In the first hour of a roof emergency: get everyone away from sagging ceilings and wet wiring, catch the water, and photograph the damage. An emergency tarp typically costs $1.00–$2.80 per sq ft nationally, and emergency call-outs add about $200–$300, according to HomeGuide. Then get the roof covered and inspected.
Get a free roof inspection and quote
Your request goes to a local roofer in our network who will contact you about a free inspection and quote. Tell us about the roof once; a licensed and insured, local roofer will contact you within 24 hours.
Roofers Greenville is a free referral service. Roofing work is performed by independent contractors in our network. Submitting the form is free and doesn’t commit you to anything.
Tell us in the form that it’s an emergency. A roofer in our network will contact you within 24 hours. If anyone is hurt, a tree is on power lines or you smell gas, call 911 first.
What should you do right now?
- Stay safe. Keep people and pets out of rooms with a bulging or sagging ceiling. Don’t go on the roof, in the dark, in the rain or at all.
- Turn off power to wet areas at the breaker if you can do it safely, especially where water reaches light fittings or outlets.
- Catch the water. Buckets, towels and plastic sheeting; move furniture and electronics away.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling only if you can do it safely: a small hole at the lowest point, over a bucket, lets water drain before the ceiling gives way.
- Photograph everything inside and out, with the time, before anything is moved or repaired.
- Call your insurer to report the damage, and keep receipts for anything you spend to prevent further damage.
What if a tree falls on the roof?
Treat it as structural until someone qualified says otherwise. Hurricane Helene in September 2024 brought down trees across Greenville County, damaging many homes, according to the National Weather Service.
- Keep everyone out of rooms under the tree.
- Stay well away from any limb touching power lines and report it to your power company.
- A tree removal crew removes the tree; a roofer then tarps the opening and inspects the decking and rafters.
- Photograph the tree on the roof before it’s removed.
How much does emergency tarping cost, and how long does it hold?
HomeGuide puts emergency tarping at $1.00–$2.80 per sq ft, and emergency repairs carry a surcharge of about $200–$300 on top of normal rates. A properly fastened tarp, battened down over the damaged area and past the ridge, keeps water out until the roof can be repaired.
A tarp is temporary. Sun and wind wear it out, so ask the roofer how long they expect it to hold and book the permanent repair as soon as possible.
South Carolina law note: if your roof work may be paid by insurance, a contractor usually can’t take payment until your five-business-day cancellation period has passed, but emergency work you acknowledge in writing as needed to prevent further damage can be billed when it’s done (S.C. Code §40-59-25). See roof insurance claims in South Carolina.
What happens after the emergency?
- Inspection: once it’s dry and safe, a roofer inspects the full roof and documents the damage with photos.
- Decision: a repair for local damage, or a replacement if damage is widespread or the roof was already old. See roof repair and storm damage roof repair.
- Insurance: you file and negotiate your own claim using the roofer’s report.
- Interior: wet insulation and drywall need drying or replacing to prevent mold.
The full first-day checklist is in what to do after a storm damages your roof, and repair prices are in roof repair cost.
How it works with us
- Tell us about the roof. Fill in the short form once: the job, your ZIP code and how to reach you.
- A local roofer contacts you. Your request goes to a licensed and insured, local roofer in our network, who contacts you within 24 hours to set up a free inspection.
- You get a quote and decide. The inspection and quote are free, with no obligation. Check any roofer against our 5 checks before you sign.
Roofers Greenville is a free referral service. Roofing work is performed by independent contractors in our network. How our referral service works.
Areas we serve
- Greenville County core (within about 20 miles of Greenville): Greenville, Greer, Taylors, Mauldin, Simpsonville, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Travelers Rest, Easley and Piedmont.
- Rest of the Upstate (about 25–40 miles): Anderson, Belton, Clemson, Seneca, Pickens, Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Lyman, Moore, Campobello and Woodruff.
Every town, ZIP code and county we cover is on the service areas page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I put a tarp on my roof myself?
Only from a ladder on a low, dry roof, and only if you’re comfortable working at height. Falls are the bigger danger. A roofer can tarp it with battens fastened properly and check what’s underneath.
How fast can a roofer get here?
A roofer in our network will contact you within 24 hours of your request. Mention in the form that it’s an emergency, and call 911 if there’s any risk to people.
Water coming in? Request emergency roof help.
Sources
- HomeGuide: Roof repair cost (Feb 2026; tarping and emergency surcharge)
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg: Hurricane Helene impact narratives
- South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 59
Last reviewed: October 2026. Roofers Greenville is a free referral service; roofing work is performed by independent contractors in our network.