Emergency roof tarping.

A tarp is a stopgap, not a repair. Sun breaks down the material and wind works at the fastenings, so it’s meant to protect the house for a short time while the permanent fix is arranged. The sooner the roof is repaired, the less chance of water finding its way in around the edges. While it’s on, check it from the ground after every storm. If an edge has come loose, the tarp is flapping or a new stain shows up inside, call us so we can re-secure it before more water gets in.

Depending on the damage, the next step is a roof repair or, for a badly damaged or older roof, a replacement. We’ll tell you which after we’ve inspected it. If the water came in through a leak rather than storm damage, see roof leak repair.

Nor’easters, summer thunderstorms and the tail end of hurricane season all bring high winds and heavy rain to Nassau and Suffolk County. Wind tends to lift shingles at the edges and ridges first, and trees that overhang the house can drop limbs straight through the deck. When a storm has damaged your roof, a tarp protects everything under it: ceilings, insulation, wiring, floors and whatever is stored in the attic. Getting the house covered quickly is usually what keeps a roof repair from turning into a much bigger interior repair.