If your roof is actively leaking, protect the inside first: move belongings, catch water, and turn off power to any wet light fixtures. Stay off the roof. Have a roofer install a heavy-duty tarp secured with battens, ideally over the ridge, to stop more water until permanent repairs can be made. Document everything for your insurer.
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When water is actively coming into the house, the first job isn't a perfect repair. It's stopping more water from getting in. Emergency tarping and temporary patches buy time until the roof can be properly repaired or replaced, and they help limit damage to ceilings, insulation, walls, and floors.
When you need emergency service
- Water dripping or pouring through a ceiling, light fixture, or around a chimney.
- A tree or large limb has punctured the roof.
- Shingles and underlayment have blown off, exposing the wood decking.
- More rain is in the forecast and the roof is already damaged.
What a proper tarp job looks like
A good emergency tarp is more than a sheet of plastic with a few bricks on top. Done right, it typically:
- Uses a heavy-duty, UV-resistant tarp sized to extend past the damage, ideally over the ridge so water can't run underneath.
- Is secured with wood battens fastened through the tarp, so wind can't get under it and peel it back.
- Is installed by a crew with fall protection. Wet, damaged, or steep roofs are dangerous, and a homeowner on a ladder in a storm is how serious injuries happen.
If a tree is on the roof, it usually has to be removed by a tree service before the roof can be tarped, and a structural assessment may be needed. Some roofers coordinate with tree crews.
What you can do right now, safely
- Protect the inside first. Move furniture, rugs, and electronics away from the leak. Put buckets and towels down.
- Watch electrical hazards. If water is coming through a light fixture or near wiring, turn off that circuit at the breaker.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling carefully. A ceiling bubble full of water can collapse. A small hole at the lowest point over a bucket lets it drain, if you can reach it safely and away from fixtures.
- Document everything. Take photos and video of the leak, the ceiling, and any visible roof damage before cleanup.
- Call your insurer. Emergency tarping is often considered part of mitigating the loss. Keep receipts.
After the emergency
A tarp is temporary. UV exposure and wind will break it down over time, so plan for a permanent repair or replacement soon. If water soaked attic insulation, drywall, or flooring, those materials need to be dried or removed quickly. Mold can begin growing on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours, and Georgia's humidity doesn't help. A roofer can tell you what's needed on the roof; a water damage restoration company handles drying the interior.
Leaking now? Request a roofing contractor and choose "Emergency — active leak now."
Frequently asked questions
How long can a roof tarp stay up?
A professionally installed tarp is meant to be temporary, often a matter of weeks to a few months. Sun and wind break tarps down, so schedule a permanent repair as soon as you can.
Does insurance pay for emergency tarping?
Emergency tarping is often treated as a reasonable step to prevent further damage under a covered claim. Keep the invoice and photos and check with your insurer.
Should I tarp the roof myself?
Generally no. Wet, damaged, and steep roofs are dangerous, especially during or right after a storm. Professionals use fall protection and secure tarps so wind can't tear them off.