Melbourne weather can move fast. A hailstorm or wind event that passes through in 20 minutes can leave real damage behind on roofs across entire suburbs. If your home has been through a significant weather event, here is what to do, and what not to do, in the hours and days after.
Step 1: Do Not Go on the Roof
The instinct to check for damage yourself is understandable, but a wet tile or metal roof after a storm is dangerous. Every year people are injured or killed falling from residential roofs. Leave the roof access to a licensed roof plumber with appropriate safety equipment.
You can usually identify obvious damage from ground level: dislodged tiles, visible holes in metal sheets, shifted ridge cappings, debris resting on the roof. Take photos from ground level and from inside the roof space if it is safely accessible.
Step 2: Document Everything
Before any emergency repairs or clean-up, document the damage as thoroughly as possible. Insurers need evidence of the event and the resulting damage.
- Photograph the exterior of the roof from multiple angles at ground level
Photograph any interior ceiling staining or water entry points
Check the Bureau of Meteorology storm records for your suburb, which record hail and high wind events. This is useful evidence for your claim.
Note the date and time of the storm and keep any news reports or emergency alerts that confirm the event in your area
Step 3: Contact Your Insurer
Notify your home insurer of the damage as soon as practical. Most home and contents policies cover storm damage to roofing. When you call, the insurer will open a claim and explain what documentation they need.
Key things to understand:
You are typically required to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, which means temporary repairs if water is entering the building. Keep all receipts for emergency work.
Insurers will usually want a report from a licensed tradesperson confirming the damage and its cause.
Pre-existing damage that was not caused by the storm may not be covered. If your roof was already in poor condition, the insurer may try to apportion costs.
Step 4: Get a Roof Inspection and Written Report
Your insurer will likely send their own assessor, but you are also entitled to get an independent report from a licensed roof plumber. Having your own report is useful if there is any dispute about the extent of damage or the cost of repairs.
A proper storm damage report from a licensed professional should include:
- Description of damage with photos
- Assessment of cause: whether the damage is consistent with the storm event
- Recommended scope of repair or replacement
Estimated cost of works
Step 5: Temporary Repairs if Needed
If water is entering the building, temporary repairs to prevent further damage are appropriate and are typically covered by insurance as part of the claim. This might include tarping over damaged sections or applying temporary sealant to breached flashings.
Make sure any temporary repairs are done by a licensed tradesperson, or at minimum keep receipts and photograph the work if you do something yourself. Insurers can reject claims where unapproved work has altered the damage.
What Happens if You Are in a Storm-Affected Suburb
After significant hail or wind events, the demand for roof repairs spikes sharply across affected suburbs. Wait times for non-emergency inspections can stretch out. Priority is generally given to homes with active water ingress.
Be cautious of unsolicited door-to-door contractors who appear immediately after a storm offering to inspect or repair your roof. Use a VBA-registered tradesperson with verifiable credentials.
