March 8, 2026 · By Jeff Therrien
What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Storm Damage to Your Roof
When a storm rips through Sarnia and you wake up to shingles in the yard — or worse, water dripping through the ceiling — the next 24 hours matter. Here's the playbook I give every customer.
1. Safety first — don't go on the roof
Wet roofs, damaged shingles, and loose debris are dangerous. Look from the ground. Use a phone camera with zoom. Don't climb a ladder in wind or rain. Tree on your roof? Stay out of the room below it.
2. Stop the water from inside
If water's coming through the ceiling, put a bucket under it. Poke a small hole in the ceiling sag with a screwdriver — yes, on purpose — to let water drain in a controlled spot instead of collapsing the whole ceiling.
3. Document everything
Take photos and video from the ground, from inside the house, and from any safe vantage point. Photograph debris in the yard. Photograph water damage to walls, ceilings, and contents. This is your insurance claim file.
4. Call your roofer for emergency tarping
Call me at (519) 328-2142. We tarp emergency damage 7 days a week. Tarping stops further water entry while we assess and quote permanent repairs — and your insurance company expects you to mitigate further damage.
5. Call your insurance company
Report the damage. Get a claim number. Ask if they'll send an adjuster or want you to get your own estimates. Save every receipt — tarps, hotel stays if needed, emergency repairs.
6. Get a written roofing estimate
We provide detailed, line-itemed estimates that insurance adjusters know how to read. We've worked claims with every major Ontario insurer.
Don't sign with the first storm-chaser who knocks on your door. Call a local roofer who's still going to be in Sarnia next year — and the year after.