Emergency Roof Repair: What to Do in the First 24 Hours

First, make the building safe

An emergency roof repair starts inside, not on the roof. If water is running near light fixtures, outlets, or an electrical panel, shut off power to that area at the breaker before you touch anything. Move furniture and electronics clear, lift rugs, and keep people out of rooms where a ceiling is sagging or bulging — a saturated drywall ceiling can hold a surprising amount of water and let go without warning.

Do not climb onto a wet, wind-exposed, or storm-damaged roof. Most serious roofing injuries in Canada happen during exactly this kind of urgent, improvised work. Everything in the first 24 hours can be handled from inside the building or from the ground.

Contain the leak from inside

Put a bucket or bin under each drip and lay towels around it to stop splash-back into flooring. If a ceiling is bulging, place a container underneath and pierce the low point of the bulge with a screwdriver or awl to drain it in a controlled way. That feels wrong, but a single small hole is far cheaper to repair than a collapsed ceiling and it stops water spreading sideways through the ceiling cavity.

In the attic, if it is safe to enter, trace the water back toward the entry point and lay a tarp or plastic sheeting beneath the active drip, funnelling it into a bucket. Pull back saturated insulation so it does not hold moisture against the framing, and run a fan or dehumidifier once the flow has stopped. Mould can start in wet building materials within a couple of days.

Temporary exterior measures

If shingles have blown off or a branch has punctured the deck, a tarp is the standard temporary measure — but only when the roof is dry, the wind has dropped, and the pitch is walkable. A tarp should extend well past the damaged area and over the ridge, and be secured with boards screwed through the tarp rather than loose weights that shift in wind.

If any of those conditions are not met, leave it. Many roofing companies offer emergency tarping as a paid call-out, and a professional crew with fall protection can do in twenty minutes what would take a homeowner an unsafe hour.

Document everything for insurance

Before you clean up, photograph and video the damage: the exterior from the ground, any debris, interior stains, wet insulation, and damaged contents. Note the date and the weather event. Keep receipts for tarps, fans, and emergency call-outs — most Canadian home insurance policies cover reasonable costs to prevent further damage, but they expect you to have taken action.

Call your insurer early, even before repairs are quoted. Ask what their process is for emergency work versus permanent repairs, so you do not accidentally start a full replacement that has not been approved.

Getting a professional inspection

Storms bring door-knockers. Be cautious of anyone pressuring you to sign on the spot, asking for large cash deposits, or offering to cover your deductible. A legitimate contractor will provide a written scope of work, proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, and references you can actually reach.

Ask for the roof deck to be inspected, not just the surface. Wind and impact damage often loosens fasteners and flashing well beyond the visible hole, and a repair that only patches the obvious spot tends to leak again in the next storm.

Get expert help

If you are dealing with an active leak or storm damage and want a professional assessment and repair, TNS Contracting provides emergency roofing services and full inspections. You can reach their team at tnscontracting.ca.