An open roof soaks insulation, drywall and framing with every storm — we tarp and secure it today, 24/7
📞 CALL (800) 792-0212 NOW 🔍 Request Free InspectionWhen a storm tears open your roof — whether it's a field of missing shingles, lifted decking, or a tree punching through your attic — the clock starts immediately. This is not a problem that can wait until morning or until after the weekend. Here is what happens to an unprotected Mount Prospect home hour by hour after roof damage occurs:
Within the first rainfall after an opening, water soaks directly into your attic insulation, rendering it ineffective and creating a heavy, saturated mass that can stress ceiling drywall below. Within 24 to 48 hours, moisture trapped in wall cavities, attic framing, and insulation batts provides the warm, dark, humid environment that mold spores need to begin colonizing. In the Chicago area, mold remediation from a single water intrusion event can cost tens of thousands of dollars on top of the original roof repair — and some insurance policies limit mold coverage. Saturated drywall ceilings can and do collapse without warning, creating a safety hazard for everyone in the home. Light fixtures, electrical junction boxes, and wiring inside wet ceiling cavities create real shock and fire risks.
There is also a critical insurance angle: virtually every homeowners policy in Illinois includes a duty-to-mitigate clause. If your insurer discovers that you left an open roof unprotected and allowed preventable secondary water damage to occur, they may reduce or deny that portion of your claim. A licensed contractor's emergency tarp — installed the same day, with professional documentation — protects your claim as much as it protects your home.
Do not wait. Call Allied Emergency Services right now at (800) 792-0212. We respond in 60 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mount Prospect is a mature, tree-canopied northwest suburban community sitting in the heart of Cook County, bordered by Des Plaines to the north, Elk Grove Village to the south, Arlington Heights to the west, and Park Ridge to the southeast. With a housing stock that includes thousands of mid-century ranch homes, Cape Cods, and two-story colonials built between the 1950s and 1980s, Mount Prospect's neighborhoods feature original-era roofing materials that are now well past their designed service life — making storm damage both more likely and more severe when it occurs.
The community's landmark Randhurst Village area and the historic downtown district around Main Street and Northwest Highway are surrounded by established residential blocks where 60- and 70-year-old shade trees have grown to full canopy height. Those trees are a defining feature of Mount Prospect neighborhoods like Prospect Meadows, Lion's Park, and Central Road Estates — but they are also the leading cause of tree-strike roof damage during thunderstorms and high-wind events. A mature oak or silver maple limb can punch through a roof deck, shatter rafters, and open a 10-square-foot hole in seconds during an Illinois derecho or supercell thunderstorm. Allied Emergency Services crews are experienced with exactly these scenarios — rapid structural assessment, coordinating with tree removal companies, and installing secure temporary covers over irregular, debris-filled openings.
We also know Mount Prospect's geography well. The Weller Creek and Higgins Creek corridors that wind through the village add additional flood risk during heavy rain events, and basement water intrusion frequently accompanies roof damage when storms hit with sustained intensity. Our crews can assess both the roof and document any visible interior water intrusion to ensure a complete damage picture for your insurer. Whether your property is near the Melas Park athletic complex, along Northwest Highway, in the Kensington Business Centre area, or tucked into one of the quiet cul-de-sac subdivisions off Busse Road, Allied Emergency Services knows how to navigate Mount Prospect — and we respond fast.
We respond to every type of storm-caused roof opening. Here is what we cover:
Severe thunderstorms and straight-line winds are the most common cause of sudden roof damage in Mount Prospect. When wind lifts shingle fields, tears off ridge caps, or peels back sections of decking, your home has an open wound that every subsequent storm will exploit. Our crew arrives with commercial-grade polyethylene tarps, ballast boards, and mechanical fastening systems designed to create a weather-tight temporary seal across any size damaged area — without causing additional penetrations in undamaged sections of your roof. We assess the full wind path across your roof surface, because wind damage is rarely limited to the obvious visible area.
Hail damage to a Mount Prospect roof is often invisible from the ground — but the impact bruises and fractures that hailstones leave in asphalt shingles allow water infiltration that compounds with every subsequent rain. In large hail events (1.5 inches or greater), shingles can be directly punctured, granule loss is severe enough to compromise the waterproofing mat entirely, and metal components including flashing, gutters, and vents show visible dents that indicate impact force. Our crew performs a careful, roof-level inspection to identify and photograph every hail hit on your roof — this documentation is critical evidence for your insurance adjuster and must be captured before the next rain washes away granule patterns and freshens impact marks.
Mount Prospect's heavily wooded residential streets create a significant tree-strike risk during severe storms. When a limb or whole tree section falls onto a roof, the damage profile is complex: the impact zone may have fractured or displaced rafters, shattered sheathing, and created a large irregular opening that a standard tarp cannot simply be laid over. Our crew begins every tree-strike call with a structural safety assessment before anyone steps onto the roof surface. We identify any areas where the decking or framing has been compromised to the point that it cannot safely bear foot traffic or tarp weight. We can coordinate with emergency tree removal services to have debris cleared while we prepare the cover installation, and when shoring is needed to stabilize fractured framing, we handle that as part of the emergency response.
An emergency tarp is the beginning of your restoration — not the end. Allied Emergency Services manages the complete transition from emergency stabilization through permanent repair, so you are never left searching for a second contractor after the crisis. Once your roof is tarped and the home is protected, our project management team opens a restoration file, compiles all damage documentation, and prepares a comprehensive scope of repair. We work within the insurance process and communicate directly with you about what the repair involves, what materials will be used, and what the expected timeline looks like. When it is time to replace the tarp with permanent roofing, our licensed crews handle every aspect of the project — tear-off, decking inspection and replacement, underlayment, flashing, and new shingles — to manufacturer and Illinois code standards.
Understanding when and how storms strike the northwest Chicago suburbs helps Mount Prospect homeowners recognize why rapid emergency response matters. The village sits squarely in the Illinois severe weather corridor, where three distinct atmospheric patterns drive roof-damaging events throughout the year.
The transition from winter to spring in northeast Illinois is marked by volatile clash zones between cold Canadian air masses and warm, moisture-laden Gulf air pushing north. Mount Prospect sits in Cook County's northwest corner, where these boundaries frequently stall, generating persistent lines of severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail (1.5 to 2.5+ inches), damaging straight-line winds exceeding 70 mph, and occasional tornadoes in surrounding townships. Spring storms are particularly damaging because deciduous trees have not yet leafed out fully, making trunks and large limbs susceptible to wind loading without the aerodynamic buffering of a full leaf canopy.
The greater Chicagoland region is a frequent target for midwest derechos — fast-moving, organized systems of severe thunderstorms that produce widespread, long-duration wind damage across hundreds of miles. Mount Prospect has experienced multiple significant derecho events in the past decade, with wind gusts recorded in the northwest suburbs between 65 and 90 mph. Unlike a tornado, which cuts a narrow path, a derecho can strip shingles and damage roofs across entire neighborhoods simultaneously. Following a major derecho event, emergency response crews across the suburbs are overwhelmed with calls — homeowners who call immediately get priority positioning.
Some of the largest recorded hailstones in Illinois history have fallen in the northwest suburbs during late-summer supercell thunderstorm events. Golf-ball and baseball-sized hail can destroy an entire roof surface in minutes, puncturing shingles, denting metal flashings and vents, and shattering skylights. The Chicagoland area consistently ranks among the top 10 metro areas in the nation for annual hail losses. Mount Prospect homeowners with roofs more than 10-12 years old face particular vulnerability, as aged asphalt shingles have lost sufficient granular surface to withstand the impact energy of large hailstones.
Post-front wind events in October and November, while not producing the dramatic storms of summer, can steadily lift and peel aged or improperly fastened shingles. A sustained 40- to 50-mph wind event on a cold October day can remove tabs from an aging 3-tab shingle roof across large sections, leaving the felt underlayment exposed and vulnerable to the first freeze-thaw cycle. Fall wind damage often goes unnoticed until the homeowner investigates after finding shingles in the yard — by then, the underlayment may already have begun to fail.
While not storm damage in the traditional sense, winter ice dams — formed when attic heat causes snowmelt that refreezes at the cold eave edge — can create significant roof damage and water intrusion in Mount Prospect's older housing stock. The freeze-thaw cycle in the Chicago metro can occur multiple times per week during mild winters, and each cycle expands the ice penetration under shingles. When ice dam water intrusion is discovered during a winter thaw, emergency tarping is often required to prevent ongoing damage until temperatures allow for proper repair work.
Every year in the Chicago suburbs, emergency rooms treat homeowners who were seriously injured attempting to climb onto their damaged roofs immediately after a storm. This is one of the most dangerous things a homeowner can do, and it is entirely avoidable. Here is why professional emergency tarping is not just more effective — it is dramatically safer and smarter from every angle.
The physical danger is real and immediate. A roof that has just sustained storm damage is not the same roof you stood on two years ago to clean the gutters. Decking panels can be delaminated and ready to collapse. Wet shingles on a 6/12 or steeper pitch create conditions close to standing on ice. The edge conditions created by missing shingles — exposed felt, nails, and splintered wood — are unpredictable footing. Post-storm winds frequently continue at 20 to 40 mph for hours after the main event, creating hazardous conditions at height. Add to this the reality that a panicking homeowner is trying to wrestle a full-size polyethylene tarp in wind while balancing on an extension ladder, and you have one of the leading causes of serious home-related injuries in the midwest storm season.
DIY tarping rarely achieves what it needs to. A hardware-store blue tarp, weighted with bricks or strapped to vent pipes, is not an emergency roof cover — it is a temporary visual fix that frequently fails under the first sustained wind. Tarps secured by driving nails or screws through undamaged sheathing create new penetration points that become leak sites. Tarps improperly tensioned can act as sails, lifting and peeling decking away from the structure rather than protecting it. Water can pool between an improperly pitched tarp and the roof surface, adding hundreds of pounds of weight to a structure that may already be compromised.
Professional installation means proper anchoring without new damage. Allied Emergency Services installs commercial-grade tarps using ballasted cap-and-batten systems and perimeter anchor boards that distribute load across multiple roof surfaces without driving fasteners into undamaged areas. Our tarps are lapped over the ridge and secured on both faces to prevent wind uplift. They are installed with enough tension to self-drain in rain. The entire installation is documented photographically as part of your damage record.
Insurance documentation is only valid from a licensed contractor. A photo you take of a tarp you installed yourself does not carry the same weight with an insurance adjuster as a professional, timestamped damage report from a licensed Illinois roofing contractor. Our emergency response report identifies the cause of damage, the extent of affected areas, the current condition of underlying materials, and the emergency mitigation steps taken. This report is a professional document that establishes your claim narrative and protects you from scope disputes later in the process.
The bottom line: get off the ladder, get inside, and call Allied Emergency Services at (800) 792-0212. We will be there within the hour and we will do it right.
Storm damage to your Mount Prospect home sets off a restoration process that, handled correctly, results in a fully repaired property with costs covered by your homeowners insurance. Here is how Allied Emergency Services guides you through every step.
The moment you call our 24/7 emergency line at (800) 792-0212, we dispatch the nearest crew to your Mount Prospect address. Our team arrives with all equipment needed to safely access your roof, assess structural conditions, and install a weather-tight temporary cover. We perform a rapid triage — identifying active water intrusion paths, any structural safety concerns, and the full extent of the visible damage area. The roof is then tarped using commercial-grade materials and anchoring systems rated for Chicagoland wind speeds. Before leaving, we brief you on what we found, answer your questions, and leave you with a written record of the emergency service performed.
During and after the emergency service, our team captures comprehensive photographic and written documentation of all damage. This includes exterior roof surfaces, underlayment and decking condition where visible, all affected flashing, gutters, vents, and any interior areas showing water infiltration signs. Every image is timestamped and geotagged. We note the probable cause of damage (storm wind, hail impact, tree strike, ice), the estimated age and condition of the pre-existing roofing materials, and the specific nature of each damaged area. This documentation package becomes your claim's foundation — a professional, organized record from a licensed contractor that tells the full story of the event and its impact on your property.
We are experienced in working alongside your insurance adjuster through the claim process. When your insurer's adjuster comes to inspect the property, we can have a project manager present to walk the adjuster through the damage documentation and ensure that all affected areas are reviewed. We prepare a detailed scope of work and material specification that your adjuster can use to build the claim estimate. It is important to understand that Allied Emergency Services is a licensed restoration contractor — we document damage and perform restoration repairs. We do not adjust, negotiate, or settle insurance claims on your behalf; your adjuster and your insurer are responsible for those decisions.
Once your claim scope is established and the project is scheduled, our licensed crews execute the full restoration. This typically begins with a complete tear-off of the damaged roofing system — removing all compromised shingles, underlayment, and any damaged decking boards. We inspect every square foot of decking for soft spots, delamination, and hidden moisture damage before installing new materials. Replacement decking is installed where needed. New ice-and-water shield underlayment is installed at eaves, valleys, and around all penetrations per Illinois building code and manufacturer specifications. Premium synthetic underlayment covers the field of the roof, followed by new architectural shingles installed to manufacturer wind-resistance specifications. All flashings, drip edges, vents, and ridge cap are replaced or repaired to complete the weatherproof system.
Before we close any project, a project manager conducts a comprehensive final inspection of the completed work — from ridge to eave on all faces, including all flashings, sealants, and penetration details. We confirm that all debris has been removed from the property, gutters are clear and properly reattached, and the lawn and landscaping have been cleaned of roofing material. We walk you through the completed project, point out key features of your new roof system, review any warranty documentation, and answer any questions you have. You receive a completion package including the final scope of work, warranty information, and our contact information for any future needs. We stand behind every project we complete.
"A massive oak limb came through our roof during the July storm — we had a hole the size of a car door in our attic. I called Allied at 11 PM and they were at my house on Elmhurst Avenue by midnight. The crew was calm, professional, and had the opening completely covered before 2 AM. They also stopped in the attic to move my stored belongings away from the water drip line. That kind of attention to detail when you're already stressed out means everything."
"After the hailstorm last spring, I didn't realize how bad my roof was until Allied's team showed me the photos they took up on the roof. I could see dozens of impacts I never would have found myself from the ground. The damage report they put together was incredibly thorough — my insurance adjuster actually told me it was one of the best-documented claims he'd reviewed. The whole process from tarp to finished roof took about three weeks and the job was immaculate."
"I made the mistake of trying to put a tarp up myself after wind took off about a third of my shingles. I slipped on the wet roof and barely caught the gutter — scared me half to death. Called Allied the next morning and wished I'd called them the night before. They were there in under an hour, installed a proper cover in about 90 minutes, and never once made me feel bad about the DIY attempt. Very knowledgeable, very friendly crew. Would absolutely recommend to any neighbor in Mount Prospect."
Reviews represent typical customer experiences. Individual results may vary.
From your first call to a secured roof — here is exactly what happens:
Dial (800) 792-0212 any hour of the day or night. A live dispatcher answers immediately — no voicemail, no callback queue. We take your address, confirm the nature of the emergency, and begin routing the nearest available crew to your Mount Prospect location while you are still on the phone.
Our crews are staged throughout the northwest Chicago suburbs, including coverage corridors along I-90, IL-83, and Rand Road that serve Mount Prospect directly. In most cases, our team is at your property within 60 minutes of your call. We confirm an arrival window with you and call ahead when we are 15 minutes out.
Before anyone sets foot on your roof, we conduct a ground-level and perimeter safety assessment. We identify overhead hazards, evaluate the structural condition of the roof from visible cues, check for downed power lines or electrical exposure, and confirm safe access routes. Your safety and our crew's safety come before speed.
Our crew documents the damage thoroughly — photos of all affected areas, measurements of the open section, and notes on visible interior intrusion paths. The tarp installation follows immediately: commercial-grade cover materials, proper anchoring, and drainage orientation. The complete installation is re-documented after completion.
Before we leave, we sit down with you (or speak by phone if you are not on-site) and walk through everything we found, everything we did, and what your next steps should be. We leave you with a written emergency service record, our direct project contact information, and a clear explanation of what to expect through the insurance and restoration process.
Our team responds within 1 hour — don't let damage get worse.
Allied Emergency Services maintains crews staged throughout the northwest suburbs of Chicago, including the Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights corridor. In most cases, we can dispatch a crew to your Mount Prospect property within 60 minutes of your call — day or night, weekday or weekend. Mount Prospect's access via I-90/I-294 interchange routes means our crews can reach any part of the village quickly. When you call (800) 792-0212, our dispatcher confirms your address, assesses urgency, and routes the nearest team immediately.
A properly anchored, commercial-grade 10- to 12-mil polyethylene tarp installed by Allied Emergency Services is designed to last 90 days or longer under typical Chicagoland weather conditions. We always recommend transitioning to permanent repairs within 30 to 60 days whenever possible. We revisit the tarp installation after major storm events at no additional charge during the covered period.
In the vast majority of homeowners insurance policies, emergency tarping is a covered mitigation expense. Most Illinois policies require homeowners to take reasonable steps to mitigate additional damage after a covered loss. Having a professional tarp installed by a licensed contractor like Allied satisfies that requirement. We provide thorough photo documentation and written damage reports suitable for direct submission to your insurer. Remember: we are restoration contractors, not insurance adjusters, and do not negotiate claims on your behalf.
We strongly advise against DIY roof tarping after storm damage. Every year, homeowners in the Chicago suburbs are seriously injured attempting to climb onto damaged roofs with hardware-store tarps and extension ladders immediately after severe weather. A compromised roof deck can give way without warning, wet shingles are extraordinarily slippery, and improperly secured tarps can be ripped away by the next storm or cause new penetrations. Call Allied at (800) 792-0212 instead — we'll be there within the hour.
Allied Emergency Services provides 24/7 emergency roof tarping throughout Mount Prospect and all surrounding northwest suburban communities. Within Mount Prospect, we serve every neighborhood including:
Not sure if we serve your area? Call (800) 792-0212 — if we can get there, we will.
Text ESTIMATE to (844) 907-2546 — AI-powered, responds in minutes.
📱 Tap to Text ESTIMATE📞 Call Now: (800) 792-021224/7 · Licensed & Insured · IL WI IN MI
We serve communities throughout the greater Chicagoland region and Midwest. Find your city: