Roof tarps, window and door board-up
Emergency board-up and roof tarping in Atlanta
An open house takes on rain and invites trouble. We cover roof openings with tarps, board broken windows and doors with plywood and secure the property after a fire, storm or break-in until permanent repairs are made.
Updated September 2026
- Phones
- Answered 24/7
- Job type
- Water emergencies
- Service office
- Biscayne Dr NW, Atlanta
Short answer
Emergency board-up and tarping in Atlanta covers roof openings and broken windows or doors as soon as it is safe to work, keeping rain and intruders out after a storm, fire or break-in. We tarp roofs over sound framing, fasten plywood over openings and secure the house, then dry whatever water already got in.
The job
Why temporary cover matters
After a storm or fire, the damage you can see is only the start. An open roof lets the next rain into the attic and ceilings, and an open window or door lets in weather and people. Most insurance policies also expect you to protect the property from further damage.
Temporary cover buys time for permanent repairs. A well-set tarp or board-up holds through storms, does not add damage and is documented with photos so your adjuster sees what was done and why.
After you call
How an emergency board-up runs
- 01
Check safety
Structure, weather and utilities checked first.
- 02
Protect the inside
Plastic and buckets where water is coming in.
- 03
Cover openings
Roof tarped and windows and doors boarded.
- 04
Secure the house
Entries locked or fastened from inside.
- 05
Document
Photos before and after for the claim.
Common case
Roof tarping
A roof tarp has to extend past the damage, over the ridge where possible, and be fastened with wood battens rather than nails straight through the tarp, which tear out in wind. The goal is to shed water, not just cover the hole.
We tarp only when it is safe to be on the roof. In lightning or high wind, we protect the inside first with plastic and buckets and come back to the roof when conditions allow. After the roof is covered, we check the attic and ceilings for water that already got in.
Common case
Window and door board-up
Broken windows and damaged doors are covered with plywood cut to the opening and fastened to the frame so it can come off without more damage. Doors that no longer lock are secured from inside where possible.
Board-up keeps rain, animals and people out until glass and doors are replaced. We photograph each opening before and after for your claim, and sliding doors and large windows get braced so the panel cannot flex in wind. If the break-in or storm also let water or glass into the house, the cleanup follows the board-up.
Common case
Securing a home after a fire
After a fire, the fire department often breaks windows, doors and part of the roof to ventilate. Once they release the house, it is open and empty, which makes it a target.
We board every opening, tarp the roof and lock or secure the entries. Utilities are checked and shut off where needed. That protects what is left while the cleanup and the claim get organized, and it is usually the first thing an adjuster wants to see done. We check the board-up again after any storm until the rebuild starts.
In Atlanta
Fallen trees and open roofs in Atlanta
Atlanta has a lot of large trees close to houses, and big storms bring some of them down. During Helene, an oak fell on a Kirkwood home before dawn, after 11.12 inches of rain had soaked the ground over 48 hours. Saturated soil and heavy canopy are the combination that sends limbs through roofs, and a tarp over the opening is the first repair every one of those houses needs.
Before you start
What you can do safely while you wait
Safe to do
- Move belongings away from the opening
- Put buckets and towels under drips
- Photograph the damage from the ground
- Keep people away from broken glass
Leave to us
- Climbing onto a wet or damaged roof
- Tarping during lightning or high wind
- Removing limbs resting on the roof
- Entering a fire-damaged house before it is released
Your options
Which temporary cover fits
| Cover | Used for | Holds up to | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof tarp with battens | Missing shingles, small punctures | Rain and moderate wind | Temporary; needs checking after storms |
| Plywood roof patch plus tarp | Larger holes, fallen limbs | Heavier weather | Needs sound framing around the hole |
| Window and door board-up | Broken glass, damaged doors | Weather and entry | Blocks light until the glass is replaced |
| Interior plastic | When the roof is unsafe to work on | Short-term protection | Not a substitute for a roof cover |
Cost
What moves the cost of board-up and tarping
Size, height and timing set the price.
Opening size
More roof or more windows means more material and labor.
Roof pitch and height
Steep or tall roofs need more safety setup.
Framing damage
Holes over broken rafters need a plywood patch first.
Timing
Night and storm-time calls take longer to do safely.
Follow-up
Tarps are checked after storms and replaced if damaged.
FAQ
Questions people ask about emergency board-up and tarping
Temporary repairs that prevent further damage are commonly covered and often expected by insurers.
It is meant to hold until permanent repairs, usually weeks, and should be checked after storms.
If it is safe to be on the roof. If not, we protect the inside and tarp at first safe light.
A tree service removes heavy limbs; we cover the opening once the weight is off.
Glass and roofing go to those trades; we protect the house until then and repair the interior.
Talk to a person now
House open to the weather?
Call now and we'll cover the opening and keep the rain out.
Answered 24/7, holidays included.