Emergency Roof Tarping Glossary
Plain definitions of the terms that come up in emergency roof tarping. This reference is written for homeowners, property managers, adjusters, and carrier vendor managers who want to understand what each term means in practice.
- Non-Destructive Tarping
- A method of securing a protective tarp over a damaged roof using weight and friction rather than fasteners. No nails, screws, or staples pass through the shingles or the roof deck. The goal is to hold the tarp firmly while leaving the roof surface intact.How Roof Tarping Works
- TarpBags®
- Weighted anchor bags that hold a tarp in place along its perimeter and seams. TarpBags® distribute holding force across the tarp without concentrating stress at nail points, which keeps the roof deck intact. Crews choose between TarpBags® and sandbags based on the job and logistics.TarpBags® Technology
- Sandbags
- Filled bags used as weighted anchors to hold a tarp in position. Like TarpBags®, sandbags secure the tarp through weight rather than penetration. Both are valid anchor types, and crews select the option that fits the roof and the conditions on site.Our Tarping Method
- Furring Strips
- Lengths of dimensional lumber, typically 1x4 or 2x4, laid around the tarp perimeter at regular intervals. The tarp edges are wrapped around the strips to create a rigid barrier that spreads holding force along the edge and stops wind from lifting the tarp at a corner.Our Tarping Method
- CAT (Catastrophe) Response
- The coordinated deployment of crews and equipment to an area affected by a major storm event. CAT response involves monitoring the forecast, staging resources near the expected impact zone, and moving in as soon as conditions are safe to begin tarping at volume.Catastrophe Response Teams
- Cycle Time
- The elapsed time across the phases of a tarping job, measured from the first notice of loss through installation and documentation delivery. Cycle time is tracked in phases so each step can be benchmarked and improved rather than measured as a single number.Cycle Time Benchmarks for Emergency Tarping
- Dispatch Time vs. Response Time
- Dispatch time is when a crew is assigned to a job. Response time is when the crew physically arrives on site. These are two separate measurements, and mixing them hides the number that matters most for the property owner and secondary damage exposure, which is arrival on site.Cycle Time Benchmarks for Emergency Tarping
- Xactimate Line Items
- The standardized codes used to estimate tarping work, such as the primary tarp installation code, the steep slope addition, and tarp removal. Each code describes a specific portion of the work so the scope can be documented consistently for an estimate.Xactimate Line Items for Emergency Tarping
- Temporary Roof Protection
- A short-term measure that shields a damaged roof from water intrusion until permanent repairs can be made. Tarping is a form of temporary roof protection. It is meant to buy time and limit further damage, not to serve as a lasting fix.How Roof Tarping Works
- Tarp Lifespan
- How long a tarp is expected to stay effective once installed. A tarp is a temporary measure, and how long it holds up varies case by case with the tarp material, the quality of the installation, and the weather it faces. Because a tarp is temporary, permanent repair should follow as soon as it can be arranged.How Roof Tarping Works
Need emergency roof tarping now?
Our crews respond fast with a non-destructive method that protects your roof without nails.
Call (833) 365-TARP