Roof Leaking: Who Should You Call?
Urgency: UrgentUpdated 2026-08-31
Short answer
Contain the water inside, photograph the damage, and call a licensed roofing contractor for an inspection. Stay off the roof yourself. Most GTA leaks originate at flashing, vents and valleys rather than in the open shingle field, and travel along the deck before dripping through the ceiling.
Who to call: A licensed, insured roofing contractor — never a door-knocking storm chaser.
What to do right now
- 1Move belongings and place buckets under active drips.
- 2Relieve a bulging ceiling with a small hole at the lowest point so it drains in one spot.
- 3Photograph interior damage and the exterior from ground level.
- 4Do not climb onto a wet or icy roof — most roofing injuries happen on a ladder.
Most likely causes
- Flashing failure
- Around chimneys, skylights, vent stacks and roof-to-wall joints. The most common source by far.
- Ice damming
- Poor attic insulation and ventilation melt snow, which refreezes at the eaves and forces water under the shingles.
- Lifted or missing shingles
- Wind damage after a GTA windstorm, especially on exposed elevations.
- Blocked eavestroughs and valleys
- Debris backs water up under the shingle edge.
What it typically costs in the GTA
$400–$1,200 for a targeted flashing or shingle repair. $1,000–$2,500 to address ice damming with insulation and ventilation work. $9,000–$18,000 for a full asphalt reroof on a typical GTA detached home.
Ranges are typical market pricing for the Greater Toronto Area and vary with access, age of the home, and time of year. Always get the scope in writing before work starts.
Repair or replace?
If the roof is under about fifteen years old and the damage is localised, repair is almost always the right call. If shingles are curling and granules are collecting in the eavestroughs across the whole roof, patching just delays a replacement you will pay for anyway.
Be sceptical of any contractor who quotes a full replacement without setting foot on the roof or showing you photos of the failure.
Hiring safely in Ontario
Ask for proof of WSIB coverage and $2 million liability insurance, a written scope, and the warranty terms in writing — both the manufacturer's material warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty. Never pay the full amount upfront.
Get the right pro on it
Describe the problem in your own words. We’ll work out which trade you need and connect you with suitable local pros. Free, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a roof be repaired in winter?
- Emergency repairs, yes. Full shingle replacement is best done above roughly 5°C so the adhesive strips seal properly.
- Why is the stain far from where the roof is damaged?
- Water runs along rafters and sheathing before it drops. The interior stain is often several feet from the actual entry point.
- Does insurance cover roof leaks?
- Sudden storm damage is usually covered; wear, age and deferred maintenance are not.