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Roofers who take emergency calls can install tarps or temporary membranes, seal openings, clear debris from the roof and document the damage for your insurer. In winter, they may also clear snow and open channels through ice dams using methods that don't tear the shingles. All of this is work at height, often on a wet or icy surface, and it belongs to a crew with proper fall protection.
This page explains what to do safely inside your home while you wait, the temporary protection a roofer provides, how home insurance claims generally work after roof damage, and how ice-dam emergencies are handled.
When a roof leak is an emergency
A slow drip that only shows up in heavy rain can usually wait a day or two for a regular repair. Anything that threatens electrical fixtures, the structure or people's safety can't.
- Water is coming through a ceiling, a light fixture or a wall, not just leaving a small stain.
- A tree or large branch has hit the roof, or part of the roof is open to the sky.
- Wind has torn off shingles, flashing or membrane, and more rain or snow is on the way.
- A ceiling is bulging or sagging with water and could come down.
- An ice dam is sending meltwater into the house during a thaw.
- Heavy snow has piled up on a flat or low-slope roof, and inside doors start to stick or new cracks appear.
What to do safely during a roof leak
- Don't go up on the roof, even to lay a tarp; leave that to a crew with fall protection.
- If water is near light fixtures, outlets or the electrical panel, keep clear, and shut off the power only if you can reach the panel safely from a dry spot; otherwise call an electrician or your utility.
- Keep everyone out of rooms where the ceiling is bulging or sagging.
- Move furniture, electronics and valuables away from the leak, and catch dripping water with buckets and towels.
- Take photos and video of the damage inside, and of the outside from the ground, and keep damaged items until your insurer says you can discard them.
- Call a roofer who handles emergency calls, then your insurer or broker.
- Stay away from power lines brought down by fallen trees or tangled in eavestroughs, and report them to your utility.
Temporary roof protection by a professional roofer
An emergency crew's first job is to stop the water. Depending on the damage, that can mean securing a heavy tarp over the opening and fastening it so wind can't get underneath, applying a temporary membrane, boarding over a hole left by a branch or resealing torn flashing. On a flat roof, it may mean patching a torn membrane or clearing a blocked drain.
Temporary protection is meant to hold until a proper repair can be done, not to last for seasons. Ask the crew to photograph the damage before and after they work, to note what they found and what they installed, and to tell you when it should be checked again. Keep every invoice and receipt, since your insurer will want to see them.
Home insurance claims and who pays after emergency roof damage
Sudden damage from wind or hail is usually covered by home insurance, and so is water damage inside the house caused by a roof leak. The roof itself generally isn't covered when the problem comes from wear and tear or poor maintenance. Every policy is different, so confirm the details with your insurer or broker.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that your policy expects you to act to limit further damage, such as having tarps placed over a damaged roof, and to hire a qualified professional if temporary repairs aren't safe to do yourself. Report the claim as soon as possible, take photos, keep damaged items unless they're dangerous, and keep receipts for emergency work, cleanup and any extra living expenses. An adjuster will then assess the damage and explain how your policy applies.
Ice dams and winter roof emergencies
When meltwater backs up behind an ice dam and starts dripping inside, the immediate goal is to get water flowing off the roof again. Roofers use steam equipment and careful hand work to cut channels through the ice and clear snow from the lower part of the roof without tearing the shingles. Chipping at the ice with a hammer or an axe, or climbing a ladder onto an icy roof, is how shingles get destroyed and people get hurt.
The Government of Canada's emergency preparedness advice is to work in pairs or hire a professional to clear roofs and eavestroughs, and it notes that ice dams that keep coming back can point to poor attic insulation. Once the emergency is over, have the attic's insulation, air sealing and ventilation checked so the same dam doesn't form next winter.
Temporary fix versus permanent roof repair after an emergency
- A tarp or temporary patch protects the house for a short time, but it can blow loose or trap moisture if it stays on too long.
- Once the weather allows, a roofer should open the damaged area, check the deck and replace whatever was damaged.
- Have the attic and ceilings checked after the permanent repair, since wet insulation and drywall may need replacing to prevent mould.
- If the storm damage is extensive or the roof was already near the end of its life, the adjuster and roofer may discuss replacement rather than repair.
- Get a written quote for the permanent repair, separate from the emergency visit, so the insurer can see each stage.
Preparing your roof before storm season
- Have loose shingles and lifted flashing fixed before the autumn winds and the first snow arrive.
- Ask an arborist to assess large trees close to the house, especially limbs that hang over the roof.
- Clean gutters in late fall so meltwater has somewhere to go.
- Keep the name and phone number of a roofer who handles emergencies, along with your policy number, where you can find them during a power outage.
- Take dated photos of the roof and attic each year, which makes a future claim easier to document.
Emergency Roof Repair: frequently asked questions
Should I go on the roof to put a tarp on it myself?
No. Roofs are dangerous in rain, wind and ice, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada advises hiring a qualified professional when temporary repairs aren't safe to do yourself. Protect what you can from inside and wait for the crew.
Should I call a roofer or my insurer first?
If water is coming in, call a roofer first to stop the damage, then report the claim to your insurer or broker as soon as you can. Your policy expects you to limit further damage.
Will insurance pay for an emergency tarp?
Reasonable emergency measures to protect the house may be included in a covered claim, but it depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. Keep the invoice and photos, and ask your insurer.
Can a roofer come out during a snowstorm?
They'll come when it's safe for the crew to work. In the meantime, many can advise you by phone on protecting the inside of the house.
How can I tell if an ice dam is causing my leak?
Leaks near exterior walls during a thaw, a thick ridge of ice along the eaves and long icicles are typical signs. A roofer can confirm it and clear a channel safely.
Sources
Written by the LokalMatch editorial team. Reviewed by Zubair Afzal on September 10, 2026. How we write and check our guides