If your roof is actively leaking, has sustained visible storm damage, or has lost shingles or sections of material in a wind event, call a licensed roofer immediately. Cossette Roofing and Renovations provides 24/7 emergency roof services in Gatineau, Ottawa, Hull, Aylmer, and the Outaouais at 819-777-7177. In the meantime, contain the water infiltration inside the building to protect your contents and reduce structural damage while you wait for professional service.
What Qualifies as a Roofing Emergency?
A roofing emergency is any situation where active water infiltration is occurring or where the structural integrity of the roof has been compromised by sudden damage. Specific emergencies include: active interior leaks during or after rainfall; wind damage causing shingle blow-off, flashing separation, or visible holes in the roof surface; structural damage from a fallen tree or heavy ice load; and ice dam infiltration causing water to enter the building at the eaves or walls.
Water infiltration that appears to have stopped is still an emergency if the source of entry has not been identified and sealed. Water that has entered the roof assembly will migrate laterally through insulation and framing before appearing as a stain on the interior ceiling, often metres from the actual point of entry. Every hour of unchecked infiltration expands the damage zone.
Immediate Steps to Take Before the Roofer Arrives
If water is actively entering the building, contain it. Place buckets or containers under drips, and use plastic sheeting or tarps to protect furniture, electronics, and flooring. Do not use absorbent materials (towels, blankets) directly under a continuous drip as they will rapidly saturate and cause further surface damage.
If the leak source appears to be a displaced or missing shingle and you can safely access the roof from ground level, placing a heavy tarp over the affected area and securing it with non-penetrating weights will reduce further infiltration until emergency service arrives. Do not attempt to access a wet, icy, or steeply pitched roof yourself.
Document the damage with photos or video before any cleanup — this is important for insurance claims. Note the time, weather conditions, and the first appearance of the leak or damage.
Common Roofing Emergencies in the Gatineau-Ottawa Region
Ice storm damage is the most frequent roofing emergency in the Outaouais. Ice accumulation on a flat or low-slope roof can exceed the structural load capacity, causing deck deflection or, in extreme cases, collapse. On sloped roofs, the weight of ice combined with wind can strip flashing and shingles. The Gatineau-Ottawa region averages several significant ice events per winter.
Wind damage after severe thunderstorms — common in the Ottawa Valley in summer — causes shingle blow-off, particularly on roofs where the sealant strip on shingles has degraded from UV exposure. A single missing shingle course at the ridge or hip can allow wind-driven rain to enter the roof assembly rapidly.
Sudden onset leaks from clogged drains on flat roofs are common during heavy rain events in summer. A drain that was partially blocked by debris can fail completely under high-volume rainfall, causing immediate ponding and rapid infiltration at membrane seams.
What to Expect from a 24/7 Emergency Roof Call
When you call Cossette Roofing’s emergency line (819-777-7177), a roofing professional will assess the situation, dispatch a crew, and perform immediate temporary stabilization of the affected area — typically using emergency tarping, temporary membrane application over exposed areas, or immediate shingle replacement if conditions permit.
A full damage assessment and written repair estimate follows the emergency response. For insurance-claim situations, the written assessment includes photographic documentation, description of the event, materials affected, and recommended scope of repair.
Emergency service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Gatineau, Ottawa, Hull, Aylmer, Orléans, Embrun, Clarence-Rockland, and the full Outaouais service area. Reach out to us at our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my roof is leaking right now?
Call a 24/7 emergency roofer immediately. In Gatineau and Ottawa, call Cossette Roofing at 819-777-7177. While waiting, contain water infiltration with buckets and plastic sheeting, document damage with photos for insurance, and avoid the area directly under the leak if ceiling sagging suggests water accumulation above.
Does Cossette Roofing offer 24/7 emergency service?
Yes. Cossette Roofing and Renovations provides 24/7 emergency roof services across Gatineau, Ottawa, Hull, Aylmer, Orléans, Embrun, Clarence-Rockland, Cornwall, and the Outaouais. Call 819-777-7177 at any hour.
Will my insurance cover emergency roof repair in Quebec?
Yes, in most cases. Quebec home insurance policies cover sudden and accidental damage from storms, wind, ice, and similar events. Contact your insurer promptly after emergency repairs are made, and retain all documentation provided by your roofer for the claim.
How quickly can an emergency roofer arrive in Gatineau?
Cossette Roofing prioritizes emergency calls and typically dispatches within hours. Response time depends on weather conditions, call volume during major storm events, and location within the service area.