We Stop the Water First, Then Talk About the Repair
When a storm opens your roof, the priority is not a quote. It is stopping water from reaching your ceilings, insulation and belongings. We tarp fast across Indianapolis and the surrounding metro, document everything for your insurance claim, and only then talk about the permanent repair.
Serving Indianapolis and the surrounding metro from 1401 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
What to do in the next 10 minutes
- 1If water is anywhere near light fixtures, ceiling fans or outlets, shut off power to that part of the house at the breaker.
- 2Move furniture, electronics and anything with value out from under the leak. Put a bin under the drip and a towel under the bin.
- 3If a ceiling is bulging with trapped water, put a bucket under it and pierce the centre with a screwdriver. Releasing it in one controlled spot beats a whole ceiling coming down.
- 4Photograph and video everything before you clean up, including the water on the floor and the time on your phone.
- 5Stay off the roof. Wet shingles and storm debris put more people in hospital than the original leak ever would.
- 6Call us at (219) 221-9617. Tell us where the water is showing and we will talk you through it while a crew heads out.
Tarping Is Damage Control, Not a Repair, and That Distinction Matters
A roof tarp is a temporary weather barrier. Done properly it is anchored above the damage, run over the ridge where possible, and secured so wind cannot get underneath and turn it into a sail. Done badly it traps water, tears loose in the next gust, or puts hundreds of new fastener holes through sound shingles. We install tarps so that the temporary fix does not become its own claim.
The reason we move fast is not sales pressure. Water that sits finds its way into decking, insulation and drywall, and mould can establish in a day or two in an Indiana summer. Every hour a roof stays open, the eventual repair gets bigger and the insurance conversation gets more complicated. Tarping stops the clock.
Once the building is dry, we carry out a full assessment and give you a straight answer about what the roof actually needs. Sometimes that is a targeted repair. Sometimes it is a replacement. We will tell you which, and we will show you the photographs that led us there.
What an Emergency Tarp Call Involves
We stop the water first
Crews carry tarps, battens and fasteners sized for full roof sections, not hardware-store sheeting. The tarp goes on before anyone discusses scope or price.
We document as we go
Photographs of the damage, the debris, the interior water path and the tarp itself, timestamped. This is the evidence your adjuster will ask for.
We check the inside too
A roof opening usually shows up in the attic before the ceiling. We look at decking, insulation and the water path so nothing gets missed.
We give you the honest scope
After the tarp, a full assessment and a clear repair-or-replace recommendation with the photos to back it up.
What emergency tarping costs, and who usually pays
Emergency tarping is priced on roof area, pitch, height and how much of the roof needs covering. Nationally, a basic emergency tarp during an active storm commonly runs in the region of a few hundred dollars, with larger or steeper roofs priced by the square foot. We will give you the number before we start, not after.
Here is the part most homeowners do not know: most property policies place a duty on you to prevent further damage after a loss. Reasonable emergency measures such as tarping are therefore often covered, and failing to act can complicate the rest of the claim. Keep every receipt and every photograph. Coverage still depends on your carrier and your specific policy, so check yours or ask your agent.
Why Indianapolis roofs end up under tarps
Central Indiana takes the full severe-weather cycle. Hail is the most common cause of roof insurance claims in the state, and 2026 alone brought golf-ball hail across central Indiana in spring and 1.25 inch hail near Indianapolis in June. Straight-line wind and derecho events between May and August strip ridge caps and starter courses, and downed limbs punch through decking. We tarp across Marion County and the surrounding metro, from Speedway and Beech Grove to Carmel, Fishers, Greenwood, Avon and Plainfield.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you get a tarp on my roof?
We run emergency response around the clock and prioritise active water intrusion. Call (219) 221-9617 and we will tell you honestly when a crew can be there, including if another job means it will be longer than you want to hear.
Will a tarp hold until the repair?
A properly installed tarp is a short-term measure meant to hold for weeks, not months. It gets you safely through the claim and scheduling process. We monitor it and re-secure it if another storm moves through before the permanent work.
Can I just tarp it myself?
You can, and for a small area on a low-pitch roof some people do. The two things that go wrong are falls and fastening. An improperly anchored tarp comes off in the next wind event and the new holes leak. If the roof is steep, high, or wet, please do not go up.
Does tarping damage my roof further?
Not when it is anchored correctly. Fasteners go through the tarp and battens into sound structure above the damaged area, and we account for how the tarp will be removed. Careless tarping absolutely can cause damage, which is why the method matters.
Do you tarp commercial and flat roofs?
Yes. Low-slope membrane roofs need a different approach, usually patching and temporary sealing at the failure point rather than a conventional tarp. See our commercial roof repair page or call and describe what you are seeing.
Talk to a Roofer Now
- Phone: (219) 221-9617
- Email: inquery@alphaholisticroofing.com
- Office: 1st Floor, Office 103, 1401 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
- Hours: Mon to Sat 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with emergency response outside those hours