Can I Install Emergency Tarping on My Own Roof?

Climbing onto a roof after storm or leak damage is hazardous. The surface is often slippery, and the underlying structure may be weakened and unsafe to walk on. A fall from a roof can cause severe injury or worse. Without proper safety equipment and training, you put yourself at significant risk.

Even if the damage seems minor, hidden rot or compromised decking can give way. The process involves carrying heavy materials like tarps and lumber up a ladder and working near the edge. For most homeowners, the physical danger outweighs any potential cost savings from a DIY attempt.

Your priority is to stop water from entering your living spaces. Move valuables and furniture away from the leak area inside. Place buckets or containers to catch dripping water and use towels to soak up what you can on the floor. This helps minimize interior damage.

If it is safe to do so from the ground, you can try to mark the general area of the leak from inside your attic with a piece of tape on the ceiling. This information can be helpful later. Your main action should be to contact qualified professionals for an emergency tarping service to secure the exterior.

• Move furniture and belongings away from the wet area.
• Use buckets, bins, or pots to catch dripping water.
• Soak up standing water on floors with towels.
• Turn off electricity to affected rooms if it is safe.
• Document the damage with photos for your records.
• Avoid going into the attic if the ceiling is sagging.

The cost for professional emergency tarping often ranges from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. It depends on the roof's pitch, size, accessibility, and the severity of the damage. This expense is typically part of a larger water mitigation and repair project.

Many homeowners insurance policies may help cover the cost of tarping as a necessary loss prevention measure. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. You should review your policy and report the damage to your insurance company promptly to start the claims process.