Emergency Board-Up & Tarping
A fire-damaged structure left open to the weather invites a second round of damage. Get connected with crews who secure it fast.
Firefighters sometimes have to break windows, cut roof openings for ventilation, or force doors to fight a fire safely — necessary in the moment, but it leaves the structure exposed once they've left. Board-up and tarping closes that gap until permanent repairs can begin.
Requests from Westerville, Genoa Township, Orange Township and the surrounding Franklin and Delaware County area are routed to crews who can respond quickly, since an unsecured property is vulnerable to weather, animals and unwanted entry with every hour that passes.
What Gets Boarded Up or Tarped, and Why It's Urgent
Broken windows and doors get boarded with plywood to secure the property and deter entry. Roof openings — whether from the fire itself or from ventilation cuts made during firefighting — get tarped to keep out rain and snow until roofing repairs can happen.
In Central Ohio, timing matters: a tarped roof or boarded window left exposed through a heavy rain event, or through a hard winter freeze, can lead to frozen pipes, additional water intrusion and secondary damage that compounds the original fire loss.
- Plywood board-up for broken windows and damaged doors
- Roof tarping over fire or ventilation damage
- Temporary fencing or securing for larger commercial losses
- Follow-up checks after severe weather until permanent repairs begin
Board-Up Isn't Only a Fire Service
Central Ohio's spring and summer storm season brings damaging straight-line wind and occasional hail that can break windows or compromise a roof independent of any fire, and the same board-up and tarping response applies to that kind of storm damage while permanent repairs are arranged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does board-up need to happen after a fire?
As soon as it's safe to do so. An open structure is exposed to weather and unauthorized entry immediately, and most insurance policies expect reasonable steps to prevent further damage, which board-up and tarping directly address.
Is board-up covered by homeowners insurance?
Many policies cover reasonable emergency measures taken to prevent further damage after a covered loss, but coverage specifics vary. Keeping documentation and receipts, and contacting your insurer promptly, are good practices regardless of policy details.
Will board-up and tarping be enough, or do I still need a roofer?
Board-up and tarping are temporary measures meant to protect the structure until permanent repairs — roofing, window replacement, structural work — can be scheduled. They aren't a substitute for those permanent repairs.
Can board-up be done in bad weather?
In most cases, yes — board-up and tarping are exactly the kind of work that needs to happen despite rain, wind or snow, since delaying it is what allows weather to cause additional damage in the first place. Crews generally prioritize this type of call during active storm conditions.
Secure the Structure Before Weather Adds to the Damage
Board-up and tarping buy time until permanent repairs can start.
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