Emergency Call-Out in Henley-on-Thames: Rescuing a Storm-Damaged Slate Roof (and Undoing a Botched “Fix”)

What We Found on Arrival

• Roof type: Natural slate (traditional nailed slate covering).
• Storm damage: Missing and slipped slates on the windward slope, torn underlay, cracked battens, and water ingress to loft insulation.
• Complication: A recent “repair” had been carried out by a contractor with no traceable registration or recognised accreditation. The methods used were not appropriate for a slate roof, leaving the area in significant disrepair. We rectified the unsafe elements, made the property watertight, and rebuilt the area to best practice.
   
  

Same-Evening Make-Safe

Our priority was to stop the water and eliminate hazards - properly. We:

• Removed the unsafe patch and loose fragments the previous team left behind.
• Installed a heavy-duty breathable temporary covering, fixed to sound timbers (not through the laps), with controlled, storm-resistant weighting.
• Secured vulnerable courses of slate and set up internal drip protection to keep the ceiling dry overnight.
  Result: The leak stopped that night, and the customer finally got some sleep.

Permanent Slate Repair (Next Day)

With a dry window in the morning, we completed a full, durable repair:

1. Strip-back to sound fabric: We carefully lifted the affected slate courses and ridge area to expose torn underlay and failed battens.
2. Renew the substrate: Replaced damaged battens to current best practice and fitted breathable underlay with correct headlaps.
3. Re-slate to match: Installed like-for-like natural slates, fixed with copper nails and stainless fixings where required, maintaining the correct nailing pattern and bond.
4. Storm-secure ridge: Upgraded to a mechanically-fixed dry ridge solution for better ventilation and wind uplift resistance (no mortar to crack or wash out).
5. Leadwork check: Re-dressed and sealed the lead at the abutment for a clean, watertight finish.
6. Runoff restored: Cleared gutters/valleys so storm water moves off the roof as designed.

Why the Previous “Repair” Failed

• Membrane pierced: Nailing through underlay invites leaks.
• Adhesives on slate: Mastic and random cement smears don’t substitute for correct slate fixing and laps.
• No controlled laps/coverage: Wind can get under poorly lapped courses and lift slates again.
• Water traps: Debris and smeared mortar blocked drainage paths, pushing water sideways into the roof.

The Outcome

By late afternoon, the roof was watertight, tidy, and more storm-resilient than before. Because the make-safe happened immediately, the ceiling below dried without staining.  
We documented the before/after with photos for the customer’s records and insurance.

“From panic to relief in a couple of hours. The first repair we’d been told was ‘done’ clearly wasn’t—but your team sorted everything properly, and the roof looks better than before the storm.”
— J., Henley-on-Thames

Quick Tips for Slate Roofs Before/After Storms

• Scan ridge lines and windward slopes for slipped or “fluttering” slates.
• Keep valleys and gutters clear so water can’t back up into laps.
• Avoid DIY patches and stop-gaps that pierce the membrane or trap water.
• Consider dry-fix upgrades on exposed ridges for better wind resistance.
• Book a rapid post-storm check - small slate issues escalate quickly in high winds.

Before you hire a roofer, check:

• Company details: A real business name/number and a traceable address (Companies House listing if LTD/LLP).
• Insurance: Current public liability insurance (ask for the certificate).
• Trade affiliations: Membership of recognised bodies (e.g., NFRC) or written proof of competence.
• Written scope & warranty: Clear specification, materials, and guarantees in writing.
• References & reviews: Recent local jobs you can verify.

If you’re in Henley-on-Thames or nearby and a storm has hit your slate roof, we offer fast, professional make-safe call-outs followed by long-lasting, standards-led repairs. We’ll get you watertight - properly.