Storm Damage Roof Repair Ontario | Wind & Hail Damage Assessment

Professional storm damage roof repair across Ontario

A storm hits Ontario. Wind gusts past 100 km/h. Hail the size of golf balls. Ice that builds up for weeks.

Your roof takes a beating. And sometimes, it doesn't hold up.

Ontario weather isn't kind to roofs. Spring thunderstorms rip shingles off in minutes. Summer hail events damage entire neighborhoods. Winter ice storms create problems that show up months later. Every year, these storms cause millions in roof damage across the province.

Storm damage repair is different from regular roofing work. Time matters more. Your insurance company has deadlines. Water damage spreads fast if you don't protect exposed areas. And if you miss something during your claim, you might pay for it yourself later.

You need someone who knows how to handle storm damage specifically. Not just the repairs, but the insurance process, the documentation, the timing. Our network connects you with contractors across Ontario who do this work every day. They know what adjusters look for. They know how to document damage properly. And they know how to get your roof fixed right.

Wind damage? They've replaced thousands of blown-off shingles. Hail damage? They know the difference between cosmetic dents and functional damage that insurance will cover. Ice dam damage? They understand how water backs up under shingles and what it takes to fix it properly. Tree damage? They know when you need structural repairs versus simple shingle replacement.

Types of storm damage to Ontario roofs

Different storms damage roofs in different ways. And knowing what you're looking at matters when you file an insurance claim.

Wind damage

Wind is the most common culprit. Especially near the Great Lakes where gusts pick up speed across open water.

Here's what wind does to your roof. It lifts shingles from the edges, the eaves and rakes where uplift pressure is strongest. Sometimes it rips them off completely. Other times it just tears them partway, leaving damaged shingles that will leak. Ridge caps go first because they catch the most wind. And on older roofs, the nails can pull right through the shingle material.

Wind speed makes all the difference. At 60 to 80 km/h, loose or aging shingles start coming off. By 80 to 100 km/h, you'll see moderate damage even if your roof is relatively new. Hit 100 to 120 km/h and you're looking at significant damage across the board. Above 120 km/h? That's emergency repair territory.

The good news is wind damage is typically covered by insurance. Just make sure to document the wind speeds from weather reports when you file your claim.

Hail damage

A severe hail event can wreck an entire roof in minutes. And the tricky part is that hail damage might not show up right away.

Look for circular impact marks where granules got knocked off. You'll see dents or bruises in the shingles, sometimes cracks where the hail hit hard enough to split the material. Severe impacts can expose the fiberglass mat underneath. Metal flashings will have obvious dents if hail was big enough to damage shingles.

Size matters with hail. Pea-sized hail at 6mm won't do much unless your roof is ancient. Quarter-sized at 24mm starts causing real damage. Golf ball-sized hail at 43mm? That's replacement territory. And anything baseball-sized or bigger at 73mm means severe damage across your entire roof.

Get a professional inspection within 30 to 90 days after any significant hail event. Some damage isn't visible from the ground, and hail claims have time limits. Most policies cover it, but you need to file promptly.

Tree and debris damage

A falling tree doesn't just damage shingles. It can crush your roof deck, break rafters, and leave you with structural problems that need engineering assessments.

The damage pattern depends on what hit. A full tree creates heavy loading damage. Flying branches puncture or tear the surface. Even accumulated debris from a storm can load your roof beyond safe limits.

Insurance usually covers this, but document everything with photos before you move any debris. Once it's gone, proving the extent of damage gets harder.

Ice dam damage

Ice dams are an Ontario winter specialty. Snow melts on your warm roof, runs down, then freezes at the cold eaves. Ice builds up. Water backs up behind it. And suddenly you've got water seeping under your shingles where it should never go.

The water penetrates your underlayment, soaks into your deck, and shows up inside your house as ceiling stains and wall damage. Meanwhile, the ice itself can lift and damage shingles along your roof edges.

Insurance coverage for ice dams gets complicated. If the damage resulted from a storm event, you might be covered. But if it happened because your attic insulation is inadequate? They'll often deny the claim. The key is proving it was storm-related, not a maintenance issue.

Heavy snow and ice loading

Northern Ontario sees snow loads that southern roofs never deal with. And when snow accumulation exceeds what your roof was designed for, things start to fail.

Watch for roof deck sagging, interior ceiling cracks, or visible deflection in your roofline. These are signs that the weight is too much. Truss or rafter damage can happen before you realize there's a problem.

The weight of snow and ice is typically covered by insurance. But you'll need a professional structural assessment to document the damage properly.

Lightning damage

Less common, but devastating when it happens. A direct lightning strike can damage your roof surface, send electrical surges through your wiring, or start a fire. Insurance typically covers all of it, including any fire damage that results.

Professional storm damage assessment

Getting the assessment right is everything. Miss damage during your inspection and your insurance won't cover it later. Document things wrong and your claim gets denied.

Call for an assessment if you see missing shingles, obvious impact marks, or downed branches on your roof. But also call if there was a severe storm in your area even when you can't see damage from the ground. Hail and wind damage often hide from ground level. And if your neighbors have damage, chances are good you do too.

New leaks or water stains after a storm? That's your roof telling you something broke. Get it inspected within 30 to 90 days of any significant storm. That's the ideal claim window.

How a proper assessment works

A contractor climbs on your roof with a camera and checkbook in hand. Every slope gets examined. Every valley. Every edge. They're looking for storm damage, but they're also separating new damage from old wear. Because that distinction matters for your insurance claim.

They'll document everything with high-resolution photos. Lots of them. Thirty to a hundred or more showing wide shots, close-ups, dents, granule loss, and any weathermarks. They measure the affected areas. They compare damaged sections to undamaged ones. They photograph your flashings, vents, penetrations, gutters, and downspouts.

Then they head into your attic. Water stains on your deck? Active leaks? Moisture in your insulation? All of it gets documented for your claim.

You get a written report at the end. Summary of findings. Detailed damage descriptions. Repair recommendations with cost estimates. Everything your insurance company needs to process the claim, prioritized by what needs fixing first.

Storm damage versus normal wear

This is where claims get approved or denied.

Storm damage is fresh. It wasn't there in prior inspections. The damage pattern matches the wind direction. Multiple shingles damaged in the same area. Damage appears on multiple slopes and directions. Your neighbors have it too. And there's documented severe weather on the date it happened.

Normal wear is different. It's gradual deterioration over time. Consistent aging across your entire roof. Damage only on sun-exposed slopes. Pre-existing problems visible in old photos. Age-related brittleness or curling that's been developing for years.

Insurance covers storms. It doesn't cover aging. A good assessment makes that distinction clear.

Insurance claims support

The insurance process makes or breaks your storm damage recovery. Get it wrong and you're paying out of pocket for covered damage.

How the claim timeline works

The storm hits. You document the date and severity. Within a few days, you do an initial walk-around to spot obvious damage. Then within 30 to 90 days, you get a professional inspection with complete documentation. File your claim promptly after that.

The insurance company sends an adjuster within one to two weeks. They assess the damage, take their own photos, and write up their findings. Claim approval typically takes one to four weeks, though it can be longer if there's a major storm event affecting hundreds of homes. Once approved, repairs get scheduled and completed.

What contractors do for your claim

Before the adjuster arrives, your contractor documents everything. They organize photo evidence by location, write a detailed assessment, and prepare repair cost estimates. If you need emergency repairs to prevent further damage, they handle those too and document them for your claim.

When the adjuster shows up, your contractor can meet them on-site if you want. They point out all the damage areas. They explain what repairs are needed and why. They answer questions professionally. And they make sure nothing gets missed, because adjusters sometimes overlook damage that contractors spot immediately.

After your claim gets approved, the contractor reviews the insurance scope of work. If items are missing, they help you request supplements. Most claims need at least one supplement when additional damage shows up during repairs. This is normal and expected.

What insurance typically covers

Wind damage from storms? Covered. Hail damage? Usually covered in most policies. Falling trees or branches, lightning strikes, ice and snow weight damage, flying debris impact? All typically covered. They'll even cover emergency protective measures like tarping and any interior water damage that results from the storm.

What they won't cover is normal wear and aging, lack of maintenance, pre-existing damage, or improper installation. They won't pay for upgrades beyond replacement value. And code requirement upgrades usually aren't covered unless your policy specifically includes them.

Getting the most from your claim

Document everything thoroughly. More photos equal a stronger claim. File within your policy time limits, usually one year but sometimes less. Keep receipts for all emergency repairs. Get a professional assessment instead of trying to DIY it, because insurance companies lowball claims without proper documentation.

Review the adjuster's report carefully. Make sure all damage is included. Request supplements if additional damage shows up during repairs, which happens more often than you'd think. And understand depreciation on your policy so you know when to recover the withheld amount after work is completed.

Common mistakes that kill claims

Don't delay filing past your deadline. Don't accept the first adjuster estimate without reviewing it. Don't let temporary repairs become permanent because you'll lose your claim leverage. Don't forget to document emergency expenses.

Don't miss hidden damage that's not visible from the ground, which is why professional roof inspections matter. And never settle before all damage is discovered. Once you sign off, reopening the claim gets nearly impossible.

Emergency storm damage response

Act fast or watch a small problem turn into a disaster. Water doesn't wait. It finds every opening and soaks everything below.

Emergency tarping

Within hours of your call, a crew shows up with heavy-duty tarps. They secure them over damaged areas to stop water infiltration until permanent repairs can happen. Your interior stays protected. And insurance usually covers this as "emergency protective measures."

Tarping costs $300 to $800 in Ontario depending on the size and complexity of the damage. Small leak? Lower end. Half your roof exposed? Upper end.

What else emergency crews handle

They remove fallen branches and trees from your roof before the weight causes more damage. They clear your gutters and valleys so water drains properly. Loose materials get secured. Because even small debris can shift and punch new holes in your roof during the next storm.

Critical missing shingles get replaced as temporary fixes. Obvious leak points get sealed. Lifted flashings get secured. Damaged areas get stabilized. It's not the final repair, but it stops things from getting worse.

Inside your house, they'll help move furniture away from leak areas if water is coming in. Buckets and tarps go under active leaks. All interior damage gets documented for your insurance claim. And if you need water extraction services, they'll advise you on next steps.

When to call for emergency service

Call immediately if you have active leaks during or after a storm, large exposed areas of roof, structural damage, or debris sitting on your roof. These situations get worse by the hour.

Same-day service makes sense when you have missing shingles creating water risk, torn underlayment, or damaged flashings. These won't cause immediate disaster, but the next rain will.

Within 24 to 48 hours works for moderate damage, hail assessment, or when you just need proper insurance documentation. Not urgent, but don't wait too long.

What emergency service costs

Emergency call-out fees run $150 to $300. After-hours or weekend service adds another $100 to $200 surcharge. Small area tarping costs $300 to $500. Large area tarping runs $500 to $1,200. Debris removal is $200 to $800. Temporary repairs cost $300 to $1,000.

Keep all your receipts. Most Ontario insurance policies cover emergency protective measures. You'll need that documentation for your claim.

Storm damage repair and restoration

Permanent repairs bring your roof back to full protection. How extensive they need to be depends on how much damage you have.

Minor storm damage repairs

Damage under 20% of your roof gets spot repairs. The crew replaces damaged or missing shingles, repairs or replaces flashings, fixes damaged vents or boots, and addresses any underlayment damage. They match your existing materials as closely as possible, though perfect matches get harder on older roofs with discontinued colors.

Timeline runs one to two days typically. Cost is $400 to $1,200 for most minor repairs based on 2025 Ontario rates.

Moderate storm damage repairs

When damage hits 20% to 40% of your roof, you're looking at more extensive work. Often this means replacing one or more complete roof slopes rather than trying to patch dozens of individual spots. The flashing system might need major repairs or complete replacement. If the deck underneath got damaged, that needs fixing too.

These repairs sometimes trigger insurance supplement claims when contractors discover additional damage during the work. That's normal.

Timeline is two to four days. Cost ranges from $1,200 to $3,500 for typical moderate repairs in Ontario.

Complete roof replacement

Damage over 40% usually means full replacement. And if your roof was already near the end of its expected life, insurance often covers replacement even if the damage percentage is lower.

Complete tear-off and replacement gives you new underlayment throughout, all new flashings, a chance to upgrade your ventilation, and a fresh manufacturer warranty. You're essentially starting over with a brand new roof.

Timeline depends on your roof size but typically runs two to five days. Cost is $6,500 to $18,000 for typical Ontario homes in 2025.

Structural repairs

When a tree crushes your deck or heavy snow damages your trusses, you need structural work. This starts with an engineering assessment to determine what failed and why. Then you're looking at deck replacement using plywood or OSB, and rafter or truss repairs or replacement.

Permits and inspections are required for structural work. The good news is insurance typically covers all of it if the damage was storm-related.

Storm damage repair costs

How insurance deductibles work

Your deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in. Some policies use a fixed dollar amount like $500, $1,000, or $2,500. Others use a percentage of your home's value, typically 1% or 2%.

Wind and hail deductibles are often higher than your standard deductible. Two to five percent of home value is common for these specific perils. Check your policy to see what applies.

Here's how it works in practice. Say you have $12,000 in storm damage and a $2,000 deductible. Insurance pays $10,000. You pay $2,000. The contractor gets paid the full $12,000 to complete the work.

Ontario deductibles in 2025 typically range from $500 to $2,500 for storm damage claims based on current insurance market standards.

Preventing storm damage

You can't stop Ontario storms. But you can make your roof more resistant to them.

Pre-storm preparation

Annual professional inspections catch weak points before storms expose them. Aging shingles that are starting to curl or lose granules? Replace them proactively instead of waiting for the next windstorm to rip them off. Check for lifted shingles and repair them now while it's easy.

Clean your gutters regularly. Proper drainage prevents ice dam formation during Ontario winters. Trim trees so branches don't hang over your roof. You want at least six to ten feet of clearance. And check all your flashings and sealants to make sure everything is secure.

Reinforcement options

When you replace your roof, upgrade to high wind-rated shingles. You can get 110 to 130 mph wind ratings that handle Ontario storms better than basic shingles. Impact-resistant shingles with Class 4 ratings protect against hail damage and sometimes even reduce your insurance premiums.

Enhanced fastening with additional nails helps in high-wind zones. Hand-sealing critical areas adds extra adhesion where your roof needs it most. And quality synthetic underlayment provides backup protection if shingles do get damaged.

After every severe storm

Walk around your home looking for obvious damage. Missing shingles, dents in metal, debris on the roof. Check your attic for new leaks or spots where you can see daylight through the deck. Inspect your gutters for granule accumulation, which indicates shingle damage.

Schedule a professional inspection if you have any concerns. And document everything you see with photos and dates. You might need that documentation later for an insurance claim.

Frequently asked questions