Written by Five Star Roofing | Published on July 2025
After a storm, the first things you should do are stay safe, document all visible damage with photos, and contact a licensed roofing contractor for an inspection before attempting any DIY repairs. Storm damage to roofs is one of the most common calls we receive at Five Star Roofing across New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT, especially after hail, high winds, and intense summer storms.
This guide covers everything you need to do in the right order, from your initial safety check to lodging an insurance claim and booking professional repairs. Acting quickly and in the correct sequence can save you thousands of dollars in secondary damage.
Prioritise Safety Before Anything Else
Your safety comes before any inspection or damage assessment. Storm damage can leave roofs structurally unstable, and walking on or near a compromised roof is genuinely dangerous.
- Do not go onto your roof under any circumstances immediately after a storm.
- Check inside your home for leaks, water stains, or ceiling bulging, which can indicate pooled water above.
- If water is pooling near your electrical panel or outlets, turn off power to affected areas and call an electrician first.
- Keep children and pets away from areas where debris, broken tiles, or gutters may have fallen.
- If your roof structure looks visibly buckled or partially collapsed, evacuate and call emergency services.
In areas like Western Sydney, the Gold Coast, or Canberra, storms can arrive quickly and leave behind debris that is not immediately obvious. A professional assessment is the safest next step once conditions have cleared.
Document All Storm Damage Thoroughly
Before any repairs begin, thorough documentation is essential for your insurance claim. Insurers in Australia require clear evidence of the damage, and photos taken before cleanup or temporary repairs carry significant weight.
Here is what to document and how to do it properly:
- Photograph from the ground. Use your phone or a camera with zoom to capture roof damage without climbing up. Get wide shots and close-ups of broken tiles, missing sections, and bent flashing.
- Document interior damage. Photograph any water stains on ceilings, wet insulation, damaged plasterboard, or waterlogged belongings in the roof cavity.
- Record gutters and downpipes. Blocked or bent gutters after a storm are often covered under storm damage claims.
- Note the date and time. Cross-reference your photos with Bureau of Meteorology records for your area, which can support your claim timeline.
- Keep all receipts. If you buy tarps or other materials for emergency protection, save the receipts for reimbursement.
Five Star Roofing can provide a written inspection report after assessing your roof, which many insurers in NSW, QLD, and the ACT accept as supporting documentation for claims.
Understand What Storm Damage Looks Like on Australian Roofs
Storm damage is not always obvious from the ground. Knowing what to look for helps you communicate clearly with your insurer and your roofing contractor.
| Type of Storm Damage | What It Looks Like | Common in Which Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Hail impact damage | Dents or cracks in tiles, bruised asphalt shingles, damaged gutters | Sydney Basin, ACT, SE Queensland |
| Wind uplift damage | Missing or lifted tiles, torn sarking, displaced ridge caps | Coastal NSW, Far North QLD |
| Debris impact | Cracked or broken tiles from fallen branches or objects | All regions with tree coverage |
| Flashing failure | Leaks around chimneys, skylights, or valleys after rain | All regions |
| Gutter and downpipe damage | Bent, blocked, or detached gutters | All regions |
| Ponding water | Standing water on flat or low-pitch roofs after heavy rain | Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra |
Terracotta and concrete tiles, which are extremely common across Sydney and southeast Queensland, can crack on impact without fully dislodging. That means a roof can look intact from the street but still be letting water in.
Apply Temporary Protection to Prevent Further Damage
If your roof has obvious holes or missing sections, temporary weatherproofing can prevent additional water ingress while you wait for professional repairs. This step matters because secondary water damage to your ceiling, insulation, and internal walls can cost far more than the roof repair itself.
Acceptable temporary measures include:
- Tarping over damaged areas using heavy-duty polyethylene tarps secured with sandbags or weighted timber. Do not use nails or screws unless instructed by a professional, as this can worsen damage.
- Placing buckets or towels inside to catch dripping water from ceiling leaks, and checking them regularly.
- Contacting a licensed roofing contractor for emergency tarping services. Many roofing companies, including Five Star Roofing, offer after-hours emergency response across the Sydney metro, ACT, and parts of QLD.
Australian insurance policies generally require homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a weather event. Failing to do so can reduce or void your claim. Keep records of any temporary protection measures you take.
Contact Your Insurer and Understand Your Policy
Once you have documented the damage and applied any necessary temporary protection, contact your home and contents insurer as soon as possible. Most Australian policies have timeframes for lodging storm damage claims, and delays can complicate the process.
| Step | What to Do | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Notify your insurer | Call or lodge online to start your claim | Within 24 to 48 hours of the storm |
| Provide documentation | Submit photos, videos, and any receipts for emergency repairs | As soon as possible after notifying |
| Get a repair assessment | Book a licensed roofing contractor to inspect and quote | Within 1 to 5 days depending on demand |
| Insurer assessment | Your insurer may send their own assessor to verify damage | Varies, often 3 to 10 business days |
| Repairs approved and scheduled | Contractor completes permanent repairs | Subject to parts availability and demand |
Be aware that after major storm events in NSW and QLD, such as east coast lows or severe hail events, insurers and roofing companies can be overwhelmed with claims. Acting quickly gives you a better position in the queue.
Check whether your policy covers the full replacement cost or just the current market value of damaged materials. This distinction matters significantly for older roofs.
Choose a Licensed Roofing Contractor for Repairs
After a major storm, unlicensed contractors often appear in affected areas offering cheap, fast repairs. This is a known issue in storm-affected suburbs across Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra. These operators frequently cause more damage than they fix and rarely provide warranties.
Here is what to check before hiring any roofer after storm damage:
- Valid contractor licence. In NSW, roofing contractors must hold a licence through NSW Fair Trading. In QLD, check the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). In the ACT, licences are issued through Access Canberra.
- Insurance coverage. Confirm they hold public liability insurance and workers compensation. Ask for certificates.
- Written quote. Never accept verbal agreements. A written quote should specify materials, scope of work, timelines, and payment terms.
- Local references or reviews. A reputable local company will have verifiable reviews and prior customers in your area.
- No large upfront payments. Legitimate contractors do not demand full payment before work begins.
Five Star Roofing is fully licensed and insured across NSW, QLD, and the ACT. Our team carries out post-storm inspections, provides detailed written reports, and works directly with your insurer where required to make the repair process as straightforward as possible.
Understand Repair Costs and Timelines After Storm Damage
Repair costs after storm damage vary depending on the severity of damage, your roof type, material availability, and where you are located. Here are realistic ranges for common post-storm repairs across NSW, QLD, and ACT as of 2025.
| Repair Type | Estimated Cost Range (AUD) | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Replace broken roof tiles (small area) | $300 to $800 | Half day to 1 day |
| Replace missing ridge caps | $400 to $1,200 | 1 day |
| Repair or replace roof flashing | $250 to $700 | Half day |
| Partial roof replacement (storm section) | $3,000 to $9,000 | 1 to 3 days |
| Full roof replacement after major damage | $12,000 to $30,000+ | 3 to 7 days |
| Gutter and downpipe repair or replacement | $500 to $2,500 | Half day to 1 day |
| Emergency tarping (temporary) | $300 to $900 | Same day service |
These are general estimates. Costs can increase significantly after widespread storm events due to material and labour demand. In areas like the ACT, where winter storms can follow summer hail events, scheduling repairs promptly helps avoid weather-related delays.
If your insurer is covering the repair, your out-of-pocket cost will typically be your excess amount plus any costs for upgrades or improvements beyond like-for-like restoration.
FAQs on Roof Repairs After Storm Damage
How quickly do I need to report storm damage to my insurer?
Most Australian home insurers require you to report storm damage as soon as reasonably practicable, which typically means within 24 to 48 hours of the event. Delaying your notification can lead to complications or denial of your claim, so contact your insurer as soon as it is safe to do so.
Can I claim for roof repairs if the damage was caused by a pre-existing problem?
Insurers in NSW, QLD, and the ACT will generally only cover damage that was directly caused by the storm event. If a pre-existing defect, such as old cracked tiles or poorly maintained flashing, contributed to the damage, your insurer may reduce or decline the claim. Regular roof maintenance helps protect your claim eligibility.
Do I need to use the repairer my insurer recommends?
In most cases, you have the right to choose your own licensed contractor, though some policies include preferred repairer programs. Check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully. If you use your own contractor, ensure they are licensed and provide a written quote for your insurer to review.
How long does it take to get roof repairs done after a big storm in Sydney or Brisbane?
After a widespread storm event, roofing contractors and insurers can be backed up for several weeks. In major hail events across Sydney or southeast QLD, wait times for non-emergency repairs can stretch to 4 to 8 weeks. Emergency tarping and temporary protection can be organised much faster, often within 24 to 48 hours.
Will my insurer cover the cost of a full roof replacement if only part of it was damaged?
This depends on your policy and the extent of the damage. If the damaged tiles or materials are discontinued and a full replacement is required to match, some insurers will cover the full cost. Others may only cover the damaged section. A written assessment from a licensed roofer like Five Star Roofing can support your case with the insurer.
Is hail damage always visible on roof tiles?
Not always. Hail damage to terracotta or concrete tiles can appear as hairline cracks or subtle bruising that is not visible from the ground. Damage to sarking and roof membranes beneath tiles is also common after hail and is only detectable during a professional inspection. Do not assume your roof is fine just because it looks intact from the street.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
After storm damage, acting fast and in the right order makes a real difference to both the safety of your home and the outcome of your insurance claim. Prioritise safety, document everything, apply temporary protection if needed, and get a licensed contractor in to inspect before committing to any permanent repairs.
Five Star Roofing serves homeowners across New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT with professional storm damage inspections, written reports, and high-quality repairs. If your roof has been hit by recent storms, call us now on +64211234567 to book an inspection or request a quote. The sooner you act, the better protected your home will be.
