Storm Damage to Your Roof — What to Do in Salisbury

Salisbury and the surrounding Wiltshire area are regularly affected by named Atlantic storm systems tracking northeast across the British Isles. The chalk plain around Larkhill, Tidworth and Amesbury sees gusts above 70mph several times each winter. The city itself is less exposed but not immune. This guide tells you what to do when a storm damages your roof.

Salisbury's Storm Risk Profile

The area has a clear hierarchy of storm damage risk based on altitude and exposure:

• Highest risk: Shaftesbury (230m), Tidworth and Larkhill (130m) — open plateau, no windbreak
• High risk: Old Sarum, higher Bishopdown, Durrington upper estates — chalk plain exposure
• Moderate risk: Salisbury city centre, valley floor settlements — partially sheltered
• Lower risk: Downton, Fordingbridge, Romsey — Avon Valley sheltering

The Met Office classifies gusts above 55mph as capable of structural damage — the exposed chalk plateau around Salisbury regularly exceeds this threshold during named Atlantic storm systems.

— Met Office storm classification

Immediate Steps After Storm Damage

Step 1: Assess from Ground Level Only

Do not climb onto the roof. Storm conditions leave tile surfaces, flashings and ridge sections unstable. Assess from ground level — use binoculars for a closer view. Look for: displaced ridge tiles, missing or cracked tiles on exposed slopes, disturbed flashing at chimney bases, debris in gutters, and any visible penetration of the roof plane.

Step 2: Protect the Interior

Check the loft space for active water ingress. Move anything valuable below affected areas. If a ceiling is bulging with water, create a small relief hole at the lowest point to release it in a controlled stream rather than risking a collapse.

Step 3: Document Everything

Photograph all visible damage before any temporary repair or clearance. Insurance claims depend on this documentation. Include: roof damage from ground level, interior damage (ceiling staining, water accumulation), any fallen tiles or debris, and the surrounding context showing storm conditions affected the area.

Step 4: Contact Us for Emergency Make-Safe

Call 0172 223 9611 — we operate 24/7 emergency cover across Salisbury and all surrounding Wiltshire areas. For significant damage, we will attend to install temporary protection (heavy-duty tarpaulin correctly secured to ridge and weighted at eaves) to prevent further water ingress until permanent repair conditions allow.

Notify Your Insurer

Contact your insurer to notify a potential claim before any permanent repairs are carried out. They require:

• Notification before permanent repairs (temporary make-safe is fine)
• Evidence of the storm event (we can provide Met Office data confirmation)
• Professional written assessment confirming storm causation
• Repair quotation on completion of assessment

Temporary vs Permanent Repair

In wet or windy conditions immediately after a storm, permanent repair is often not possible — mortar cannot be applied in frost or rain, and working at height is unsafe in high winds. A properly installed tarpaulin secured at ridge and eaves will keep the property watertight for weeks while conditions allow permanent repair. Do not allow a rushed permanent repair to be carried out in unsuitable conditions — it will fail faster than a correctly-timed proper repair.

Common Post-Storm Repair Work in Salisbury

Repair	Typical cost	Urgency
Ridge tile re-seating and re-bedding	£200–£600	High — loose ridge tiles are a safety hazard
Tile replacement (small area)	£150–£400	Medium — tarpaulin can protect temporarily
Lead flashing re-securing	£200–£500	High — exposed felt is not waterproof long-term
Full section re-roofing	£800–£3,000+	Insurance claim — get written assessment first
Temporary tarpaulin make-safe	£150–£400	Immediate — carry out before permanent repair

Last reviewed: 21 July 2026 by Salisbury Roofing Experts