Emergency Roof Repairs in Edinburgh Storm Damage and Leaks
When water is coming in or slates are coming off, the priority is to make the roof watertight and stop the damage spreading. Call Robert directly and speak to the roofer who will actually do the work.
22 years' experience · Fully insured · Workmanship guaranteed
- 22 Years' Experience
- Fully Insured
- Fixed-Price Quotes
- Workmanship Guaranteed
- Owner-Operated
Emergency Roof Repairs
What an emergency roof repair is
What it is
An emergency roof repair is work to stop active damage: making a roof watertight after storm damage, stopping an active leak, or securing loose slates, tiles, ridges or lead that pose a risk. It may be a permanent repair done on the spot, or a temporary measure that protects the building until a full repair can be carried out.
Who it's for
Emergency repairs are for any homeowner or landlord in Edinburgh facing a sudden roof problem: slates blown off in a gale, a ridge dislodged, lead lifted by the wind, a flat roof split open, or water coming through a ceiling during heavy rain.
When you need it
Call when water is actively coming into the property, when slates, tiles or lead have been dislodged and the roof is open to the weather, when something on the roof looks unsafe after a storm, or when damage has been caused by a fallen tree or branch.
Why experience matters
Emergency work often happens in poor conditions, and rushed repairs by someone unfamiliar with the roof can create more damage. Robert has 22 years' experience on Edinburgh roofs and is fully insured. He will make the roof safe and then explain what a lasting repair involves.
Recent emergency roof repairs work
The cost of waiting
Why emergency roof damage should not wait
Storm damage and active leaks get worse with every hour of rain and every gust of wind. What starts as a few missing slates can quickly become a soaked loft, a damaged ceiling and a much larger repair.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Climbing onto a wet or storm-damaged roof yourself.
- Leaving buckets under a leak for days without having the roof looked at.
- Accepting an unsolicited offer from someone who knocks the door after a storm.
- Treating a temporary fix as permanent and forgetting to follow up.
- Not taking photos of the damage for your records.
Water spreads quickly
Rain entering an open roof soaks insulation and runs along timbers, reaching ceilings and walls far from the damage.
Wind makes gaps bigger
A missing slate gives the wind something to catch. Neighbouring slates and ridge tiles can follow in the next gust.
Safety risk below
Loose slates, tiles and lead can fall onto paths, gardens or cars, putting people at risk.
Insurance complications
Delaying action after damage can make matters more complicated. Keep a record of the damage and act promptly.
How Robert works
A clear process, from first look to finished roof
- 1
Call Robert
Phone 07756 375223 and describe what has happened. You speak to Robert directly.
- 2
Assessment
Robert looks at the damage to understand what has failed and what is needed to make the roof safe and watertight.
- 3
Make safe
Loose materials are secured and the roof is made watertight, either with a permanent repair or temporary protection.
- 4
Fixed-price quote for full repair
If further work is needed, you get a clear fixed price for the permanent repair.
- 5
Permanent repair and guarantee
The lasting repair is carried out and covered by Robert's workmanship guarantee.
What you get
The result of doing it properly
Damage stopped from spreading
Making the roof watertight quickly protects ceilings, walls, insulation and belongings.
Direct contact
You speak to the roofer who will do the job, not a call centre.
Safe, insured work
Fully insured for public and employer's liability, with 22 years' experience working at height.
Clear next steps
Robert explains what happened and what a lasting fix involves, in plain terms.
Fixed price for the full repair
Any follow-up work is priced up front so you know the cost before it starts.
Properly repaired, not just patched
The aim is a repair that lasts, not a temporary fix that fails in the next storm.
In detail
Common emergency roof problems in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's exposed position means high winds and driving rain are a regular test for roofs. These are the emergencies that come up most often.
Storm-blown slates and tiles
Gales can lift slates whose nails have corroded, or tiles that were never mechanically fixed. The immediate job is to close the gap and secure surrounding slates. Afterwards, it is worth considering whether the slope needs more thorough work. See slating and tiling.
Lifted lead and flashings
Wind can peel back lead flashings and valley linings, leaving joints open to rain. These are re-dressed and refixed, or replaced if damaged. See leadwork.
Dislodged ridges and chimneys
Ridge tiles with weak mortar can be dislodged in storms, and damaged chimney pots or flaunching can become a hazard. Securing these is an early priority for safety as well as weathertightness.
Active leaks
A leak during heavy rain may be from storm damage or from a defect that has been developing for some time. Robert traces the source to stop the water, then advises on a permanent repair. See roof repairs.
Flat roof splits
Flat roofs can split or lose sections of felt in high winds. A temporary seal can protect the room below until the roof is properly repaired or re-covered. See felting and flat roofs.
After the emergency: making sure it does not happen again
Once the roof is watertight, it is worth understanding why it failed. Storms rarely damage a sound roof in isolation; they usually find a weakness that already existed, such as corroded slate nails, perished mortar on a ridge, or a flashing that had lifted slightly. Robert will explain what he found and whether the rest of the roof is likely to be vulnerable in the same way. That might mean nothing more is needed, or it might mean planning targeted work on one slope before next winter. Knowing this helps you budget and avoid a repeat call-out in the next gale. Any follow-up work is quoted at a fixed price, so you can decide with the full picture in front of you.
Emergency Roof Repairs across Edinburgh and its neighbourhoods
Edinburgh's housing stock changes street by street. Tenements and terraces in Leith and Stockbridge, Victorian and Edwardian villas in Morningside and Colinton, seafront homes in Portobello exposed to salt air, and post-war and modern housing in Corstorphine, Liberton and South Queensferry all present different challenges. Robert has worked across all of them over 22 years, so he knows how roofs in each part of the city were built and how they tend to wear.
Wherever you are in Edinburgh, the approach to emergency roof repairs is the same. Robert looks at the job himself, explains what he has found in plain language, and gives you a clear, fixed-price quote so you know exactly what you are paying before any work starts. R Galloway Roofing Services is owner-operated and fully insured with public liability and employer's liability cover, and the workmanship is guaranteed. You deal with one person from the first phone call to the finished job.
To arrange a visit, call Robert on 07756 375223 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm) or send a request using the form below. You can also read more about Robert or return to the homepage.
Straight answers
Emergency Roof Repairs: questions answered
Something not covered here? Contact Robert or call directly.
Ask Robert: 07756 375223Do you offer emergency roof repairs?
Yes. Robert offers emergency roof repairs for storm damage and leaks across Edinburgh. Call 07756 375223.
What should I do while I wait?
Stay off the roof. Move belongings away from the leak, contain water with buckets, and take photos of the damage for your records.
How much does an emergency repair cost?
It depends on the damage. Robert will explain the cost of any permanent repair with a fixed-price quote before that work starts.
How long will the repair take?
Making the roof safe is the first priority. The timeline for any permanent repair depends on the damage and the weather, and Robert will explain it to you.
Is an emergency repair temporary or permanent?
Where possible the repair is permanent. Sometimes a temporary measure is needed first, followed by a full repair.
Is emergency work guaranteed?
Permanent repairs are covered by Robert's workmanship guarantee. He will explain what applies to your job.
Are you insured?
Yes. R Galloway Roofing Services is fully insured with public liability and employer's liability cover.
Which areas do you cover for emergencies?
Edinburgh including Leith, Portobello, Morningside, Corstorphine, Stockbridge, Colinton, Liberton and South Queensferry.
Storm damage or a leak? Call Robert now
The sooner the roof is watertight, the less damage there is to fix. Call directly, or send a request if it can wait. Fully insured, workmanship guaranteed.
Request a quote
Get a clear, fixed price
for your roof
Tell Robert what's going on with your roof. He'll come back to you personally to arrange a look and give you a fixed price.
07756 375223Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm