Emergency Roofing Worthing
Emergency Roof Repair — How It Works
When Storms Hit Worthing — What We See
Worthing sits on the direct track of Atlantic weather systems arriving from the south-west. The major storm events that hit the town — typically between October and March — produce sustained gale-force winds from the south-westerly quadrant with gusts regularly exceeding 60mph. At that level, wind uplift force on a roof tile is four times that of a 30mph wind. Concrete tile on the 1930s–1960s estate stock in Goring-by-Sea, West Worthing and Durrington, where nail fixings are already corroded by age and salt air, can lift in sections rather than individually. After a significant storm, we typically respond to multiple emergency calls across BN11, BN12 and BN13 simultaneously.
Making Safe vs Permanent Repair
Emergency roofing attendance has two distinct phases. The first priority is making the roof safe and weatherproof — preventing further water ingress and securing anything at risk of falling. This is typically achievable on the same visit and involves temporary weathering, securing loose material, and emergency pointing or sealing as needed. The second phase is permanent repair, which is quoted separately once the full scope is clear and may be carried out the same day or on a follow-on visit depending on material availability and the extent of damage. We are clear with you about which phase applies and what it costs before doing anything.
Insurance Claims for Storm Damage in Worthing
Storm damage to roofs is typically covered under buildings insurance. If you believe the damage was caused by a storm event, call your insurer to register the claim before permanent repair work begins — they may wish to send a loss adjuster. We can provide a written damage report for insurance purposes, detailing the cause, extent of damage and repair scope. We work with the loss adjuster process regularly and can provide all documentation required. Note: temporary make-safe work to prevent further damage is generally covered immediately without waiting for adjuster approval.
| Emergency Type | Response Priority | Typical Make-Safe Cost | Permanent Repair |
|---|
| Active leak into property | Immediate | £150–£300 | Same or next day |
| Tiles off after storm | Same day | £150–£350 | Same or next day |
| Chimney instability | Immediate | £200–£500 | Within 48 hours |
| Ridge tile displacement | Same day | £180–£380 | Same day |
| Flat roof failure (active) | Same day | £200–£450 | Within 48 hours |
| Structural damage | Immediate | POA | Full assessment first |
Worthing's Most Vulnerable Properties in a StormThe properties at highest risk in a Worthing south-westerly gale are: 1930s–1960s concrete tile roofs in Goring-by-Sea and West Worthing where nail fixings are age-corroded; Victorian and Edwardian slate on North Lancing and Broadwater where original nib fixings are near the end of their life; flat-roofed extensions in direct coastal exposure across the seafront fringe from Ferring to Shoreham; and any property with a recently repointed but un-flashed chimney stack. If your property falls into one of these categories, a pre-winter roof inspection is the most cost-effective insurance available.