Essex · London and the South East
Storm Damage Roof Report in Earls Colne
An independent record of roof damage after a storm in Earls Colne. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Broken or displaced guttering
- Flashings pulled away from walls or stacks
- Roofs hit by falling trees
When to book a survey in Earls Colne
Gusts work at anything on a roof that’s loose or exposed. Rain can then blow in where slates or tiles have gone. Most people book a report soon after a storm, when they’ve seen damage or water has come in.
Look out for signs like these:
- Damaged ridges and hips
- Damaged pots on the stack
- Flashings pulled away from walls or stacks
- Roofs hit by falling trees
Anyone responsible for a site like Earls Colne Primary School and Nursery will know that tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back.
Before you book anyone
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Their report turnaround times
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
Storm damage roof report in Earls Colne
Wear and tear is normally excluded from home insurance. So it matters whether the damage came from the storm or from a roof that was already worn. We note signs of each: recent damage alongside any older defects, like nail fatigue on slates or eroded pointing. We give an honest view of what we see. Your insurer then decides how its policy applies. If you are worried about flashings pulled away from walls or stacks and loose or broken chimney pots and cowls, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Older cottages and houses around Earls Colne may have roofs with little or no underlay. Without a sound underlay, any gap in the coverings lets water straight through. Whether it’s long-term wear or recent damage makes a difference to what happens next. Wet battens and insulation in the loft are frequently the first clue.
The report doesn’t just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- Earls Colne (CO6)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Earls Colne
Do you carry out roof surveys in Earls Colne?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Earls Colne as anywhere else.
Do you cover smaller places like Earls Colne?
Yes, Earls Colne is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Does your report mean my claim will be accepted?
The decision is your insurer’s, not ours. We record the damage, with photos and the likely cause, which you can pass to your insurer.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings.
Can I check the roof after a storm?
Safely, from ground level or a window. Don’t use a ladder or go onto the roof. Binoculars can help you see damage from below, and we will record the rest.
Can I challenge a declined storm claim?
Raise it with your insurer first. The Financial Ombudsman Service may look at it if that does not resolve it. The Ombudsman looks at whether there were storm conditions, whether the damage fits a storm and whether the storm was the main cause.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Also near Earls Colne
Other services in Earls Colne
Why act early in Earls Colne
It helps to get a record soon after the storm, while the damage is fresh. Later weather and temporary repairs can make it harder to see what happened. In an older home around Earls Colne, water from a roof defect can get into timber and plaster, and that’s a much bigger job than the original defect.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Storm damage roof report starts from £150, including VAT.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Earls Colne
- An independent view of the roof
- PI and public liability insurance
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Photographs and a written report every time
Read how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Arrange temporary cover with a roofer if rain is getting in
- File receipts for anything you pay for
- Take photos from the ground or a window, never by climbing
- Check how your policy defines a storm
After the visit, we write up the report with photos of each area of damage. It sets out what is damaged, the likely cause and any signs of older wear. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Clear gutters and outlets before the stormy months. Blocked drainage can add water damage to wind damage.
Wind, rain and roofs in Earls Colne
If your home is older, it’s worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas. Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, with post-war and more recent estates making up much of the newer housing. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in.
For an older house near a landmark such as Parish Church of St Andrew, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. For landlords with property near Chappel & Wakes Colne station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
Earls Colne is about 3 miles east of Halstead, in Essex. Wherever you are in Earls Colne, we can come and survey your property. We cover towns and villages across Essex, large and small. There’s also a page for Chelmsford.
Storm damage roof reports in CO6 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. You’ll find streets like High Street, Station Road and Foundry Lane. If you’re just outside Earls Colne, we cover Colne Engaine (1 mile north), Greenstead Green (2 miles west), Halstead (3 miles west), Pebmarsh (3 miles north) and Little Maplestead (4 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Colchester (9 miles east), Braintree (7 miles south-west), Maldon (14 miles south), Witham (9 miles south), Camulodunum (8 miles east) and Great Dunmow (15 miles west).
Around Earls Colne
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Lion Public House and Brickfield and Long Meadow. For rail, the closest station is Chappel & Wakes Colne station, about 2.6 miles east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Halstead Hospital (2.9 miles north-west) and Mount Bures (3.8 miles north-east). Open spaces near Earls Colne include Belcher's and Broadfield Woods.
What we look for on each type of roof
Slate roofs
After strong winds, we often see cracked and slipped slates. We photograph and describe each one.
Lead flashings
When flashings lift, water can get behind them. We note where this has happened and any damp inside.
What happens on the day
After the inspection, everything we found is written up as a photo-illustrated written report, sent to you by email. As for time on site, most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around Earls Colne, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- You let us know what happened and whether a roofer has made the roof safe.
- Inside, we look for signs of water in the loft and rooms below.
- The roof is inspected from ground level, windows and the roof where it is safe.
- We record fresh damage and older defects.
- You receive the written report with photos.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Keep pets in another room
Getting a price
When you are ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Related advice
Honest limits
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Areas we cannot see safely
- Estimates of repair costs
- The outcome of a claim
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll recommend the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Ridges and hips
- Gutters and fascias
- Flat roofs
- Flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Slate and tile slopes