Emergency Roof Tarping Referrals in Reno, NV

After wind, a fallen limb, or an active opening in the roof, Reno Nevada Roofs can refer you to licensed local roofers for emergency drying-in and tarping. We are a referral service, not a crew, and we do not promise a set arrival time.

What counts as an emergency

An open roof, active interior leaking, a tree on the structure, or missing covering after a storm — situations where the house will take more water if nothing is done.

Safety

Avoid downed power lines. Do not walk collapsed or wet decking. Leave temporary dry-in to a licensed contractor unless you are only protecting the interior from the ground.

Temporary dry-in vs. permanent repair

A tarp or temporary dry-in is not the finished repair. The same or another licensed contractor should return with a proper scope. For City of Reno events, the City also offers an online Damage Assessment request (the official permits page listed an $81 fee as of a November 11, 2026 fetch; confirm if the City changes it) at reno.gov building permits.

Insurance photos

Photograph the damage from the ground before and after a tarp if you can do so safely. Then notify your insurer. See storm and insurance and the after-storm guide.

What a licensed temporary dry-in usually involves

A temporary dry-in is meant to keep water out until a permanent repair can be scoped and scheduled. Depending on the damage, a licensed roofer may cover the opening with a heavy tarp or membrane, secure it to framing or battens so wind cannot get under it, and route water off the roof rather than into a valley that is already damaged. On tile roofs, they may need to remove and set aside tiles to secure the cover. A tarp that is only weighed down with a few bricks, or nailed through an undamaged area, can cause new leaks in the next gust.

Ask the contractor what they will do, what they will charge for the temporary work, and whether that charge is credited toward a permanent repair if you hire them. Get it in writing, even if it is a short text or email.

Wind is the usual trigger here

Washoe County identifies the area as a special wind region with a 120 mph ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category II buildings (Washoe design requirements), and the Cloudbreak compilation of NOAA / NWS records lists 14 recorded high-wind days with gusts up to 77 mph. Missing shingles, lifted ridge caps, and fallen limbs after a windstorm are the most common reasons people search for an emergency tarp in Reno. Wind also keeps working on a loose tarp, so check it after the next gusty day and call the contractor if it has shifted.

Before and after photos for insurance

If you may file a claim, take photos before anything is covered: the damaged area from the ground, the debris in the yard, and any interior water. Then ask the contractor to photograph the opening before they install the tarp and the finished tarp afterward. Keep receipts for temporary work. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage; read your policy and talk to your insurer about what they need. Our storm and insurance page walks through the claim process, and the after-storm guide has a printable checklist.

City of Reno damage assessment

After a damaging event, the City of Reno offers an online Damage Assessment request on its building permits page; the fee was listed at $81 when we checked on November 11, 2026. Confirm the current fee and process on that page. If you are outside the City of Reno, ask your own building department.

From temporary to permanent

A tarp is not a repair. Once the roof is dry-in, the next steps are a licensed inspection of the damaged area, a written repair or replacement scope, and any required permit, which the residential contractor obtains (NRS 624.970). Check the license in the NSCB search before you sign for the permanent work, especially if the company found you rather than the other way around. See roof repair and leak repair for what comes next.

Fallen trees and limbs

If a tree or large limb is on the roof, the roofer may not be the first call. Tree removal may need an arborist or tree service, and a damaged structure may need a structural assessment before anyone works on it. Keep people out of rooms under the damage until it is assessed.

Frequently asked questions

On the form, set urgency to “active leak / emergency.”