Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
The storm just ripped through your Charlotte neighborhood. You hear a crash. Then you see it: a branch punched right through your roof. Rain is pouring in. Your heart sinks.
What do you do next?
For most Charlotte and Lake Norman homeowners, this nightmare scenario feels overwhelming. But here's what you need to know right away: your first move matters more than you think. And it's not calling your insurance company first. It's stopping the damage from getting worse.
That's where emergency tarping comes in. It's a simple concept. But it can save you thousands of dollars. And your insurance company actually requires it.
Let me explain everything you need to know.
Emergency roof tarping is exactly what it sounds like. We cover the damaged part of your roof with a heavy-duty, waterproof tarp. This creates a temporary barrier. It keeps rain, debris, and pests out of your home.
Think of it like a bandage for your roof. It's not a permanent fix. But it stops the bleeding until you can get proper repairs done.
The tarps we use aren't the flimsy blue ones from the hardware store. Professional-grade tarps are thick vinyl material. They're designed to handle wind, rain, and the Carolina sun. When installed correctly, they can protect your home for weeks or even months.
Here's what a proper emergency tarp setup includes:
The goal is simple. Keep water out. Prevent further damage. Buy you time to plan permanent repairs.
Here's something that surprises most homeowners. Your insurance policy has a clause you probably never read. It's called the "duty to mitigate" clause.
In plain English? You're required to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage to your property. If you don't, your insurance company can reduce or deny your claim.
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) puts it clearly: "Homeowners have an obligation under most insurance policies to protect their property from additional damage after an initial loss occurs."
This isn't about the insurance company being difficult. It makes sense when you think about it. A small hole in your roof might cost $2,000 to repair. But if you let rain pour in for two weeks? Now you're looking at:
That $2,000 repair just became a $20,000 disaster.
Here's the good news. Emergency tarping costs are typically covered by your insurance as part of your claim. We document everything we do. We provide photos and receipts. This becomes part of your claim file and shows you did your part.
So think of emergency tarping as both protection for your home AND protection for your insurance claim.
Not every roof problem needs immediate tarping. But some situations absolutely do. Here's when you should call us right away:
Charlotte and Lake Norman see their share of nasty weather. Summer thunderstorms roll through fast and hit hard. Winter ice storms can drop branches on roofs without warning. And we all remember what hurricane season can bring.
If high winds ripped off shingles or hail punched holes in your roof, you need protection fast. Even a few missing shingles can let water into your attic.
This is one of the most dramatic scenarios we see. A tree limb crashes through your roof. Now you have a gaping hole. Rain, animals, and debris have direct access to your home.
Tree damage is tricky because you often need two professionals. An arborist removes the tree safely. Then we secure the roof. At Best Roofing Now, we coordinate this process so you don't have to make a dozen phone calls during a crisis.
Sometimes a roof fails without obvious external damage. Maybe old flashing finally gave out. Perhaps years of wear caught up at the worst moment. If water is actively pouring into your home during a storm, emergency tarping can stop it.
After a fire, your roof may have holes from the fire itself or from firefighters cutting ventilation holes. Either way, you need that opening covered immediately.
Raccoons and squirrels in the Lake Norman area can be persistent. If wildlife has created an opening large enough to let water in, it needs attention before the next rain.
I get it. You're a handy person. You've got a ladder. You can buy a tarp at Lowe's. Why pay someone to do something that seems simple?
Here's the honest truth: roof work during or after a storm is dangerous. Really dangerous.
Wet roofs are slippery. Even experienced roofers are extra careful on wet surfaces. One wrong step and you're falling off a two-story house.
Damaged structures are unpredictable. That roof section might look stable. But the decking underneath could be compromised. It might not hold your weight.
Wind makes everything harder. Try handling a large tarp in 20 mph winds. It becomes a sail. It can pull you off balance in an instant.
Improper installation causes more problems. A tarp that isn't secured correctly can blow off. Worse, it can channel water INTO your home instead of away from it. We've seen DIY tarping jobs that actually made the damage worse.
Our crews are trained for this work. We have proper safety equipment. We know how to secure tarps so they actually protect your home. And we can get on your roof faster than you can find your ladder in the garage.
When you call us at (704) 605-6047 with a roof emergency, here's exactly what happens:
We answer emergency calls 24/7. Yes, even at 2 AM during a thunderstorm. A real person will talk to you, assess your situation, and dispatch a crew as quickly as possible.
For Charlotte and Lake Norman homeowners, we can usually have someone on-site within hours: not days.
Before anyone climbs on your roof, we assess the situation. Is it safe to work? Are there downed power lines nearby? Is the structure stable enough to support our crew?
If conditions are too dangerous, we'll tell you honestly. Sometimes we need to wait for the storm to pass or for the utility company to address hazards. Your safety and our crew's safety come first.
This step is crucial for your insurance claim. Before we cover anything, we photograph and document all visible damage. We note the date, time, and conditions. This creates a clear record of what the storm did before any repairs began.
Our crew positions heavy-duty tarps over all damaged areas. We extend coverage well beyond the visible damage: usually several feet in each direction. This accounts for hidden damage and ensures complete protection.
We secure the tarps using proper roofing fasteners. We pay special attention to:
If safe and accessible, we'll check your attic for water intrusion. Sometimes damage isn't visible from outside but has already let water into your home. Knowing this helps you take additional steps inside, like setting up fans or dehumidifiers.
We provide you with complete documentation. Photos before and after. A written description of what we found and what we did. An invoice for the emergency service. All of this goes into your insurance claim file.
Let me be completely transparent here. Emergency tarping is not a permanent solution. It was never meant to be.
A quality tarp installation can protect your home for several weeks to a few months. The exact timeline depends on:
Think of tarping as buying time. It protects your home while you:
Important: Don't leave a tarp on longer than necessary. The longer you wait for permanent repairs, the more risk you take. Tarps can shift. Fasteners can work loose. UV rays break down the material.
Our recommendation? Start the permanent repair process immediately after tarping. We can often do both: tarp your roof today and schedule the full repair for the earliest available date.
If you live on or near Lake Norman, your roof faces unique challenges. Waterfront properties in Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, and Huntersville experience stronger winds than inland homes. The open water creates what locals sometimes call a "wind tunnel" effect.
This means:
Our Lake Norman crews understand these conditions. We've repaired hundreds of waterfront roofs. We know which fastening methods work best in high-wind situations. And we pay extra attention to the sides of your roof that face the water.
Homeowners always ask about cost. Here's the straight answer: emergency tarping typically runs between $200 and $1,000 depending on:
But remember: this cost is almost always covered by your homeowner's insurance as part of your storm damage claim. It falls under the "reasonable steps to prevent further damage" that your policy requires.
We document everything for your claim. Most homeowners end up paying nothing out of pocket for emergency tarping once their claim is processed.
Pro tip: Keep copies of all emergency tarping receipts and documentation. Submit them with your initial claim. Don't let them get lost in the shuffle.
Once your roof is protected, you can breathe. But the work isn't done. Here's what should happen next:
We can help with every step of this process. Our team works with insurance companies daily. We know what documentation adjusters need. We can meet with them on-site to make sure nothing gets missed.
For a complete guide on handling storm damage, check out our post on what to do after a storm in Charlotte.
Here's my best advice: save our number before you need it.
⚠️ When a storm damages your roof, you won't have time to research roofing companies. You'll be stressed. You'll be dealing with water in your house. You'll want someone you can trust to show up fast.
Best Roofing Now has been serving Charlotte and Lake Norman since 2020. We're veteran-owned and operated. We're BBB A+ accredited. We have over 100 five-star Google reviews. And we answer emergency calls 24/7.
Store (704) 605-6047 in your phone. Hopefully you'll never need it. But if a storm hits your roof tonight, you'll know exactly who to call.
Your roof emergency won't wait: and neither will we. Call Best Roofing Now at (704) 605-6047 for immediate 24/7 emergency tarping service in Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, and all Lake Norman communities.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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