Temporary repairs
Emergency Roof Tarping
When there's too much damage to fix on the day, or it's still raining, a tarp or temporary cover keeps the water out until the proper repair. Insurers usually pay for it: keep the receipt.
Tell us in 3 taps and one local roofer rings you back, 6am to 7pm, seven days a week.
Free, no obligation. One local roofer rings you back, 6am to 7pm, seven days a week.
Too big to fix today
- A large area of slates or tiles gone, or a section of felt torn away.
- A tree or branch through the roof.
- A flat roof with the felt lifted off.
- Rain forecast before the materials for the real repair can be got.
A tarp that stays on
A tarp thrown over and weighed down with blocks blows off in the next gust and can take more slates with it. A roofer fixes it over the ridge where possible, battens the edges down, and keeps it clear of gutters so water runs off rather than under.
It's a stopgap measured in days or weeks, not a winter. Book the permanent repair at the same time. Take photos before the cover goes on, so the damage can be proven later.
Water coming in? Do this first
- Stay safe. Don't go on the roof or up a ladder in wind or rain. Keep clear of anything hanging loose.
- Catch the water. Buckets under drips, move what you can, and switch off lights or sockets near the wet.
- Take photos and video of the damage inside and out, close up and wide, once it's safe.
- Get a roofer out for a temporary repair, and keep every receipt. Insurers usually pay for temporary repairs.
- Tell your insurer as soon as you can.
Roof jobs we pass on
Storm damageSlates off, ridge loose, flashing lifted. €600 to €3,000+.More on storm damage →
Roof leaksFinding where the water really gets in. €300 to €900.More on roof leaks →
Slipped slates and tilesRefixed or replaced before the wind lifts the next. €350 to €1,100.More on slipped slates and tiles →
Chimney and flashingLead, soakers and back gutters. €650 to €2,500.More on chimney and flashing →
Gutters after a stormDown, loose or overflowing, and the damp it causes.More on gutters after a storm →Every area and town we cover
- Louth49,332 households
- Meath72,549 households
- Monaghan22,855 households
- Cavan28,776 households
- North Dublin107,599 households
- DundalkCo. Louth
- DroghedaCo. Louth
- ArdeeCo. Louth
- NavanCo. Meath
- AshbourneCo. Meath
- TrimCo. Meath
- KellsCo. Meath
- Monaghan townCo. Monaghan
- CarrickmacrossCo. Monaghan
- CastleblayneyCo. Monaghan
- ClonesCo. Monaghan
- Cavan townCo. Cavan
- VirginiaCo. Cavan
- BailieboroughCo. Cavan
- CootehillCo. Cavan
- Swordsnorth Dublin
- Balbriggannorth Dublin
- Malahidenorth Dublin
- Skerriesnorth Dublin
What's happened
Tell us what's happened in 3 taps
Tap what's wrong and leave your number. It goes to one roofing company that covers your area, and they ring you back, 6am to 7pm, seven days a week.
Questions people ask
Can I put a tarp on myself?
Not on a pitched roof in wind. If you can reach a flat or low roof safely from a ladder with someone holding it, a weighted tarp can do for a night. Otherwise leave it to the roofer.
How long can a tarp stay on?
Days or a few weeks. Wind and sun break it down, and it can lift. Treat it as temporary.
Roof damaged? Tell us in 3 taps
One local roofer rings you back, 6am to 7pm, seven days a week. Free, no obligation.