Board-up and tarping, any hour
Emergency board-up and roof tarping for Los Angeles homes
A hole in the roof or a broken slider turns one night of damage into a week of it. We close the opening first.
- Answered 24/7
- Roofs, windows and doors
- Fire and storm openings
Updated September 2026
24/7 emergency line
(323) 709-0141- 1Tell us what is openRoof, window, door or wall.
- 2We bring the materialPlywood, tarps and battens.
- 3Secured, then photographedOn record for your claim.
Quick answer
In Los Angeles, a roof tarp or plywood board-up is the first step after a fire, storm or break-in, because rain, wind and people get in long before repairs start. We secure the opening on the same visit, photograph it for your claim and leave the permanent roof or glass work for later.
How the job runs
From the phone call to a secured house
WetDry and signed off
- 1
Describe the opening
Where, how big, and whether rain can get in now.
- 2
Safety check
Live wires, weak decking and glass before anyone climbs.
- 3
Photograph the damage
Wide and close shots before anything is covered.
- 4
Clear debris and glass
Tiles, branches and shards off roof, sill and floor.
- 5
Tarp or board it
Fastened to framing, sized well past the damage.
- 6
Check inside
Moisture readings under the opening for hidden wet ceilings.
- 7
Hand over the record
Photos and notes on what the real repair needs.
The job
What emergency board-up and tarping covers
Board-up means plywood fastened to the framing over a broken window, door or wall so it keeps weather out and cannot be pried loose. Tarping means a heavy tarp over a damaged roof section, held by wood battens screwed through it so wind cannot lift it.
Both are temporary. They buy time to scope the real repair, and insurers expect exactly this kind of mitigation after a loss. Before the next storm, get the house ready for the rain season.
Variations of this job
Roof tarping after a storm or fire
Roof tarping starts with finding the actual damage, not just the drip inside. We clear loose debris, lay a tarp that runs well past the damage and up over the ridge where we can, then fasten it with battens so the edges cannot flap. On tile roofs we work around broken tiles rather than walking on them. The tarp is sized to shed water off the roof, because a tarp that pools water only moves the leak somewhere else. We check the ceiling below before we leave.
Window and door board-up
Window and door board-up covers broken glass, kicked-in doors and sliders that no longer lock. We cut plywood to the opening, fasten it to the framing rather than the trim, and leave you a way in when the door itself is the opening. Broken glass is cleared from the sill and floor first, because a shard in the carpet is what someone steps on at two in the morning. Storefronts get heavier sheet goods, and we note the glass size so the glazier can order the right replacement.
Fence and site security
Fence and site security matters most after a fire, when a house is standing but empty and the lot is open. Temporary fence panels around the perimeter keep people off a damaged structure and show your insurer the site was protected. We set the panels, block the obvious entry points on the house itself, including garage and side doors, and walk the perimeter with you before the rebuild starts. Panels stay up until the site is safe or the contractor takes over.
Los Angeles conditions
Why board-up calls come in waves here
Board-up and tarping calls in this city come in two waves. After the January 2025 fires, many standing homes around Pacific Palisades and Altadena needed windows closed and sites fenced while owners worked out what could be saved. In February 2024 the calls came from the hills. Bel Air took more than 13 inches of rain in four days and Woodland Hills topped a foot, far more than a damaged roof can shed.
Roof open or a window gone tonight? Call and we will get a crew and materials moving.
Call (323) 709-0141Do it yourself or call
Should you tarp the roof yourself?
Some of this is reasonable to do yourself. The roof usually is not.
| What you can do | What we handle | |
|---|---|---|
| Broken window | Cardboard and tape from inside | Plywood fastened from outside |
| Roof leak | Buckets under the drip | Tarp and battens from above |
| Wet roof at night | Stay off it entirely | Harness, lighting and footing |
| Fire-damaged house | Stay out until cleared | Board-up and site fence |
Scope
What a board-up or tarp visit includes
- Safety check of the opening
- Before photos of every opening
- Debris and glass cleared
- Plywood fastened to framing
- Tarp laid past the damage
- Battens so wind cannot lift it
- Moisture readings inside
- After photos for the claim
- Notes for the permanent repair
Cost factors
What decides the cost of a tarp or board-up
We have not found a regional price range for this work reliable enough to print. Insurers usually treat it as mitigation on a covered loss, so we itemize it for the claim.
Size of the opening
Square footage to cover drives material and labor.
Roof pitch and height
Steep or two-story roofs need more setup.
Roof material
Tile takes longer to work around than shingle.
Time and weather
Overnight work in rain is slower work.
Material quantity
Sheets, tarp size and battens scale with damage.
Fencing duration
Priced by length and how long it stays.
FAQ
Board-up and tarping questions
A battened tarp holds for weeks, not years. Sun and wind wear it down, so plan the permanent repair soon.
Mitigation after a covered loss is usually part of the claim. We give you photos and an itemized record; coverage is your insurer's call.
The visit secures the opening. Our notes tell the roofer or glazier exactly what they are dealing with.
Yes. We photograph everything first. A house left open to weather usually hurts the claim.
Usually, if the structure is sound and no water reaches wiring. We check both and tell you plainly.
We take readings under the opening before leaving. A wet ceiling starts drying right away.
Related work
Other restoration jobs worth knowing about
Fire Damage Restoration
Kitchen fire
Fire Damage RestorationSmoke and Soot Cleanup
Dry soot
Smoke and Soot CleanupWildfire Smoke and Ash Cleanup
Interior ash removal
Wildfire Smoke and Ash CleanupOdor Removal
Musty water odor
Odor RemovalFlood Cleanup
Rain intrusion
How we handle flood CleanupSomething open to the weather tonight?
Call now. We will send the right materials and close it before the next rain.
24/7 emergency line
(323) 709-0141