Emergency Roof Tarping Services

How Our Professional Emergency Tarping Process Works in Utah

When you call Shep’s Roofing for emergency tarping, we follow a methodical process designed to maximize protection and create thorough documentation for your insurance claim. Here is what to expect from the moment you pick up the phone.

Step 1: Emergency Intake and Dispatch

Our team gathers basic information about the damage, your property location, and any safety hazards such as downed power lines or structural instability. We dispatch the nearest available crew, typically arriving within hours for properties in Helper, Price, and surrounding Carbon County communities.

Step 2: Safety Assessment and Damage Survey

Before anyone sets foot on the roof, we evaluate the structure from the ground. If there are signs of structural sagging or compromised trusses, we take additional precautions. We photograph all visible damage from multiple angles to begin building your insurance documentation.

Step 3: Debris Removal

Fallen tree limbs, broken shingles, displaced flashing, and other storm debris must be carefully cleared before a tarp can be positioned. Our crews remove debris without causing further damage to the surrounding roofing material.

Step 4: Tarp Measurement and Positioning

We measure the damaged area and select a heavy-duty, UV-stabilized polyethylene tarp that extends at least four feet beyond the damage on all sides. This generous overlap ensures water cannot be driven under the tarp by wind. The tarp is positioned over the ridge line whenever possible so gravity works in your favor.

Step 5: Mechanical Fastening

Unlike homeowner-applied tarps that rely on sandbags or duct tape, our installation uses 2×4 lumber battens screwed into the roof decking through the tarp material. This mechanical anchoring method withstands sustained winds of 50 mph or more and prevents the flapping and lifting that allows water infiltration. In Helper and eastern Utah, where canyon-funneled winds are common, this step is especially critical.

Step 6: Final Inspection and Documentation

We inspect every edge and seam of the tarp installation, then photograph the completed work. You receive a written summary of the tarping scope, material specifications, and photo documentation that your insurance adjuster will need when processing your storm damage claim.

Professional Tarping vs. DIY: Why It Matters

After a storm, the temptation to climb up and throw a blue tarp over the damage yourself is understandable. But there are serious safety and financial risks to a DIY approach. A rain-slicked or debris-covered roof is one of the most dangerous surfaces a homeowner can encounter, and a poorly secured tarp can actually void portions of your insurance claim by suggesting the damage was not severe enough to require professional intervention.

The table below compares professional tarping from Shep’s Roofing with typical DIY attempts so you can understand why the investment in expert installation pays for itself.