24/7 emergency restoration
Emergency board-up and roof tarping
An open building takes on weather and invites theft. Securing it is the first job after a fire, a storm, a break-in or a vehicle impact.
- IICRC Certified Firm
- $5 million insured
- One team, emergency to rebuild
Before we arrive
Do this now
- 1Stay clear of broken glass and unstable structure.
- 2Do not try to tarp a roof yourself in the dark or in bad weather.
- 3Remove valuables and documents if the building is safe to enter.
- 4Take photos before anything is covered.
If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas or see sparking, leave the building and call 911 first.
Callback about board-up and tarping
Leave a name and number and a person calls you back. For an active emergency, phone us instead.
Why securing the building comes first
A building with a hole in it gets worse quickly. Rain and snow enter. Heat escapes and pipes can freeze. Animals move in. An obviously damaged, empty property also attracts theft and vandalism. Each of these adds a second loss on top of the first.
Insurance policies reflect this. They generally require the owner to take reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage after a loss, and the cost of doing so is normally recoverable as part of a covered claim. Damage that happens because the building was left open can be disputed.
Board-up and tarping are temporary by design. The aim is to make the building weathertight and secure in a single visit, using methods that do not add to the repair bill, and to leave it stable until permanent work is approved and scheduled. After a fire, securing the site may also be required by the fire department or the municipality.
What to expect on the first visit
A board-up is normally a single visit, and it starts with a walk around the outside to see every opening and every hazard: broken glass, hanging debris, damaged wiring, anything unstable. Photographs are taken before anything is covered, because once the plywood is up the damage is hidden, and your insurer will want to see it.
Openings are then measured and covered. Windows and doors are boarded so that the building is secure but the frames are not damaged further. Roof openings are covered with heavy tarps fastened to withstand wind and positioned so that water runs off them. Where a wall or support has been damaged, temporary shoring goes in first. If you still need access, one entrance is fitted with a lockable temporary door, and you are told how the building has been secured and what to watch for.
Before leaving, the crew checks the inside for anything that will get worse while the building waits: standing water, a ceiling holding water, or heating that is off in freezing weather.
What we do, in order
- 01
Assess
We check what is open, what is unstable and what needs protecting first.
- 02
Board openings
Windows, doors and wall openings are secured with plywood fixed in a way that limits further damage to frames.
- 03
Tarp the roof
Reinforced tarps are fastened over damaged roof sections.
- 04
Secure the site
Temporary fencing or shoring where the situation calls for it.
When emergency protection is needed
- After a fire
- Windows broken by heat or by firefighters, burnt doors, and holes cut in the roof for ventilation.
- After a storm
- Missing shingles, punctured roofs, blown-in windows and damaged siding.
- After a break-in
- Forced doors and broken glass that leave the property unsecured overnight.
- Vehicle impact
- A car or truck through a wall or storefront, often with structural damage that needs temporary support.
- Vacant property during a claim
- A home that will be empty for weeks or months while repairs are approved.
- Vandalism
- Broken glass and damaged entrances at homes and commercial premises.
What the work involves
| Windows | Covered with plywood cut to fit, fixed so as to limit damage to the frame. |
|---|---|
| Doors | Boarded, or fitted with a temporary lockable door where access is still needed. |
| Roof openings | Covered with heavy tarps secured against wind, extended past the ridge where possible so water sheds over them. |
| Wall openings | Framed and sheathed temporarily. Shored first if the structure is compromised. |
| Site | Temporary fencing where there is a hazard to the public. |
| Utilities | Coordination with the gas and hydro utilities where services were damaged or disconnected. |
How long it takes
Completed in a single visit in most cases. The protection stays until permanent repairs are made.
Insurance
Emergency protection carried out to prevent further damage is normally recoverable as part of a covered claim. Keep the invoice and your photos.
This is general information, not advice on your policy. How restoration claims work.
Mistakes to avoid
Waiting for daylight or the adjuster. Weather and intruders do not wait. Photograph the damage, then have it secured.
Using household tarps and bricks. Light tarps tear and lift in the first strong wind, and loose weights become a hazard.
Entering an unstable structure. After a fire or impact, floors, ceilings and walls may not be safe. Stay out until it has been assessed.
Forgetting about winter. If the heat is off in cold weather, the plumbing needs to be drained or the building kept above freezing.
Questions worth asking any contractor
Whoever you hire, including us, should be able to answer these plainly.
- Is the building safe to go into to collect belongings?
- How have the openings been fixed, and will that damage the frames?
- Who should I call if a board or tarp comes loose?
- Does the heat need to stay on, or should the plumbing be drained?
- Will your photos and invoice be enough for my insurer?
- Can you leave one door usable so that the adjuster and trades can get in?
Looking after a secured property
- Tell your insurer if the property will be empty, and ask what conditions apply during vacancy.
- Check the building regularly, and always after strong wind, heavy rain or snow.
- Keep heat on in winter or have the water system drained.
- Remove valuables, documents and anything irreplaceable.
- Let neighbours know who to call if they see a problem.
- Keep the site tidy. Debris and an abandoned look attract trespassers.
- IICRC Certified FirmRegistered with the restoration industry's standards body
- IICRC-certified techniciansTrained to the published standards for water, fire and mold work
- Ontario asbestos abatement worker training for Type 3 operationsThe approved training for the highest-risk class of asbestos work
- Liability insurance$5 million coverage with Intact Insurance
- WSIB coverageClearance certificate on request
- 24/7 responseEvery day of the year
Emergency Board-Up and Tarping: common questions
How long can a tarp stay on the roof?
A properly fastened tarp is a temporary measure meant to last weeks, not seasons. It should be checked after high winds and replaced by permanent repairs as soon as practical.
Can you board up a commercial storefront?
Yes. Storefront glass, entry doors and overhead doors can be secured the same visit.
Is board-up covered by insurance?
Emergency measures to protect the property after a covered loss are normally included in the claim. Keep the invoice and your photographs and report the loss as soon as you can.
How long can a building stay boarded up?
As long as needed, provided it is checked. Plywood holds for months. Tarps are shorter-lived and should be inspected after strong winds and heavy snow.
Will boarding up damage my window frames?
Done properly, very little. Boards are fixed in ways that avoid or minimise new holes in finished surfaces, and any fastener marks are dealt with during the repair.
Do I need to be there?
It helps for the first visit, so that you can confirm what needs securing and collect anything essential. If you cannot be present, access and authorisation can be arranged by phone.
Does a boarded-up property affect my insurance?
Tell your insurer if the property will be vacant. Many policies limit or change coverage after a period of vacancy, and they may set conditions such as regular inspections.
Can I board up the house myself?
You can cover a single ground-floor window with plywood if it is safe to do so. Leave roof work, upper floors, large openings and anything involving structural damage or broken glass at height to people with the right equipment. Photograph the damage before you cover it.
What if the fire department or the city orders the property secured?
After a fire, or where a building is open and unsafe, authorities can require the owner to secure it promptly. Tell us what you have been told and by whom, and keep any written notice for your insurer.
How soon can permanent repairs replace the boards?
Once the insurer has inspected and approved the scope, and windows, doors or roofing materials are available. Custom windows and doors often have the longest lead times, which is why temporary protection needs to be done properly.
Emergency Board-Up and Tarping by city
- Toronto
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Hamilton
- Vaughan
- Markham
- Oakville
- Burlington
- Milton
- Kitchener
- Cambridge
- Guelph
- North York
- Scarborough
- Etobicoke
- East York
- Caledon
- Bolton
- Richmond Hill
- Thornhill
- Unionville
- Woodbridge
- Maple
- Kleinburg
- Concord
- Aurora
- Newmarket
- Stouffville
- King City
- East Gwillimbury
- Georgina
- Keswick
- Sutton
- Halton Hills
- Georgetown
- Acton
- Pickering
- Ajax
- Whitby
- Oshawa
- Clarington
- Bowmanville
- Uxbridge
- Scugog
- Port Perry
- Brock
- Beaverton
- Cannington
- Stoney Creek
- Ancaster
- Dundas
- Flamborough
- Grimsby
- Lincoln
- Beamsville
- West Lincoln
- St. Catharines
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Niagara Falls
- Thorold
- Welland
- Pelham
- Port Colborne
- Wainfleet
- Fort Erie
- Waterloo
- Woolwich
- Wilmot
- Wellesley
- North Dumfries
- Centre Wellington
- Guelph/Eramosa
- Puslinch
- Erin
- Mapleton
- Minto
- Wellington North
- Brantford
- Paris
- Barrie
- Innisfil
- Bradford West Gwillimbury
- New Tecumseth
- Alliston
- Essa
- Springwater
- Clearview
- Stayner
- Collingwood
- Wasaga Beach
- Orillia
- Severn
- Midland
- Penetanguishene
- Tiny
- Tay
- Orangeville
- Shelburne
- Mono
- Woodstock
- Ingersoll
- Tillsonburg
- London
- Adelaide Metcalfe
- Peterborough
- Cobourg
Damage does not wait for business hours. Neither do we.
Call any time. If you would prefer we call you, request a callback.