Emergency Roof Tarping: Cost, How It Works, and How Long a Tarp Lasts

An emergency roof tarp is a temporary waterproof cover a roofer installs over a damaged section of roof to stop rain getting in until the permanent repair can be made. Professional tarping usually costs $450 on average nationally, with most jobs between $150 and $3,300 depending on the size of the area, and emergency rates run about $1.00–$2.80 per square foot. A properly installed tarp runs over the ridge, is anchored with boards rather than nails through the field of the roof, and should come off within about three months.

Tarping is often the most important call you make in a storm. It limits interior damage, satisfies your insurer’s expectation that you’ll protect the property, and buys time to get the permanent repair done in dry weather. This guide covers what it costs, what a proper tarp looks like, and the mistakes that turn a tarp into a second leak.

How much does emergency roof tarping cost?

Tarped area	Typical cost (2026)	Typical situation
Up to ~120 sq ft	$100–$340	A small hole, a lifted flashing, a cracked section of tile
~200 sq ft	$225–$540	Damage around a chimney, skylight, or valley
~600 sq ft	$420–$1,700	A full slope on a smaller home, or a tree-limb strike
1,200–1,500 sq ft	$840–$4,200	Several slopes, or a roof waiting on full replacement
3,000 sq ft	$2,100–$8,400	Whole-roof coverage on a large home

Source: Angi, cost to tarp a roof (updated October 2026). Angi puts labor at $0.60–$2.50 per sq ft and materials at $0.10–$0.30 per sq ft, and estimates that scheduling ahead instead of calling in an emergency saves about $500 on average.

What pushes the price up

• Size of the damaged area. A tarp has to extend well past the damage and over the ridge, so even a small hole needs a fairly large tarp.
• Steepness, height and roof shape. Two-story roofs, steep pitches, dormers and chimneys take more time and safety setup.
• Roofing material. Tile roofs have to be walked carefully to avoid cracking more tile, and the tarp has to be secured without breaking the tiles under it.
• Timing. Night, weekend, and during-the-storm calls cost more than a tarp scheduled for the next dry morning.
• Debris removal. A tree limb on the roof has to come off first. Angi puts tree removal at $200–$2,000 on its own.

How a proper roof tarp is installed

A tarp that’s thrown over a roof and weighed down with a few bricks will fail in the first gust. A professional installation looks like this:

1. Make the roof safe to work. Clear branches, broken tile or shingles, and loose nails from the area.
2. Size the tarp generously. GAF recommends extending it at least four to five feet beyond the damage so wind-driven rain can’t get underneath (GAF).
3. Run it up and over the ridge. Water then sheds over the top of the tarp instead of running under its upper edge.
4. Anchor with boards, not nails through the tarp. The tarp edges are rolled around 2x4s, and the boards are fastened so they hold the tarp tight to the roof. Nailing straight through the tarp lets it tear loose in wind.
5. Use a heavy-duty tarp. Thin blue hardware-store tarps degrade in sun and tear in wind. Pros use thicker, UV-resistant material.
6. Seal the edges where needed around chimneys, walls and vents, so water can’t run in behind the tarp.
7. Photograph the damage before and the tarp after, for your insurance file.

Should you tarp your own roof?

Usually not. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction (OSHA). A wet roof in the dark during a storm is the worst possible version of that job. GAF’s advice is direct: “It’s best to leave this work to the professionals.”

If you do decide to tarp a low, single-story roof yourself, do it only when it’s dry and calm, never alone, with non-slip shoes and a sturdy ladder, and stay off tile and steep pitches entirely. Otherwise, keep the damage contained from the inside: catch the water, protect belongings, and follow the steps in our roof leaking guide.

How long can a tarp stay on a roof?

Treat a tarp as a 30-to-90-day fix. GAF recommends keeping a tarp on no longer than about three months, and having a roofer check it about a month after it goes on to tighten anything that has loosened. Sun breaks the material down, wind works the anchors loose, and water that gets under a tarp stays trapped against the roof deck.

In Northern California that timing matters. A tarp put on during the first storm in October or November should lead to a permanent repair during the next dry spell, not ride out the whole winter. If the repair has to wait, have the tarp inspected and replaced if it’s worn.

Will insurance pay for emergency tarping?

Often, yes, when the damage itself is covered. Policies generally cover sudden damage such as wind or a fallen tree, and they expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. The California Department of Insurance tells policyholders to “make temporary repairs to prevent further damage”, and those costs are typically part of the claim.

• Keep the invoice and photos for the tarping.
• Report the claim promptly and tell the adjuster a tarp is on.
• Don’t throw away damaged material until the adjuster has seen it or you’ve photographed it.
• If the leak comes from age or wear rather than a covered event, the tarp usually won’t be covered either.

For more on claims, see our insurance claim help and does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement in California?

Tarping by roof type

Roof type	What’s different
Asphalt shingle	The easiest to tarp. Boards are fastened where the permanent repair will cover the holes.
Concrete or clay tile	Tile cracks underfoot. Common on 1970s–2000s homes in Pleasanton, San Ramon and Danville. Roofers walk the lower edges of the tiles and anchor without loading individual tiles. Leaks here are usually underlayment failures, so the long-term fix is often a lift-and-relay.
Flat and low-slope	Water ponds on a tarp instead of running off. Flat roofs on Eichlers in Palo Alto and on San Francisco row houses usually get a temporary membrane patch instead of, or along with, a tarp.
Wood shake	Brittle when old and slippery when wet. Tarp only from a stable position, and plan the permanent fix with fire-zone rules in mind.

After the tarp: what happens next

1. Inspection in dry weather to find the actual failure: flashing, a pipe boot, a valley, underlayment, or storm damage.
2. Written repair quote with photos, which you can share with your insurer.
3. Permanent repair or replacement, then the tarp comes off. See roof repairs for typical scopes and prices.

Emergency roof tarp FAQ

How much does it cost to tarp a roof?

Nationally, professional roof tarping averages about $450, with most jobs between $150 and $3,300 depending on the area covered. Emergency service typically runs $1.00–$2.80 per square foot. Steep, tile, or two-story roofs and after-hours calls cost more.

How long can a tarp stay on a roof?

About 30 to 90 days. Roofing manufacturer GAF recommends no more than about three months, with a check about a month after installation. After that, sun and wind degrade the tarp and its anchors.

Can a roof be tarped in the rain?

Sometimes, by a professional crew with fall protection, when the leak is causing serious damage. More often the crew contains the water from inside and tarps at the first safe break in the weather. Homeowners shouldn’t go on a wet roof.

Does homeowners insurance cover roof tarping?

Usually, if the damage was caused by a covered event such as wind or a falling tree. Insurers expect you to prevent further damage, and the cost of a temporary tarp is normally included in the claim. Keep the invoice and photos.

Is a tarp better than a temporary patch?

It depends on the roof. Tarps work best on sloped shingle and tile roofs. Flat roofs often do better with a temporary membrane patch or sealant, because water ponds on a tarp. A roofer will choose based on the roof type and the damage.