Is it really an emergency?
Every leak is pressing, but not every leak needs someone at three in the morning. An emergency is a situation where waiting until the next day clearly makes the damage worse or puts someone in danger.
- Water is coming in heavily and buckets are no longer enough.
- Part of the roofing has been torn off and the layer underneath is exposed.
- A tree or a large branch has fallen on the roof.
- The ceiling is sagging or threatening to fall.
- Water is reaching wires, an electrical panel or light fixtures.
- A piece of metal or roofing is hanging and could fall onto the sidewalk.
A drip that a bucket can contain can wait until morning. That leak then becomes an ordinary roof repair, to handle quickly, without the fees of an emergency call.
The first few minutes
- Move people and pets away from the affected room, especially if the ceiling is bulging.
- Shut off power to the affected area at the panel, if you can reach it with dry feet.
- Catch the water and move what you can.
- Take photos, even quick ones.
- Look outside from the ground or a window, without going near a fallen wire or an unstable tree.
If anyone is in danger, if you see downed power lines or if you smell gas, get out and call 911.
Who to contact
Us, for the roof. Write to us and describe the situation in a few words, such as the type of roof, the height of the building, what you see and since when. Ask us when we can come and how the work will be billed. A form does not get an immediate answer. If water is coming in and you cannot wait for our reply, also look for a roofer who answers the phone and offers emergency service.
Your insurer. Notify your insurer early and ask what emergency measures to take. Only your insurer can tell you what your policy provides.
What gets done in an emergency
In emergency work, the first job is to stop the water, not to redo the roof. Depending on the case, that means putting down a tarp, plugging an opening, clearing a drain or removing something that threatens to fall.
Some roofers work outside regular hours, others do not. Ask us whether we do. If conditions are too dangerous, the inside is secured first and the roof waits for a lull. An icy roof, violent wind, lightning or darkness rule out any work at height. The wait is frustrating, but it is legitimate.
The permanent repair is decided later, in daylight. Ask us for a damage assessment and a written proposal. You remain free to get other quotes for the permanent work.
During a major storm
When wind or freezing rain hits the whole island, roofers get dozens of calls at once. Wait times get longer. Be ready to manage for a few hours on your own inside.
Be wary of people who knock on your door after a storm offering an immediate repair. Before signing anything, ask for the contractor's licence number. In Quebec, a construction contractor must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec. The public register on the RBQ website lets you check in a minute.
Frequently asked questions
Do roofers really come out at night?
Some contractors work outside regular hours. Ask us whether we do and when we can come. A form sent at night does not get an immediate answer. If water is coming in and you cannot wait, also look for a roofer who answers the phone. Night work is limited to securing the inside and putting down a tarp when conditions allow. Nobody goes up on an icy roof, in the dark or in the middle of a storm, not even us. The full repair is done in daylight.
Does emergency roof repair cost more?
Yes, emergency work generally costs more. A call outside regular hours, at night or on the weekend, is paid for. Ask us how the work is billed before you accept the call-out.
Can I go up and put a tarp on myself in the meantime?
No, do not go up and put a tarp on yourself. A wet, icy or windswept roof is one of the most dangerous places in a home. Focus on the inside and leave the roof to people equipped to work on it tied off.