Jonas Storm Goretti swept across the UK on 24 March 2026, bringing snow, sleet and gusts of up to 50mph across Scotland and northern England. With the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for snow and ice, homeowners across Britain are now facing a familiar question: how much damage has actually been done — and when do you need to call a professional?
What Storm Goretti brought to the UK
According to the Met Office, Storm Goretti delivered its worst impact across Scotland and northern England, with snow accumulations of 5 to 15cm recorded above 300 metres on 23–24 March. Further south, freezing rain and ice created hazardous conditions on roads and pavements.
Overnight temperatures dropped to minus 4°C in parts of the Midlands, catching many homeowners off-guard after a mild earlier month. GB News reported gusts of 70mph in coastal areas of Scotland, while the Environment Agency issued flood alerts for rivers in Yorkshire and Cumbria.
This pattern — a late-March cold snap following a warm spell — is precisely the scenario that causes the most structural damage. Freeze-thaw cycles are far more damaging to roofs, guttering and brickwork than sustained cold weather alone.
The 7 things to check in your home right now
1. Your roof tiles and flashing
Wind and ice are the most common causes of displaced or cracked tiles. From ground level, look for tiles that appear out of alignment, dark wet patches on your ceiling, or daylight visible through your loft hatch. Do not attempt to climb onto the roof yourself — this is a job for a professional roofer.
2. Guttering and downpipes
Heavy snow accumulation followed by rapid thaw can buckle plastic guttering and dislodge downpipe brackets. Check for water spilling over the edges of gutters during rainfall, and look for sagging sections along the fascia board.
3. External brickwork and pointing
Freeze-thaw cycles force water into hairline cracks, which then expand as temperatures drop. Look for mortar that has crumbled or fallen out between bricks, particularly on north-facing walls that receive the least sun. Spalling brickwork (where the face of the brick flakes away) is a sign of moisture ingress.
4. Window and door frames
Timber frames in older properties are particularly vulnerable. Check for gaps opening up around frames, condensation between double-glazing panes, or difficulty closing doors and windows properly — all signs that movement may have occurred.
5. Loft insulation and ventilation
Ice can form in under-insulated lofts and then melt rapidly when temperatures rise, causing water damage to ceilings below. Check your loft for signs of damp patches, frost residue or damaged insulation batts.
6. Burst or [frozen pipes](/gb/news/uk-snow-forecast-march-2026-frozen-pipes-home-damage)
If you notice reduced water pressure, unexplained damp patches on walls, or hear a ticking or knocking sound in your pipes, you may have a freeze-damaged pipe. The areas most at risk are pipes in unheated spaces — under kitchen units, in the loft, in garages.
7. Your garden walls and fences
Storm Goretti's gusts were strong enough to topple weakened fence panels. Leaning or buckled fence posts and cracked capping stones on garden walls are worth addressing before the next stormy spell — a fallen wall or fence can be a legal liability if it damages a neighbour's property or injures someone.
When to call a tradesperson
For superficial issues — a sagging gutter bracket, a missing fence panel — a competent DIYer can often make temporary repairs safely. But for anything involving:
- Your roof (above gutter level)
- Structural cracks in external walls
- Water ingress into your loft or ceilings
- Burst pipes or unexplained plumbing issues
…you should contact a qualified tradesperson. Attempting complex repairs without the right experience or equipment can void your home insurance and create additional safety risks.
Most reputable builders and roofers in the UK are registered with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) or TrustMark, both of which offer dispute resolution if work goes wrong.
What about your home insurance?
Storm damage is covered under the buildings section of most standard UK home insurance policies. However, there are important caveats:
- Gradual deterioration is almost never covered. If a tile that was already cracked gets blown off in the storm, your insurer may argue the damage was pre-existing.
- Frozen pipes are covered by most policies, but only if you can demonstrate you took reasonable steps to prevent freezing (e.g., maintaining a minimum temperature in the property while away).
- Contents cover applies separately to buildings insurance — if a burst pipe damages your furniture or appliances, check your contents policy.
Take photographs of all visible damage immediately, before making any temporary repairs. Insurers will ask for evidence of the storm's role in causing the damage.
Don't wait too long
The risk with post-storm damage is procrastination. Small issues — a hairline crack in render, a slightly lifted tile — become expensive problems if left over months of spring rain. A qualified tradesperson can assess your property in a couple of hours and give you a clear picture of what needs fixing now and what can wait.
On Expert Zoom, you can connect quickly with experienced builders, roofers and tradespeople available in your area. You can also read our guide on how to protect your home from UK spring storms for further preventive advice.
This article is for general guidance only. Always consult a qualified professional before carrying out structural repairs.
