Emergency call-outs across Devon, day or night
When a roof fails, it rarely waits for convenient office hours. High winds lift tiles in the middle of the night, flat roofs give way during heavy rain, and chimney stacks can become unstable after a storm with little warning. Bramwell Roofing Devon provides a 24/7 emergency call-out service for homes and businesses across the county, dealing with the sort of sudden damage that needs attention straight away rather than left to worsen.
We cover all areas of Devon, including Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, Paignton, Newton Abbot and the surrounding villages and towns. If you have a roof emergency, call the office on 01392 308173 or the mobile on 07598 001 200 to speak to someone directly.
What counts as a roofing emergency
Not every roof problem needs an immediate call-out, but some situations do need prompt attention to prevent further damage to the structure or the contents of the building below. Typical emergencies we attend include:
- Storm damage following high winds or heavy rain
- Sudden leaks coming through ceilings or walls
- Missing or slipped tiles and slates after a gale
- Fallen chimney pots or an unstable chimney stack
- Damaged or split flat roofing letting in water
- Debris or fallen branches that have breached the roof covering
If you are unsure whether your situation is urgent, call us and describe what you can see and hear. We can usually advise over the phone whether a call-out is needed or whether the repair can be scheduled as routine work.
What we do when we arrive
The first priority with any emergency is to make the property safe. This often means fitting temporary weatherproofing such as tarpaulins over damaged sections of roof, or a temporary chimney cover where a stack has lost pots or capping. Flat roofs with splits or blow-offs can often be temporarily sealed to stop water ingress until a permanent repair is arranged.
Once the property is secure, we assess the extent of the damage properly. This might mean checking pitched roof coverings, inspecting tiled or slate roofs for slipped or cracked units, or looking closer at flat roofing that has failed at a joint or upstand. Where a chimney is involved, we check the stack, flashing and pointing, since many leaks blamed on the chimney itself actually stem from flashing or pointing failures around the base.
From there we recommend proportionate work. In many cases a targeted repair is enough to put things right, and we will not suggest a full replacement where it isn’t needed. If the roof structure or covering has reached the point where repair no longer makes sense, we will explain why and set out the options clearly before any work goes ahead.
Common causes of emergency call-outs in Devon
Devon’s exposed coastal towns and rural areas see their share of severe weather, and certain patterns come up again and again. Wind-driven rain forces its way under loose tiles or through failed flashing, particularly around chimneys and roof valleys. Older flat roofs on extensions and garages can fail suddenly once a membrane splits. Gutters blocked with leaves and moss, especially after autumn storms, can overflow and send water back under the roof covering rather than away from the building, something we cover in more detail in our guide on why gutters become blocked in autumn.
After any significant storm, it’s worth knowing what to check on your roof after high winds and heavy rain, even if nothing seems obviously wrong. Small issues such as a lifted ridge tile or a hairline crack in flashing can turn into a much bigger leak before the next spell of bad weather. If you’re dealing with a flat roof that keeps causing problems, our article on flat roof repair or replacement explains how to judge which option suits your property. We also have a guide to common roof flashing problems if you want to understand what might be letting water in around chimneys, dormers or roof junctions.
What to do while you’re waiting
If you’ve got a leak or storm damage and you’re waiting for us to attend, there are a few sensible steps that can limit the damage and keep everyone safe in the meantime.
- Stay away from any area where the ceiling is bulging or sagging, as this can indicate trapped water and a risk of collapse
- Place buckets or containers to catch dripping water and move furniture or belongings out of the way where possible
- If water is near light fittings, switches or any electrical equipment, switch off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit if you can do so safely
- Avoid going onto the roof or into the loft yourself, particularly in poor weather or at night
- Take photographs of the damage and any water ingress, which will be useful if you need to contact your insurer
These steps are about containing the situation safely, not fixing it. Leave the roof itself to us once we arrive.
After the emergency: permanent repairs
A temporary fix is exactly that, temporary. Once the weather has settled and we’ve had a proper look at the roof in daylight, we’ll set out what permanent repair is needed. This could involve re-fixing or replacing tiles and slates, repairing or rebuilding sections of chimney, renewing flashing, or replacing a section of flat roof covering. Where the rest of the roof is in reasonable condition, we focus the repair on the damaged area rather than proposing unnecessary wider work.
If there’s any doubt about the condition of the roof as a whole, a roof survey can help establish what else might need attention, including guttering, soffits and fascias, chimney repairs or conservatory roof repairs. You can see the full range of work we carry out on our roofing services page. We also handle emergency and follow-up work specifically in Plymouth and Torquay, alongside the rest of Devon.
Arrange an emergency call-out
If you’ve got storm damage, a sudden leak, or a chimney or roof that doesn’t look safe, get in touch straight away. Call the office on 01392 308173 or the mobile on 07598 001 200, or use our contact page to send us the details of what’s happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you cover emergency roofing in Exeter and the surrounding area?
Yes, we handle emergency roofing in Exeter and across Devon, from storm damage and leaks to chimney and flat roof problems.
Can you fit a temporary chimney cover if pots have come down in Torquay?
Yes, fitting a temporary chimney cover is one of the most common jobs we do after high winds in Torquay and along the coast, to stop further water getting into the stack until a permanent repair can be carried out.
Will you give me a fixed time for when you’ll arrive?
We don’t quote fixed arrival times, since emergency work depends on the nature of each call and the conditions on the day. Call us and we’ll talk through the situation and next steps.
Is a temporary tarpaulin or cover enough, or will I need further work?
A tarpaulin or temporary cover is only there to stop water getting in straight away. Once it’s safe to do so, we assess the roof properly and recommend the permanent repair that’s actually needed.
What should I do if water is coming through near a light fitting?
If it’s safe to do so, switch off the relevant electrical circuit at the consumer unit and keep away from the area until the roof has been made safe.
