Storms don't need to strip a roof bare to cause serious problems. Often it's the damage you can't easily see- a lifted ridge tile, a cracked flashing seal, a gutter pulled loose- that ends up causing the most expensive repairs down the line. For homeowners across Ashford, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Maidstone, Folkestone and Dover, knowing what to check after high winds or heavy rain can make the difference between a quick repair and a much larger job, and it's exactly the kind of situation where roof repair services in Ashford from trusted local roofers can save you time and money.
This guide covers what to look for, where to look, and when it's time to call a professional.
Why Storm Damage Is Easy to Miss
Roofs are built to withstand a certain amount of wind and rain, but storms can push materials beyond what they were designed for. The tricky part is that storm damage doesn't always show up right away. A slipped tile might not let water in until the next heavy rainfall. A cracked flashing joint might only become obvious once damp starts tracking down a chimney breast weeks later.
That's why a proper post-storm check should go beyond a glance at the roofline; it should be a structured look at the areas most likely to have been affected. The team at Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd regularly sees this pattern with Kent homeowners: a seemingly minor issue after a storm can become a much bigger repair simply because it wasn't caught early.
Where to Check First
1. Tiles and Slates
High winds are one of the most common causes of tile damage. Look for:
- Tiles that appear out of alignment or lifted at the edge
- Gaps or patches where the roof colour looks different
- Broken tile fragments in the garden, driveway or gutters
- Daylight visible through the roof from inside the loft
A single slipped tile can seem minor, but it exposes the underlay and battens beneath to weather they weren't designed to handle long-term.
2. Ridge and Hip Tiles
Ridge tiles sit at the very top of the roof and are particularly exposed to wind uplift. After a storm, check whether any ridge tiles look loose, cracked, or missing mortar around the joints. A displaced ridge tile can let water into the roof space quickly, since it sits at a critical junction point.
3. Flashing Around Chimneys and Junctions
Flashing seals joints where the roof meets chimneys, walls, or other roof sections. Storms can lift, crack or dislodge flashing, especially where it's already aged. Signs to watch for include:
- New or worsening damp patches around a chimney breast
- Staining on an upstairs ceiling near a wall junction
- Visible gaps or lifted edges around chimney flashing, viewed from ground level
Flashing problems are rarely visible from the ground with certainty, so if you suspect an issue, this is one area best left to a professional inspection. This is one area where Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd's lead work experience proves especially useful, since correctly diagnosing a flashing fault often takes a trained eye rather than a guess from the ground.
4. Guttering, Fascias and Soffits
Wind-driven rain and debris put real pressure on guttering systems. After a storm, look for:
- Gutters pulled away from the fascia board
- Overflowing or blocked sections
- Cracked or split guttering
- Fascia boards that look warped, cracked or detached
Blocked or damaged guttering doesn't just cause overflow. Over time, it can lead to water tracking down external walls and affecting brickwork or render.
5. The Loft Space
Some of the clearest early warning signs of storm damage show up inside the property, not outside. After a storm, it's worth checking the loft for:
- Damp patches on timber or insulation
- Water staining that wasn't there before
- A musty smell
- Visible daylight coming through gaps in the roof structure
Catching this early can prevent a small leak from turning into a bigger timber or insulation problem.
6. Debris and Ground-Level Clues
Before you even look up, check the ground. Broken tile pieces, chunks of mortar, or displaced lead flashing on the driveway or in flower beds strongly suggest the roof above has taken damage, even if it's not obvious from a distance.
A Quick Storm-Check Table
Area | What to Look For |
Tiles/slates | Missing, cracked, or misaligned pieces |
Ridge/hip tiles | Loose mortar, displaced tiles |
Flashing | Damp near chimneys or wall junctions |
Guttering | Overflow, sagging, cracks, detachment |
Fascias/soffits | Warping, cracking, water staining |
Loft space | Damp, staining, daylight gaps, musty smell |
Ground/garden | Debris, broken tile fragments, displaced lead |
What Not to Do
It's tempting to grab a ladder and inspect the roof up close, but this isn't a safe DIY task, particularly right after a storm when conditions may still be unstable, and materials could be loose. A visual check from ground level, combined with a loft inspection from inside, is enough to flag whether professional roofing in Ashford is needed.
It's also worth resisting the urge to assume the worst. Not every sign of storm damage means a full roof replacement; many issues are localised and can be resolved with a targeted repair once experienced roofers in Ashford properly assess them.
When to Call a Professional Roofer
Certain signs shouldn't wait for a routine check-up. Contact a roofer promptly if you notice:
- Active water entering the property
- Several missing or displaced tiles
- Visibly sagging or damaged roof sections
- Persistent damp in the loft after the storm has passed
- Guttering that's come away from the roofline
Acting quickly after storm damage is spotted, even if it seems minor, generally costs far less than waiting until a small issue develops into a larger repair. This is exactly where Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd can help, with the experience to properly assess the damage and carry out the right repair rather than an unnecessary full replacement.
A Local Recommendation: Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd
If you've noticed any of the warning signs above after recent storms, Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd is a roofing company in Ashford covering the surrounding Kent area, including Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Maidstone, Folkestone and Dover.
The company carries out roof installation and repairs, flat roofing (EPDM and GRP felt), lead work, fascia, soffit and guttering work, and damp proofing and reporting services, with more than 25 years of experience in the trade.
Website: https://hibbsroofingandbuildingltd.co.uk/
Email: contact@hibbsroofingandbuildingltd.co.uk
Phone: +44 7728 304281
Address: 79 York Street, W1H 1DP
Company Number: 16399252
Conclusion
Storm damage to a roof isn't always dramatic. Often it's the small, easy-to-miss signs- a slightly lifted tile, a hairline crack in flashing, a gutter starting to sag- that matter most, because they're the ones that quietly let water in over time. A structured check after any significant storm, both from the ground and inside the loft, is one of the simplest ways Kent homeowners can catch problems early. And when in doubt, a quick call to Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd for a proper inspection is far cheaper than waiting until a small issue becomes an expensive repair.
