/ The Urgency of Action

Storm Damage Isn't Something to Wait On—Every Hour Counts

When a storm damages your roof, you have a narrow window to prevent catastrophic interior damage.

A tree branch punches a hole in your roof at 3 PM. By 9 PM, that hole is soaking your attic. By midnight, water is dripping into your ceiling. By morning, drywall is saturated and mold is starting to grow. Within 24-48 hours of a storm, water damage can spread from a single hole to 1,000+ square feet of damage.

What Happens After Storm Damage

Water enters attic and insulation immediately
Wet insulation loses its thermal properties
Water flows to inner walls and starts rotting framing
Interior drywall and plaster absorb moisture
Mold begins growing within 24-48 hours
Electrical systems and structural integrity are compromised
Interior damage spreads exponentially over days

The Costs Explode

Small roofing damage: $500–$2,000
Attic water damage and mold: $5,000–$15,000
Interior water damage and mold: $10,000–$50,000+
Structural repairs if framing is rotted: $20,000–$100,000+

A single hour of delay can add $10,000+ to your repair costs.

Call Emergency Line: (343) 321-0218

/ Damage Assessment

Storm Damage Types We See in Ottawa

Damage Type	What It Looks Like	Common Causes in Ottawa	Urgency
Hail Damage	Dented shingles, cracked/missing roof sections	Spring/summer thunderstorms	CRITICAL
Wind Damage	Missing shingles, lifted edges, blown-off sections	High-wind events, hurricanes, derechos	CRITICAL
Tree Impact	Branch through roof, holes, crushed shingles	Falling trees or branches during storms	CRITICAL
Falling Debris	Holes, punctures, missing sections	Debris from surrounding properties or high winds	CRITICAL
Ice Damage	Shingles cracked/split from ice accumulation	Winter storms with ice loading	HIGH
Snow Damage	Roof sagging, fasteners stressed, structural stress	Heavy wet snow load	CRITICAL
Gutter Damage	Bent, separated, or torn gutters	Wind, debris impact, ice weight	HIGH
Flashing Damage	Lifted, separated, or torn flashing	Wind lifting, fastener failure	CRITICAL

/ Safety First

What to Check After a Storm Hits Your Home

Safety First

Stay off the roof unless trained (dangerous, especially after damage)
Watch for downed power lines
Check that all residents are safe
Document safety hazards but don't approach them

External Inspection (From Ground & Inside)

Look for missing or obviously damaged shingles
Check for tree debris on roof or in gutters
Look for holes or light visible through roof
Check gutters for damage or debris
Look for dented or missing siding, fascia, or trim
Check visible flashing around chimneys and vents

Interior Inspection

Look for visible water entry (drips, water running)
Check ceilings for water stains or discoloration
Inspect upper walls and corners
Look inside attic if accessible (watch for water or damage)
Check for musty or unusual smells

Documentation (For Insurance)

Take photos and video of all visible damage (interior and exterior)
Note the date and time of storm
Keep records of any emergency tarping or temporary repairs

What to Do Next

If water is actively entering: Call us immediately at (343) 321-0218
If roof is exposed but not actively leaking yet: Call for emergency tarping
If damage is visible but interior is dry: Call for damage assessment and quote
Contact your insurance: Report the damage and get a claim number

/ Our Response System

How We Handle Storm Damage Emergencies

1

Your Emergency Call

You call (343) 321-0218. We answer 24/7. You tell us what type of storm hit, what damage you can see, whether water is currently entering, your address, and your contact information.

2

Immediate Dispatch

If water is actively entering or your roof is exposed, we dispatch an emergency crew within 1-2 hours (depending on demand after widespread storms). We prioritize active water entry and exposed conditions.

3

Emergency Tarping

Our crew arrives with tarping materials. We assess the damage, install heavy tarps over the damaged area, and ensure water can't enter the damaged section. Cost: $300–$800 (temporary measure).

4

Interior Protection

If water is inside, we identify where it's coming in, set up dehumidifiers and fans, open windows for air circulation, document existing damage, and recommend professional water damage restoration if needed.

5

Damage Documentation

We photograph all damage for your insurance claim. This documentation is critical for insurance approval and ensuring fair compensation.

6

Permanent Repair Planning

Over the next 24-48 hours, we schedule a professional inspection to fully assess damage, determine materials needed, provide a detailed quote, explain insurance coverage, and schedule permanent repairs.

7

Permanent Repairs

Once you approve the quote and insurance approves the claim (if applicable), we complete permanent repairs as quickly as possible, usually within 3-7 days for storm damage.

8

Final Inspection

We inspect all repairs, remove tarps, and ensure your roof is fully restored to pre-storm condition.

Emergency Response Timeline

Emergency response: Same day if possible, within 24 hours maximum
Temporary tarping: 2-4 hours
Permanent repairs: 1-7 days depending on damage extent

/ Insurance Help

Understanding Your Insurance Coverage for Storm Damage

How Insurance Usually Works

Most homeowner insurance policies cover storm damage to your roof. This typically includes:

Damage from hail
Damage from wind
Damage from falling trees or debris
Some policies cover snow/ice damage

What's Typically NOT Covered

Damage from poor maintenance
Gradual wear and tear
Damage from flooding
Damage you cause by attempting repairs

Your Deductible

You'll typically have a deductible ($500–$2,500 depending on your policy). You pay this amount; insurance covers the rest of the repair cost. Important: Some policies have higher deductibles for wind/hail damage. Check your policy.

The Claim Process

Report the damage to your insurance company
Get a claim number from them
Provide photos and contact information
Insurance sends an adjuster to inspect
They provide an estimate of repair costs
They approve payment (usually after seeing professional quote)
We repair and submit final invoice to insurance
Insurance pays the approved amount (minus deductible)

How We Help With Insurance

Provide detailed damage documentation
Provide itemized repair quotes
Work with insurance adjusters
Explain coverage and deductibles
Handle all communication with insurance
Don't inflate quotes or encourage fraudulent claims

Important: We're honest about what damage we see. We don't lie to help insurance pay more. We do ensure insurance pays fairly for legitimate damage.

/ FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Damage

How quickly can you respond to storm damage?

We aim for emergency response within 1-2 hours of your call during active storm season. After widespread storms affecting many properties, response times may extend to 4-8 hours, but we prioritize homes with active water entry. Call (343) 321-0218 to report your emergency.

Will my insurance cover the damage?

Usually, yes—most homeowner policies cover wind, hail, and falling tree damage. Coverage depends on your specific policy. Check your policy or call your agent. After we assess the damage, we provide documentation to help your insurance evaluate coverage.

Can I file an insurance claim myself?

Yes, you can. But we recommend having a professional (us) assess the damage first. We'll document everything, provide an itemized quote, and guide you through the insurance process. This ensures insurance pays fairly for the actual damage.

What if my roof was already damaged before the storm?

Insurance typically won't cover pre-existing damage made worse by a storm, only the new storm damage. We can assess what's pre-existing and what's new, and we help explain this to your insurance adjuster.

How long until my roof is fully repaired?

Emergency tarping happens same day or within 24 hours. Permanent repairs typically take 1-7 days depending on damage extent. After widespread storms, repair scheduling may take longer due to demand.

Do you work with insurance adjusters?

Absolutely. We work with insurance adjusters regularly. We provide documentation, we explain the damage, we answer questions, and we help ensure your insurance pays fairly for legitimate damage.

/ Our Expertise

Why Ottawa Homeowners Call Burnham Brothers After Storms

📞

24/7 Emergency Response

We answer the phone any time, day or night. We respond to emergencies quickly.

⏰

35 Years of Storm Experience

We've handled hundreds of storm damage situations in Ottawa. We know how to respond effectively.

⛈️

Quick Emergency Tarping

We get temporary protection in place fast to stop water entry.

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Insurance Expertise

We work with insurance regularly. We help ensure fair claim approval.

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Professional Documentation

Our damage assessment and photos help your insurance evaluate and approve your claim.

⚒️

Fast Permanent Repairs

After insurance approval, we complete repairs quickly to get your home protected.

When storms hit Ottawa homes, they call us.

Ottawa Storm Damage? Emergency Repairs Available 24/7