Temporary protection, then the real fix
Emergency flat roof repair
When water is coming through a ceiling, the first job is to protect the building. The second is to find out why. The third is a permanent repair. Skipping to the third usually fails.
- Temporary protection first
- Source found before final repair
- Urgent requests flagged
What to do while you wait
Protect people and belongings
Move furniture and electronics away from the wet area. Place a bucket under the drip and a tarp or plastic sheet over what cannot move.
Relieve trapped water
If the ceiling is bulging with water, a small hole at the lowest point lets it drain into a bucket and may save the whole ceiling from collapsing. Keep clear of light fixtures.
Watch for electrical risk
Water near fixtures, outlets or wiring is a hazard. If in doubt, switch off the circuit and call an electrician.
Photograph everything
Photos of the stain, any water on the roof and the date help with your insurance claim and with our diagnosis.
Stay off the roof
Wet membranes are slippery, and snow hides edges and openings. Climbing up in a storm is how people get hurt.
How an urgent job runs
Send the request
Mark it urgent in the quote form. Include photos and the address.
Temporary protection
Typically a cold-applied patch, sealant or membrane tape, or a tarp anchored to the roof. It stops the worst of the water, not forever.
Find the source
Once the roof is dry enough to read, we trace the entry point. See finding a flat roof leak.
Permanent repair
A proper repair is scheduled when conditions allow. In winter that can mean waiting for milder weather. See flat roofs in winter.
Urgent call pricing
| Item | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Temporary leak protection (urgent call) | from $350 per visit |
| Small leak repair (patch, seam or puncture) | from $350 per repair |
Starting prices in CAD before 13% HST, based on typical Ontario contractor rates (mostly Toronto and the GTA). The final price depends on roof size, access, the layers to remove, the membrane, drains and flashings, and is confirmed in your written quote.
Temporary protection is priced separately from the permanent repair. You will know which is which before you approve anything.
What counts as an emergency
Active dripping during rain, a ceiling that is sagging, water near electrical, or storm or wind damage that has lifted a membrane are urgent. A faint yellow stain that has not grown is not, though it still deserves attention. See ceiling water stains.
Heavy snow and ice dams can cause sudden leaks during a thaw. Details are on the ice and snow damage page.
Questions about urgent roof leaks
Is a temporary fix enough?
No. A temporary fix buys time. Without the permanent repair, the same entry point will leak again, and wet insulation will keep spreading damage.
Should I call my insurer?
If there is interior damage, it is worth asking. Photos taken before cleanup are the most useful thing you can have. We can supply photos of what we find on the roof.
Can you work in the rain?
A tarp or a quick seal may be possible, but membranes and adhesives do not bond to wet surfaces. A lasting repair needs a dry roof.
Why not just keep the bucket out until spring?
Water that gets into insulation freezes, expands and thaws all winter. The damage grows quietly and the repair gets larger.
Leak, damage or an old flat roof?
Send a few details and photos. We reply by email with next steps and a written quote.