What to Do When Your Roof Is Leaking: Emergency Response Guide

Immediate Action Steps (First 5 Minutes)

Water dripping from your ceiling. Stains spreading across the drywall. Your heart sinks.

Every second matters now. The first five minutes after discovering a roof leak can mean the difference between minor repairs and thousands in water damage. Here's what to do right now.

Contain Water Damage: Protect Your Home

You've got the buckets in place. Electronics are safe.

Now focus on limiting how far the water spreads. Water doesn't just drip straight down. It follows rafters, runs along pipes, travels through wiring channels. You might find damage ten feet from where the drip hits your floor.

Manage Interior Water

Set a timer on your phone for every 30 minutes during heavy rain. Check those buckets religiously. An overflowing bucket defeats the whole point and now you've got water spreading across floors you tried to protect.

Place towels in a ring around each drip zone. They catch the splash and overflow you didn't anticipate. When water pools on flat surfaces, use bunched-up towels to guide it toward your containers like little dams steering a stream.

Get air moving with fans to stop mold before it starts. But keep those fans away from wet areas. One spark near water and you've got bigger problems than a leak.

Check for Hidden Water Damage

Roof leaks are sneaky. They damage places you wouldn't think to look.

Head up to your attic if you can do it safely. Feel the insulation. Wet insulation stops working and grows mold fast. Check the walls next to the leak area, run your hand along them looking for dampness or cold spots. Water stains might be showing up on lower floors as water travels down through wall cavities.

Look at electrical fixtures and outlets near the leak. Any water there means you shut off power now. Check inside closets and storage spaces below the leak. Water finds its way into the places you forget about.

How to Locate the Source of Your Roof Leak

Here's the tricky part. Water almost never drips straight down from where it enters your roof.

It travels. Runs along rafters, follows the underside of roof decking, slides down pipes. You might see a drip in your living room but the actual hole is three feet away in a different direction entirely.

Safe Attic Inspection

If you've got attic access and it's safe to climb up there, timing matters. Go during rain or right after when water's still active. Bring a good flashlight.

Look for water trails on rafters and roof decking. Shiny wet streaks tell the story of where water traveled. Follow those wet marks upward to their highest point. That's where you're getting closer to the actual leak source.

Mark the spot with chalk or tape so repair crews know where to look. Take photos of everything. Your insurance company will want to see it, and contractors need the reference.

Common Leak Source Areas

Ontario roofs fail in predictable places. Chimney flashing ranks high on the list. Those metal seals around chimneys break down over time and let water sneak through. Roof valleys are another hotspot where two roof planes meet and ice plus debris pile up.

Wind damage hits our area hard. Missing or curled shingles after a storm often mean water's getting in. Any place something pokes through your roof (vents, skylights, pipes) creates a potential leak point. The sealant around these penetrations cracks and fails.

Winter brings ice dams, a major problem in Ontario. Ice builds up at roof edges and forces water backward under your shingles. And clogged gutters back water up under the roof edge instead of channeling it away like they should.

External Roof Inspection (If Safe)

Safety first: Only inspect your roof from the ground or through windows. Never climb on a wet roof. It's extremely dangerous and kills people every year.

Grab binoculars and check from ground level. Look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Check the flashing around chimneys and vents for damage. Scan valleys and gutters for debris clogs. Watch for sagging areas that signal structural problems. And if you can see daylight through your roof from the attic, you found your leak.

Temporary Emergency Fixes (Until Professionals Arrive)

These aren't real repairs. They're stopgaps to limit damage while you wait for professionals. But they can save you thousands in water damage.

1. Interior Leak Containment

That bulging ceiling we talked about earlier. Poke a small drain hole at the lowest point to release water in a controlled way. Sounds counterintuitive but it prevents the whole ceiling from crashing down on your furniture.

Use multiple small containers instead of one giant bucket. They're easier to empty without spilling everywhere. Here's a trick: attach a string or cloth strip from the leak point down to your bucket. Water follows the path instead of splashing all over your floor.

2. Attic Leak Barriers

If you can safely reach the leak source in your attic, put a bucket right under it. Use plywood or plastic sheeting to build a temporary dam that redirects water flow.

But don't try to repair the roof decking from inside. That's professional work and you'll make it worse if you don't know what you're doing.

3. Emergency Roof Tarping (Professional Recommended)

Tarping a roof is dangerous work. Professionals should handle it. Period.

If you absolutely must tarp and can't get professional help, wait for the rain to stop. Use a heavy-duty tarp, at least 6-mil thickness. Extend it at least 4 feet past the damaged area on all sides. Secure it with 2x4 boards. Don't nail into your roof during an emergency, you'll create more leak points. Weight the edges with sandbags. Have someone spot you and use safety equipment.

But seriously, call a professional for this. The fall risk isn't worth it.

4. Small Shingle Repairs (Minor Leaks)

For tiny, easily reached shingle problems in dry weather, roofing cement can temporarily seal small cracks or lifted shingles. Apply it from underneath the shingle with a caulking gun. Press the shingle flat and weight it down while the cement sets.

This is temporary. You still need professional repair.

Document Damage for Insurance Claims

Proper documentation makes the difference between a smooth insurance claim and a denied one.

Start documenting now. Pull out your phone.

Photo and Video Evidence

Photograph the ceiling stains, wall damage, damaged belongings, standing water. Get video of water actively dripping or pooling. Take photos of visible roof damage from outside like missing shingles or damaged flashing around chimneys.

Shoot wide-angle photos showing the full extent of affected areas. Then get close-ups of specific damage points. Your phone automatically timestamps photos. Don't disable this feature, that timestamp proves when the damage occurred.

Written Documentation

Write down the date and time you discovered the leak. Note the weather conditions (check Environment Canada records for your area if you need official data). Describe the damage in detail. List damaged items with their estimated values.

Record what emergency measures you took to stop further damage. Write down names and contact info for any emergency responders who showed up.

Save Damaged Items

Don't throw anything away yet. Insurance adjusters might need to inspect damaged property before you can toss it.

Move damaged stuff to a safe, dry spot. Keep every receipt for emergency repairs and supplies. Document all expenses related to the leak. That $30 tarp and those $15 buckets add up, and insurance often reimburses you.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Call your home insurance provider as soon as you're safe. Report the leak right away. Ask about emergency repair coverage limits so you know what's covered before you spend money.

Find out what documentation they need. Get your claim number and adjuster contact information. Ask if they require you to use specific contractors or if you can choose your own.

When to Call a Professional Roofer

Some roof leaks demand immediate professional help right this second. Others can wait until morning.

Here's how to tell the difference.

Call Emergency Roofing Services Immediately If:

• Heavy active leaking: Multiple gallons per hour or multiple leak points
• Ceiling bulging or sagging: Indicates imminent collapse risk
• During active storms: Damage will multiply while you wait
• Water near electrical: Fire and electrocution hazards require immediate attention
• Visible structural damage: Sagging roof sections or interior beams
• Attic flooding: Water pooling in attic space can cause ceiling collapse
• Winter ice dam leaking: Can cause catastrophic damage quickly in Ontario's freeze-thaw cycles

Schedule Next-Day Service For:

• Minor contained leaks: Successfully contained with buckets, safe to wait until morning
• Small stains after rain: Discovered after the rain stopped and not actively leaking
• Slow drips: Not getting worse or spreading to new areas
• Attic condensation: Moisture issues rather than active roof penetration

What to Expect from Emergency Roofers

Good Ontario emergency roofing services respond within 1-4 hours for true emergencies. They assess the damage and provide temporary weatherproofing. You'll get a written estimate for permanent repairs. They work with your insurance company if needed, and schedule follow-up for complete permanent repair.

Emergency Roofing Help in Ontario

Your roof is leaking. You need help fast.

We connect Ontario homeowners with trusted emergency roofing contractors who offer 24/7 response. They serve all of Ontario, from Windsor-Essex to Ottawa, Toronto to Sudbury. They provide temporary weatherproofing and permanent repairs. They work with insurance companies. They have proven track records with Ontario homeowners.

DIY Emergency? Know When to Stop

While waiting for professional help, there are hard limits to safe DIY repairs.

Prevent Future Roof Leaks

You handled the emergency and got the repairs finished. Now it's time to put systems in place so you never have to deal with this stress again.

Regular Roof Inspections

Inspect your roof twice a year, spring and fall, before harsh weather hits. Check after major storms too. High winds and ice storms damage roofs immediately. Get a professional inspection every 3-5 years to catch problems before they become emergencies. And always inspect before winter to make sure your roof can handle ice and snow loads.

Maintenance Best Practices for Ontario Homes

Clean your gutters at least twice a year, more often if trees hang over your roof. Trim those overhanging branches to prevent debris buildup and direct damage. Check the flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights and seal any gaps you find.

Replace damaged shingles right away. One missing shingle leads to widespread damage fast. Make sure your attic has proper ventilation to prevent ice dams and moisture buildup. Monitor your attic insulation too. Good insulation stops ice dams before they start.

Address These Warning Signs Early

Catch problems before they turn into leaks:

• Curling or cracked shingles
• Granules accumulating in gutters
• Daylight visible through roof boards (from attic)
• Sagging areas on roof surface
• Missing or damaged flashing
• Water stains in attic (even if ceiling below is dry)
• Moss or algae growth on shingles

Want to learn more about identifying roof problems? Read our guide on Signs of Roof Damage Every Ontario Homeowner Should Know.

Ontario Climate Challenges

Our climate makes roof maintenance harder. Get your attic insulation and ventilation right before winter to prevent ice dams. We get frequent high winds in Ontario, so inspect after every windstorm. Freeze-thaw cycles turn small cracks into major leaks as water freezes and expands. Watch snow accumulation on your roof and arrange removal when it gets excessive.

Learn more in our guide: Ice Dams in Ontario: Prevention and Removal.

Frequently Asked Questions