What to Do If Your Roof Tiles Fall Off?

Finding roof tiles on the ground is alarming, but it’s a situation you can get on top of. Step one: keep everyone away from the affected area. Step two: work through the steps below. It’s more manageable than it looks.

1. Check the area and stay safe

Before anything else, make sure nobody goes near the affected area. Roof tiles are heavy and sharp, and if some have already come down, others may follow, especially in wet or windy weather.

Keep children and pets indoors. If tiles have landed close to a path, doorway, or driveway, cordon it off if you can. A bit of garden twine and a couple of stakes will do the job if you do not have proper barriers to hand.

Do not try to climb onto the roof yourself. It might be tempting to get up there and take a look, but without the right equipment and training it is genuinely dangerous. Leave that to the professionals.

If any tiles are still visibly loose or hanging, stay well clear of that section of the house until a roofer has assessed the situation.

2. Assess the damage

Once you are confident the area is safe, take a careful look from a distance. You are trying to get a sense of how bad things are without putting yourself at risk.

A few things to look out for:

• How many tiles have come off? Is it one or two, or does it look more significant?
• Are there visible gaps in the roof? Exposed felt or timber underneath is a sign that water could get in quickly
• Are any remaining tiles cracked, lifted, or sitting at an odd angle?
• Is there any damage to guttering, flashing, or nearby brickwork?

If you cannot see clearly from the ground, binoculars or even zooming in with your phone camera can help you get a better look. Take photos from a safe angle while you are at it. You will likely need them for your insurance claim.

If tiles have come down intact, set them aside somewhere safe. A roofer may be able to reuse them, which can save both time and money, particularly if your tiles are an older style that is harder to match.

3. Contact a professional roofer

This is not a job for a general handyman or a neighbour who fancies themselves handy with a ladder. You need a qualified roofer who can inspect the full extent of the damage, identify any underlying issues, and carry out the repairs safely.

When looking for a roofer:

• Ask friends or neighbours for recommendations if you can
• Check online reviews, but look for patterns rather than individual comments
• Verify that they are registered with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) or a similar trade body. The NFRC has a find-a-contractor tool on their website
• Always ask for a written quote before any work begins
• Request a breakdown of costs so you know exactly what you are paying for

Be wary of anyone who turns up unsolicited after a storm offering cheap, quick repairs. Rogue traders often target areas that have been hit by bad weather, and the work they carry out can cause more problems than it solves.

If the damage is severe and your home is at immediate risk of water ingress, most reputable roofers offer emergency call-out services. It is worth asking when you first make contact.

4. Arrange temporary protection if needed

If there is going to be a delay before your roofer can get to you, and rain is forecast, it is worth asking whether they can fit temporary weatherproofing in the meantime. This is usually a heavy-duty tarpaulin secured over the exposed area.

It will not look pretty, but it will protect the interior of your home from water damage while you wait for a proper fix. Water getting in through an exposed roof can damage ceilings, walls, insulation, and electrics, all of which will cost considerably more to sort out than the original tile repair.

If your roofer cannot get to you quickly and the damage is significant, some emergency home assistance services also cover temporary repairs as part of their policy. Check whether you have this included in your home insurance or as a standalone policy.

5. Check your building insurance policy

Once you have the immediate situation in hand, it is time to dig out your policy documents. Roof damage caused by a storm or other unexpected event is often covered under building insurance, but the details vary between policies.

Key things to check:

• Storm damage cover: Most standard building policies include this, but check what counts as a ‘storm’ under your specific policy. Some insurers set a minimum wind speed threshold
• Falling objects: Damage caused by falling objects, such as trees or satellite dishes, is covered under a standard Lemonade building insurance policy. You do not need the accidental damage add-on for this
• Your excess: This is the amount you pay towards any claim before your insurer covers the rest. If the repair cost is close to your excess, it may not be worth claiming
• Exclusions: Damage caused by gradual wear and tear, poor maintenance, or neglect is generally not covered. Most insurers expect you to keep your roof in reasonable condition

If you are not sure what your policy covers, call your insurer directly. They can walk you through the claims process and let you know what evidence you will need to submit, usually photos of the damage and written quotes from roofers.

Try to report the damage promptly. Waiting too long can sometimes complicate a claim, particularly if further deterioration occurs in the meantime.

6. Get repairs sorted

Once you have your quote and sorted any insurance steps, book the repair in as soon as you can. A missing tile is not just a cosmetic problem. Water getting into your roof space can cause:

• Damp and mould in your loft or upper rooms
• Damage to roof timbers, which can be expensive to replace
• Ceiling damage from leaks
• Problems with insulation, which can affect your energy bills

The longer you leave it, the more those secondary issues compound. A repair that costs a few hundred pounds now could easily turn into something far more serious if rain is given the chance to work its way in.

Understand what affects repair costs

The cost of roof tile repairs in the UK varies depending on the type of tiles, the extent of the damage, the pitch of the roof, and where you are in the country. Labour costs tend to be higher in London and the South East.

As a rough guide:

• Replacing a small number of standard concrete or clay tiles typically costs between £150 and £400, including labour
• More extensive repairs, or work involving specialist tiles, can run to £500 or more
• If there is underlying damage to the felt, battens, or structure beneath the tiles, costs will increase accordingly

Always get at least two quotes so you have a sense of whether the price you are being offered is reasonable. The cheapest option is not always the best, particularly for something as important as your roof.

If your tiles are an older style or unusual colour, your roofer may not be able to find an exact match. In that case, prioritise a watertight, structurally sound repair over a perfect aesthetic finish. You can always revisit the look of things down the line.

How Lemonade can help

If you have Lemonade building insurance, damage caused by a storm, falling trees, or other unexpected events could be covered under your policy. The claims process is straightforward and designed to move quickly, which matters when you are dealing with an exposed roof and the possibility of rain. If you are not sure what your policy includes or how to make a claim, Lemonade’s support team can help you work through it. One less thing to figure out when you have got enough on your plate.

Before we go

Fallen roof tiles feel stressful in the moment, but they are a fixable problem. Keep the area safe, assess what you can from the ground, get a reputable roofer in quickly, and check your insurance sooner rather than later. Stay on top of each step and you are well on your way to getting things sorted.

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