EMERGENCY ROOF TARPING

A tarp to hold the weather off until the real repair

Roof tarping for homes and commercial buildings in Tyler and East Texas, so water stays out while the proper repair is planned.

Call (903) 630-5751 Free roof inspection

What happens when a storm opens the roof

East Texas weather turns on you fast: sun and blue sky one minute, thunder and lightning the next. The roof is the first line of defense, and when it gives, the roof is not the only thing at risk. Water gets in, and the inside of the home or building is next.

The damage can come from a tornado or wind, hail, tree debris, lightning, long-term water, even squirrels. It can be as ordinary as a misplaced shingle or a water stain, or as serious as a gaping hole after a tornado.

Minor roof damage today can turn into a much larger, more costly roof and interior problem tomorrow. Mold, mildew, water stains and rotten materials all start with a small amount of water left unattended.

How the Steele crew handles an emergency roof

Our experienced contractors take care of the immediate problem first, which on an open roof means keeping water out of the building. Then, once the weather settles, we do a thorough inspection and give you a written report. Homes and commercial buildings get the same approach.

A tarp is temporary cover, not a repair. It buys you time to deal with your insurance company and plan the proper repair or replacement. Our free inspection looks at the whole roof and sets out the next steps, from emergency tarping to the complete course of repair.

Please don't climb up and try it yourself. Fallen limbs, insecure boards and wet decking are hazards a trained crew expects. The office on Hwy 69 South is open Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, and the number is (903) 630-5751.

What comes after the tarp

Schedule the inspection and the proper repair while the tarp holds. If this is storm damage, the insurance process starts now: photos and video before any cleanup, then a call to your carrier for guidance on how to proceed.

From the written inspection we go to a repair or a full replacement, and your project manager works with the adjuster along the way. Our storm restoration page walks through how that goes, step by step.

Then prevent the next one. Have the roof inspected every spring or fall and after any severe weather. A tarp that stays on for months is no substitute for a roof, so don't let a stopgap become the plan.

A Steele Roofing STORM DAMAGE yard sign on a lawn, with a tarp over part of the house roof behind it

Schedule your free inspection: call (903) 630-5751. We will evaluate the next steps, from tarping to the full repair.

What to do before the tarp goes on

Your own safety comes first, and a few photos taken early save arguments later. This is the order we would work it in.

From the ground

Check what you can see without climbing. Displaced shingles, displaced gutters and tree debris on the roof are clear signs you need an inspection, and a roof that looks fine after a hard wind and rain can still be damaged.

Photograph first

Take detailed photos and video of all the damage before any cleanup. It helps your insurance company, and it can be necessary to show that the damage happened when you say it did.

Make the calls

Call your insurance company for guidance on how to proceed, and call a licensed local roofer. Some carriers need to evaluate the damage before anything is moved or repaired.

Inside the house

If water is coming through, put out buckets or other containers to catch it and keep it from spreading. Mop standing water with towels, and don't leave them wet on the floor.

Clear the debris

Once the photos are done, and only if it is safe, clear loose debris. Watch for electrical hazards, nails and sharp pieces, and anything that might fall from above.

Stay off the roof

Tarping a large hole is difficult and dangerous, so leave it to a crew. After a big storm or tornado, roofers can't reach every house at once, so be patient if you can.

The Steele Roofing STORM Damage Relief box truck in the black and lime wrap — The STORM Damage Relief truck. Roofing and gutters are on the side, and so is the number: (903) 630-5751.

“Carter Fields was professional, thorough, and took the time to explain everything clearly.”
Courtney Wickham, Google review

Once the roof is covered, the next stop is storm restoration, and the insurance claims page explains how we work with your adjuster. Book a free roof inspection or call (903) 630-5751. The Steele Shield plan keeps an eye on a repaired roof twice a year.