When wind off Lake Michigan strips shingles off a Sheridan Road home at 2 a.m., you do not want to wait three days for a callback. Call us and we will get your request in front of contractors in the network who take emergency stabilization calls in your community. Response times are set by the contractor, not by us, so if water is actively coming in, say so on the phone or in the form and we will flag it as urgent.
What an emergency call should involve
Stabilizing the leak comes first: heavy-mil reinforced tarp, sandbagged and screwed into the deck through cushioned battens so no new holes are created, with the seams overlapped against the prevailing wind. Everything should be documented with date-stamped photos and a written narrative your insurance adjuster will accept. The permanent repair is a separate, planned visit.
When to call right now
Active interior dripping, daylight visible through the attic roof deck, a tree limb on or through the roof, shingles littering the yard after a storm, missing flashing or step-flashing after high winds, or any situation where you smell wet drywall or insulation. Do not wait for it to dry on its own — gypsum board that has been soaked will mold within 48 hours.
What you can do before a contractor arrives
Move valuables and electronics away from the leak. Place a 5-gallon bucket under any active drip and slit the ceiling bulge with a small screwdriver to let it drain in a controlled way (a soaked ceiling that collapses on its own makes a much bigger mess). Do not climb on a wet or storm-damaged roof yourself. Take photos of everything — they help with the insurance claim later.
What you get with us
- Request line: (331) 267-5113
- Matched with contractors who take emergency calls
- Free to homeowners
- Ask about emergency surcharges before dispatch
Questions Evanston homeowners ask about repair.
How fast will someone get here?+
That depends on the contractor and on how many other calls a storm has generated. We pass urgent requests along immediately and flag them as emergencies, but we are a referral service and cannot promise an arrival time on a contractor behalf.
Will my insurance cover the tarp?+
Usually. Emergency mitigation is a standard covered expense under most HO-3 policies in Illinois. Keep receipts and ask the contractor for date-stamped photos for the adjuster.
Is the permanent repair done at the same time?+
Almost never. The right permanent repair requires a dry deck, daylight, and time to source the correct flashing or shingle, so expect a second scheduled visit.