24/7 emergency restoration
Storm and wind damage restoration
A storm opens the building and the rain does the rest. The priority is closing the opening, then dealing with the water that got in.
- IICRC Certified Firm
- $5 million insured
- One team, emergency to rebuild
Before we arrive
Do this now
- 1Stay away from downed power lines and report them to your utility.
- 2Keep out of rooms where the ceiling is sagging.
- 3If a tree is on the house, stay out of that part of the building.
- 4Place buckets and move belongings away from active leaks.
- 5Photograph the damage from the ground. Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof.
If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas or see sparking, leave the building and call 911 first.
Callback about storm and wind
Leave a name and number and a person calls you back. For an active emergency, phone us instead.
How storms damage buildings
Storm damage happens in two stages. The first is the breach: wind lifts shingles or flashing, a branch punctures the roof, hail breaks a window, or a tree comes down across the house. The second is everything the weather does through that opening, and it usually costs more than the breach itself.
Rain entering through a damaged roof soaks the attic insulation first. From there it follows the framing, comes through ceilings at light fittings and seams, and runs down inside walls. A hole the size of a dinner plate can wet several rooms. If the insulation and drywall stay wet, mold follows within days in warm weather.
Ontario sees severe thunderstorms with damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes, hail, heavy wet snow, freezing rain and the occasional remnant of a tropical system. After a widespread event, roofers and materials are in short supply, so temporary protection and proper drying matter even more because permanent repairs may be weeks away.
What to expect on the first visit
The first visit is about stopping more water getting in. The damage is photographed from the ground and from inside, openings in the roof are tarped, and broken windows and doors are boarded. If a tree is resting on the structure, the area beneath it is kept clear and the tree is removed in a controlled way so that it does not cause further damage as it comes off.
Inside, ceilings, attic insulation and walls are checked with a moisture meter, because rain that came through a roof opening often wets far more than the stained patch suggests. Wet insulation is removed, saturated ceiling sections are taken down and drying equipment is set. You get a list of what was protected temporarily and what permanent repairs will be needed.
What we do, in order
- 01
Emergency protection
Roof tarps, board-up of broken windows and doors, and temporary shoring where needed.
- 02
Water removal
Extraction and drying of ceilings, walls, insulation and floors that took in rain.
- 03
Debris removal
Damaged materials are cleared and disposed of.
- 04
Repair
Roof decking, framing, siding, windows and interior finishes are restored.
Types of storm damage
- Wind
- Lifted and missing shingles, torn flashing, damaged soffit and fascia, siding stripped from walls.
- Fallen trees and limbs
- Punctured roofs, broken rafters and trusses, crushed eavestroughs, damaged decks and fences.
- Hail
- Bruised shingles that fail later, dented metal, cracked siding and broken glass.
- Ice and snow
- Ice dams forcing water under shingles, and snow load stressing flat roofs, carports and older structures.
- Wind-driven rain
- Water forced through walls, around windows and through vents that are watertight in ordinary rain.
- Power loss
- Sump pumps stop during the storm, and in winter a long outage can freeze pipes.
What typically needs attention
| Roof covering and decking | Tarped immediately, then repaired or replaced depending on the extent and the age of the roof. |
|---|---|
| Attic insulation | Wet insulation is removed. It loses its insulating value and keeps the ceiling wet. |
| Ceilings and walls | Dried in place if caught early. Sagging or saturated sections are replaced. |
| Structural framing | Broken rafters or trusses are shored and then repaired to an engineer's direction where required. |
| Windows and doors | Boarded at once, then replaced. |
| Exterior cladding | Repaired or replaced. Matching older siding can be difficult. |
How long it takes
Temporary protection is done on the first visit. Permanent repairs depend on the trades involved and, after a regional storm, on material and crew availability.
Insurance
Wind and hail are commonly covered perils. Water that enters through storm-created openings is usually treated as part of that loss. Overland flooding from heavy rain or rising water is typically a separate optional coverage. Reasonable emergency measures to prevent further damage are generally expected of the homeowner, so keep the receipts.
This is general information, not advice on your policy. How restoration claims work.
Mistakes to avoid
Going on the roof. Wet, damaged and steep roofs injure many homeowners every year. Photograph from the ground.
Approaching downed lines. Treat every fallen wire as live and stay well back.
Signing with the first person at the door. Storms attract door-to-door contractors. Check identity, insurance and references, and do not pay large deposits in cash.
Ignoring a leak that stopped. The water is still in the insulation and the ceiling. Have it checked.
Questions worth asking any contractor
Whoever you hire, including us, should be able to answer these plainly.
- Is the structure safe, and does anything need temporary support?
- How long will the tarp last, and who checks it after the next strong wind?
- How much of the attic insulation and ceiling got wet?
- Do the permanent repairs need a permit or an engineer?
- After a regional storm, how long are roofers and materials likely to take?
Preparing for the next storm
- Have large trees near the house inspected, and remove dead or overhanging limbs.
- Check the roof, flashing and caulking each fall, and replace missing or lifted shingles.
- Keep eavestroughs clear so that water drains and ice dams are less likely.
- Secure or store patio furniture, trampolines and other loose items when high winds are forecast.
- Add a battery backup to the sump pump, since storms and power cuts arrive together.
- IICRC Certified FirmRegistered with the restoration industry's standards body
- IICRC-certified techniciansTrained to the published standards for water, fire and mold work
- Ontario asbestos abatement worker training for Type 3 operationsThe approved training for the highest-risk class of asbestos work
- Liability insurance$5 million coverage with Intact Insurance
- WSIB coverageClearance certificate on request
- 24/7 responseEvery day of the year
Storm Damage Restoration: common questions
Should I wait for the adjuster before tarping the roof?
No. Policies generally expect you to take reasonable steps to stop further damage. Photograph everything first, then have the opening covered, and keep the invoice.
The leak stopped when the rain stopped. Is it fine?
The insulation and drywall above the stain are probably still wet. Left alone they can grow mold. It is worth a moisture check.
A tree fell on my house. Who removes it?
Removing the tree from the structure so the building can be protected is normally part of a covered storm claim. Removal of trees that did not damage an insured structure is often limited or excluded. Check with your insurer.
My neighbour's tree fell on my house. Whose insurance pays?
In most cases you claim on your own home policy for damage to your property. Your insurer decides whether to pursue the neighbour, which usually depends on whether the tree was known to be a hazard.
How quickly should storm damage be dealt with?
Temporary protection should happen the same day if possible. Drying of anything that got wet should start within a day or two to avoid mold. Permanent repairs can then be scheduled properly.
Will hail damage show up right away?
Not always. Hail can bruise shingles and knock off the protective granules without causing an immediate leak. If neighbours are having roofs inspected after a hailstorm, it is worth having yours looked at.
The power was out and my basement flooded. Is that storm damage?
Insurers usually treat it as a sump or sewer backup loss, not wind damage, so it depends on whether you have that endorsement. Report it and ask how your policy classifies it.
How do I know a storm contractor is legitimate?
Ask for a business address, proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage, and references you can call. Be wary of anyone who knocks unasked, pushes you to sign immediately, wants a large cash deposit or offers to cover your deductible.
Does it matter how old my roof is when I claim?
It can. Some policies pay less for older roofs by applying depreciation, and insurers distinguish storm damage from ordinary wear. Check how your policy treats roof claims, and have the damage photographed and documented promptly after the storm.
What should I do before a severe storm arrives?
Bring in or tie down loose items outside, clear eavestroughs and drains, charge phones, test the sump pump, move valuables off the basement floor and park away from large trees. Know where your water and power shut-offs are.
Storm Damage Restoration by city
- Toronto
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Hamilton
- Vaughan
- Markham
- Oakville
- Burlington
- Milton
- Kitchener
- Cambridge
- Guelph
- North York
- Scarborough
- Etobicoke
- East York
- Caledon
- Bolton
- Richmond Hill
- Thornhill
- Unionville
- Woodbridge
- Maple
- Kleinburg
- Concord
- Aurora
- Newmarket
- Stouffville
- King City
- East Gwillimbury
- Georgina
- Keswick
- Sutton
- Halton Hills
- Georgetown
- Acton
- Pickering
- Ajax
- Whitby
- Oshawa
- Clarington
- Bowmanville
- Uxbridge
- Scugog
- Port Perry
- Brock
- Beaverton
- Cannington
- Stoney Creek
- Ancaster
- Dundas
- Flamborough
- Grimsby
- Lincoln
- Beamsville
- West Lincoln
- St. Catharines
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Niagara Falls
- Thorold
- Welland
- Pelham
- Port Colborne
- Wainfleet
- Fort Erie
- Waterloo
- Woolwich
- Wilmot
- Wellesley
- North Dumfries
- Centre Wellington
- Guelph/Eramosa
- Puslinch
- Erin
- Mapleton
- Minto
- Wellington North
- Brantford
- Paris
- Barrie
- Innisfil
- Bradford West Gwillimbury
- New Tecumseth
- Alliston
- Essa
- Springwater
- Clearview
- Stayner
- Collingwood
- Wasaga Beach
- Orillia
- Severn
- Midland
- Penetanguishene
- Tiny
- Tay
- Orangeville
- Shelburne
- Mono
- Woodstock
- Ingersoll
- Tillsonburg
- London
- Adelaide Metcalfe
- Peterborough
- Cobourg
Damage does not wait for business hours. Neither do we.
Call any time. If you would prefer we call you, request a callback.