Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Roof Leaks in a Storm
- Step 1: Call Cossette at 819-777-7177 — the emergency line is answered 24/7.
- Step 2: Move electronics, furniture, and valuables away from the affected area.
- Step 3: Place buckets or towels under active drips to protect floors and prevent water from spreading to lower levels.
- Step 4: If water is pooling at a ceiling, gently puncture the lowest point with a screwdriver to create a controlled drain rather than allowing the ceiling to collapse.
- Step 5: Photograph all damage — inside and outside — immediately, before anything is moved or cleaned up.
- Step 6: Do not attempt to go on the roof during a storm.
What Cossette Does on an Emergency Call
When you call Cossette’s emergency line, a certified roofer is dispatched to your Gatineau or Ottawa property as conditions allow. On arrival, the roofer assesses the damage, applies heavy-duty emergency waterproofing (typically professional-grade tarping with mechanical fastening), provides a damage report for insurance purposes, and schedules follow-up permanent repair.
Documenting for Your Insurance Claim
Thorough documentation makes the difference between a smooth and a contested insurance claim. Photograph the exterior damage (missing shingles, visible gaps, impact damage) and interior damage (stains, wet insulation, damaged ceilings) with date-stamped photos. Cossette’s written damage report provides independent professional documentation that supports your claim.
Common Storm Roofing Emergencies in Gatineau and Ottawa
Wind damage: Shingles lifted or torn in gusts — most common in spring and fall storms. Tree impact: Branch or full tree through the roofline — requires emergency assessment for structural integrity before entry. Hail damage: Impact cracking of shingles that may not cause immediate infiltration but compromises waterproofing within weeks. Ice dam infiltration: Most common January through March — meltwater forced under shingles by ice backup at the eaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can Cossette respond to a roofing emergency in Ottawa?
Response time depends on weather conditions and concurrent emergency volume. During major regional storms affecting all of Gatineau and Ottawa simultaneously, all available Cossette crews are deployed. The emergency line at 819-777-7177 is answered immediately 24/7 and dispatch is prioritized based on severity.
Will emergency tarping hold until the storm passes?
A properly installed professional tarp with mechanical fastening provides reliable temporary protection — typically lasting several days to several weeks depending on conditions. Cossette’s emergency team uses heavy-duty materials rated for Quebec winter conditions.
Does my Quebec home insurance cover storm damage to my roof?
Most Quebec home insurance policies cover sudden storm damage including wind, hail, fallen trees, and ice damage. Notify your insurer immediately after calling Cossette. Provide photos and Cossette’s written damage report to support the claim.