With over 25 years of roofing experience, Advanced Roofing Systems helps homeowners and businesses across Belfast, Bangor, Newtownards and Northern Ireland respond to storm damage safely and professionally.
A roof leak during an autumn or winter storm is stressful. Water may be coming through the ceiling, tiles may have shifted, or wind-driven rain may be entering around a chimney, rooflight or flat roof.
Do not panic. Do not climb onto the roof. Follow this checklist, make the property safe and contact a professional roofer as soon as possible.
1. Is everyone safe?
Your first priority is people, not the roof, furniture or flooring.
Leave the affected room immediately if:
- The ceiling is sagging, cracking or making unusual noises.
- Water is entering close to light fittings, sockets or electrical equipment.
- You can see major structural damage.
- A chimney, tree or large branch has struck the property.
- Water is entering faster than you can safely contain it.
If you believe there is an immediate risk of collapse, fire or serious injury, leave the property and call 999.
If water is near electrical fittings, keep away. If you can safely access your consumer unit without entering a wet area, switch off power to the affected circuit or property. Never touch wet electrical equipment. Contact a qualified electrician if you are unsure.
Should you climb onto the roof during a storm?
No. Do not climb onto your roof during high winds, heavy rain, darkness or lightning.
A wet roof is slippery. Loose tiles can shift without warning. Ladders can move in strong winds, and emergency tarpaulin work can create a serious fall risk.
Do not attempt to inspect the roof from a ladder. Do not walk across a flat roof. Do not ask a family member, employee or unqualified person to “have a quick look”.
Wait for a professional inspection. Your safety comes first.
2. Contain the water inside
Once everyone is safe, act quickly to reduce damage.
What should you do while the roof is still leaking?
- Place buckets, bowls or containers under active drips.
- Move furniture, rugs, appliances and valuables away from the affected area.
- Cover flooring with waterproof sheeting, plastic or bin bags where possible.
- Move stock, equipment and paperwork away from water in commercial premises.
- Close doors to contain water and limit access to the affected room.
- Use towels to control spreading water, but do not place yourself under an unstable ceiling.
If the ceiling is bulging with water, keep people out of the room and contact a professional. Do not pierce the ceiling unless a suitably qualified professional has confirmed that it is safe to do so. A water-filled ceiling can fail suddenly, and electrical wiring may be hidden above it.
For businesses, isolate the affected area immediately. Put up warning signs, move staff and customers away from the leak, and protect stock or machinery only when it is safe.
3. Call an emergency roofer
A storm leak needs a proper diagnosis: not guesswork and not a temporary patch that hides the real problem.
Advanced Roofing Systems provides emergency roofing call-outs across Belfast, Bangor and Newtownards. We attend homes and business premises to assess storm damage, reduce further water ingress and explain the next steps clearly.
There are no call-out charges. We provide honest advice, free no-obligation quotes and insurance-backed guarantees.
When you call, provide:
- Your full address and postcode.
- Your contact number.
- The room or area where water is entering.
- Whether the leak is dripping, flowing or spreading.
- Whether tiles, slates, flashing, gutters or roof sections appear damaged.
- Any access restrictions, shared driveways or commercial site requirements.
- Whether the building is occupied or needs urgent make-safe work.
Do not assume that a small internal stain means a small roof problem. Water can travel along rafters, insulation and ceilings before appearing away from the original entry point.
4. Document the damage for your insurer
Take photographs and short videos from a safe position before cleaning or moving damaged items.
Record:
- The date and approximate time the leak began.
- The weather conditions and any unusually strong winds.
- Internal ceiling stains, damp walls and water on floors.
- Damaged furniture, carpets, stock, machinery or equipment.
- Visible debris, broken tiles or fallen branches from ground level.
- Any temporary measures taken to protect the property.
- The roofer’s report, photographs, quote and invoices.
Contact your insurer and ask for a claim reference. Check whether your policy requires you to use an approved contractor or obtain specific quotations before permanent work begins.
You should take reasonable steps to limit further damage, but do not authorise major permanent works until you understand your insurer’s requirements, unless there is an urgent safety issue.
Ask your roofer for a written report stating:
- The likely cause of the leak.
- The visible extent of the storm damage.
- Any immediate risks.
- Temporary make-safe work completed.
- Recommended permanent repairs.
- Whether further investigation or a full roof survey is required.
A clear report helps homeowners, property managers, insurers and commercial landlords make informed decisions.
5. Can the storm damage be repaired: or is replacement needed?
When can a storm-struck roof be repaired?
A roof may be suitable for repair when the damage is localised and the underlying structure remains sound.
Typical repair work may include:
- Replacing broken or displaced slates and tiles.
- Securing ridge or verge tiles.
- Repairing leadwork around chimneys and abutments.
- Replacing damaged flashing.
- Repairing gutters, outlets and roofline components.
- Completing targeted repairs to flat roof coverings.
- Replacing damaged roof timbers in a limited area.
Request a professional assessment before agreeing to any work. A leak does not automatically mean you need a new roof.
When might a full roof replacement be necessary?
A full replacement or refurbishment may be appropriate when:
- Large sections of the roof covering have failed.
- The roof is old, brittle or already deteriorating.
- Timbers, roof decking or structural elements are extensively damaged.
- Previous repairs have created multiple weak points.
- A flat roof covering has reached the end of its serviceable life.
- Water has caused widespread rot, damp or insulation failure.
- The cost of repeated repairs is no longer sensible.
- The roof cannot provide reliable long-term protection.
Advanced Roofing Systems works with slate and tile roofing, EPDM flat roofing and liquid roofing systems.
We do not recommend replacement simply because a storm has occurred. We inspect the roof, explain what is genuinely required and provide a clear quote.
6. Arrange a professional roof survey after the storm
A temporary repair can stop the immediate leak, but it may not identify every defect.
Once conditions are safe, arrange a professional roof survey. A survey can identify displaced coverings, hidden water entry, damaged flashing, failing mortar, roofline defects and structural concerns.
Advanced Roofing Systems offers detailed inspections for homeowners, buyers, landlords, property managers and businesses. Our survey process can include visual inspection, photographic evidence, defect identification and in-depth analysis.
For properties where access is difficult or unsafe, ask about our drone survey option, available at £295 + VAT. Drone imagery can help inspect hard-to-reach areas without putting occupants or staff at risk.
A professional diagnosis gives you:
- A clearer understanding of the storm damage.
- Evidence to support an insurance claim.
- A prioritised list of urgent and non-urgent work.
- A reliable repair or replacement recommendation.
- A written basis for comparing quotes.
- Greater confidence that unnecessary work is not being proposed.
Do not accept a vague diagnosis. Request a detailed survey and a clear report.
What our customers say
“Excellent professional service from Advanced Construction & Roofing, very reliable, courteous, honest & competitively priced. Highly skilled & knowledgeable in all aspects of roofing. Would not hesitate in recommending them as their work is first class.”
: Christine McCappin
“Advanced Construction & Roofing provided a very courteous, professional and reliable service in replacing our 3 flat roofs. Charles Howard is very knowledgeable and kept us up to date with what was happening as the work progressed. I strongly recommend him to others seeking a trustworthy firm to replace or repair their roofs.”
: Mervyn Henry
“Advanced Construction & Roofing's staff were courteous and knowledgeable and carried out the work on my property with the minimum of disruption. The site was left impeccably clean and tidy on completion. I would recommend Advanced Construction & Roofing to anyone needing roof repair and will certainly use them again when I need similar work.”
: Sandra Bailie
Storm damage checklist: save this for tonight
- Move people away from sagging ceilings or dangerous areas.
- Keep away from water near electrics.
- Switch off power only if it is safe to do so.
- Catch and contain water with buckets and waterproof coverings.
- Move furniture, belongings, stock and equipment.
- Do not climb onto the roof during the storm.
- Photograph and record the damage safely.
- Contact your insurer and request a claim reference.
- Call a professional roofer for emergency assistance.
- Arrange a roof survey before agreeing to major permanent work.
Need emergency roof repair in Belfast or Bangor?
Call Advanced Roofing Systems as soon as it is safe.
Bangor office: 02891 071279
Belfast office: 02890 726126
We cover Belfast, Bangor, Newtownards and locations across Northern Ireland. We provide no call-out charges, free no-obligation quotes, insurance-backed guarantees and honest advice without upselling.
Call now. Make the property safe. Request a professional diagnosis.