment of the damage extent (not just where water appears)
- Temporary weatherproofing (tarp, emergency felt, sealant)
- Honest opinion on urgency of permanent repair
- Rough estimate range for the fix
- Written callout report (you need this for insurance)
Red flags in an emergency roofer:
❌ Won’t give any written documentation ❌ Demands full payment upfront for permanent repairs ❌ Pressures you to decide on the spot ❌ “I can see you’ll need a whole new roof” after a 5-minute look ❌ No vehicle signage, no ID, no insurance mention
You’re vulnerable. Some people take advantage. Don’t let them.
Hour 12-24: The Insurance Dance
When to Contact Your Insurer
Call your insurer within 24 hours. Ideally within 12.
Most British home insurance policies have a clause requiring “timely notification.” While “timely” isn’t always defined, 24 hours is your safe window.
What insurers want to know:
- Date and time of incident
- Cause (storm, impact, wear—be honest, they’ll find out)
- Extent of damage to roof
- Extent of damage to interior/contents
- What emergency action you’ve taken
- Whether you’ve had a professional assessment
What’s Covered (and What’s Not)
Here’s where I see people get caught out:
Usually covered:
- Storm damage (if Met Office confirms storm conditions)
- Impact damage (tree, fallen objects)
- Sudden and unforeseen events
Usually NOT covered:
- Gradual deterioration (“wear and tear”)
- Lack of maintenance
- Pre-existing damage that’s been ignored
- Damage from wear that a storm just exposed
That last one catches people. If your roof was already compromised and a storm was just the final straw, you might face a fight.
Pro tip: That documentation I mentioned? Include your last roof inspection or maintenance record if you have one. Proves you weren’t neglecting it.
Getting Quotes
Your insurer will typically want:
- At least two quotes for permanent repair
- Itemised breakdown (not just a lump sum)
- Photos of the damage
- The emergency callout report
Don’t accept the first quote that lands in your inbox. And don’t automatically go with the cheapest—your insurer wants “reasonable,” not “bargain basement.”
The Next 7 Days: Permanent Solutions
Once the immediate crisis is handled, you’ve got decisions to make.
Repair vs Replace
Here’s my honest take after two decades:
Repair if:
- Damage is localised (a few tiles, one section of flashing)
- Roof is under 20 years old and generally healthy
- You can match existing materials
- Underlying structure is sound
Consider replacement if:
- Damage is extensive (more than 25% of roof)
- Roof was already at end of life (30+ years on slate, 20+ on felt)
- You’re seeing multiple failure points
- The numbers only make sense to start fresh
I’ve had to tell customers their £2,000 repair bill on a 40-year-old roof was throwing money away. It’s not a fun conversation, but it’s the honest one.
Choosing Your Permanent Repair Contractor
Your emergency roofer isn’t necessarily your permanent repair contractor. Sometimes they are—if they’re good and local. But you’re allowed to shop around.
Non-negotiables:
✅ Full public liability insurance (£2m minimum) ✅ Written quote with itemised costs ✅ Estimated timeline ✅ Warranty on work (minimum 5 years) ✅ Clear payment terms (never 100% upfront) ✅ References you can actually check
What I Wish I Could Tell Every Homeowner Before Disaster Strikes
Prevention Is Cheaper Than Emergency
Every autumn, I tell customers: get a roof inspection. It costs £100-200. Most people ignore me.
Then I’m on their roof at 4am in November, charging emergency rates, fixing something that was visible six months earlier.
The maths don’t lie:
- Annual inspection: £150
- Minor repair caught early: £200-500
- Emergency repair after failure: £800-2,000
- Full roof replacement after neglect: £8,000-25,000+
Know Your Roof’s Age
Somewhere in your house—maybe in the attic, maybe in old documents—there’s information about when your roof was last replaced or significantly repaired.
Find it. Know it.
A 30-year-old slate roof is living on borrowed time. A 15-year-old flat roof might have 5 years left, or it might go tomorrow. Knowing where you stand helps you prepare.
Build a Relationship Before You Need One
The best time to find a good roofer is when you don’t urgently need one.
Get a maintenance inspection done. See how they work. Are they punctual? Do they explain things? Do they answer the phone when you ring?
Because when that 3am emergency hits, you want to be calling someone who knows your roof, knows your house, and knows you’re not just another panicked voice on the line.
Final Thoughts
Your roof is the single most important protective element of your home. When it fails, everything underneath is at risk.
But a roof emergency, as terrifying as it feels at 3am, is manageable. Contain the immediate damage. Stay safe. Document everything. Get proper help in the morning. Work with your insurer honestly.
And when it’s all fixed, book that annual inspection. Your future self—and your future roof—will thank you.
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Seamus O’Brien has been roofing in UK for over 20 years, with emergency callouts from Birmingham to Donegal. He’s seen every roof disaster imaginable—and a few that still surprise him.
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