Tarp a damaged roof after a storm

Tom Hanks, owner, 24/7 Express Handyman Service · Updated September 2026

24/7 Express Handyman Service tarped a storm-damaged roof in Salt Lake, Park City and Heber. 30 days is the service life the Army Corps of Engineers designs its temporary blue roofs for. (FEMA Tarps and USACE Blue Roofs Aid in Protecting Homes From Further Damage - FEMA)

What roof tarp costs

Salt Lake City & Millcreek	from $205
Park City & Summit County	from $225
Heber Valley & Wasatch County	from $225

Roof tarp in Salt Lake City & Millcreek starts at $205: the 2-hour minimum at $95/hour ($190) plus the $15 fuel surcharge, with no dispatch fee. Time past 2 hours is billed in 30-minute steps. Larger parts are billed at cost plus 25%.

Full price sheet and estimator

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Answered 24/7 by Tom or his dispatcher.

24/7 Express Handyman Service confirms the address, the zone rate and the dispatch fee, and takes a card, before rolling.

Quick answers

How long does an emergency roof tarp last?

Think weeks, not seasons: the Army Corps of Engineers designs its Operation Blue Roof coverings to last 30 days. Book the permanent roof repair as soon as the tarp is up, and check the tarp after every storm or heavy snow.

How should a roof tarp be attached?

With wood strips fastened to the roof, not just rope: Operation Blue Roof secures reinforced plastic sheeting using strips of wood held with nails or screws. Loose-fitting tarps tied through grommets are quick self-help covers and are more likely to work loose in wind.

Is it safe to tarp my own roof after a storm?

Often not. Wet or icy shingles, loose debris and gusts make falls likely, so tarping is best done on a dry roof by someone with fall protection. From the ground you can move valuables, catch drips in the attic and photograph the damage.

Blue tarp covering the damaged roof of a house after a tornado — Photo: Win Henderson / FEMA, Public domain

What 24/7 Express Handyman Service does on site

Spreading reinforced tarp sheeting over the damaged area and past the ridge so water runs off instead of under it.
Anchoring the tarp with wood battens screwed through the sheeting rather than loose ties alone.
Checking the attic or ceiling below for wet insulation and drips and setting out containment.

How it works

Assess from the ground and the attic first; no one climbs a wet, icy or wind-loaded roof.
Cut the tarp to cover the damage with generous overlap and roll its edges around battens.
Fasten the battens, check for gaps, and photograph the damage and the tarp for your records.
Referred out: shingle, underlayment and roof deck repair goes to a licensed roofing contractor.

When to stop and call

If water is dripping through a ceiling light or the ceiling is sagging, stay out of that room and switch off its breaker if you can reach the panel safely. 24/7 Express Handyman Service tarps the roof from outside; a licensed electrician should check any wet fixture.

What happens next

The written scope and price come first; the tarp is a stopgap that holds until a roofer makes the permanent repair.
Photograph the damage before anything is moved and keep every receipt; 24/7 Express Handyman Service provides an itemised invoice your insurer may ask for. The dispatch fee and job cost are paid by you on the day.

Every job 24/7 Express Handyman Service takes on is under $3,000 including labor, materials and any change orders (Utah Code §58-55-305); a change that would push a job over that line is referred to a licensed contractor, not written up as a second job. plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas appliance / combustion system work is referred to a licensed trade.

Sources

FEMA Tarps and USACE Blue Roofs Aid in Protecting Homes From Further Damage - FEMA — retrieved 2026-09-23

All sources