Storm Damage: What Emergency Tarping and Board-Up Really Involve

After a severe storm, the roof repair is not the urgent part — stopping additional water from entering the building is. That work is called emergency mitigation, and insurers expect you to do it.

Why the first 48 hours matter

Most homeowner policies require the insured to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. A missing section of shingles that goes untarped through the next rain can turn a covered roof claim into an argued-over interior claim. Emergency tarping and board-up are typically billed and approved separately from the permanent repair.

What tarping involves

Crews install reinforced poly tarps over the damaged roof plane, secured with furring strips fastened into the decking so wind cannot lift the edges. A properly installed tarp sheds water past the damaged area and can last several weeks to a few months while the claim is settled.

What board-up involves

Broken windows, damaged doors, and blown-out openings get sheathed with plywood fastened to the framing. Beyond weather protection, board-up limits liability and secures the property against entry while it sits unoccupied.

Documentation is part of the job

Before anything is covered or sealed, photograph the damage from multiple angles, including wide shots that establish location. Keep every invoice for tarps, board-up, generators, and drying equipment. Adjusters routinely reimburse mitigation costs that are documented and deny the ones that are not.

Avoiding storm chasers

After a large hail or wind event, out-of-area crews flood the neighborhood. Warning signs include door-to-door solicitation within hours of the storm, requests for a large deposit before any work, offers to waive or absorb your deductible (illegal in many states), no local address, and pressure to sign a contract that assigns your insurance benefits to them.

Choosing a local restoration company

Look for a company with a permanent local address, a track record in your county, direct experience communicating with adjusters, and a written scope that separates emergency mitigation from permanent repairs. Get the emergency work started immediately and take your time choosing the contractor for the rebuild.