When disaster strikes, whether from a violent storm, unexpected fire, or a sudden act of vandalism, your property can be left vulnerable to further damage and intrusion. The initial moments after such events are critical, and emergency tarping and board-up services in Des Moines provide the immediate protection your home or business needs to prevent escalating destruction.
According to FEMA, every dollar spent on hazard mitigation saves an average of six dollars in future disaster recovery. Emergency tarping and board-up efforts are among the most cost-effective ways to mitigate damage and protect your investment. But more than just placing a tarp or hammering plywood, this process involves strategic assessment, proper materials, and professional execution to ensure safety and insurance compliance.
In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect from these services, how they’re performed, when they’re necessary, and why acting fast can make a major difference in your recovery timeline.
What are Emergency Tarping & Board-Up Services?
Emergency tarping and board-up services in Des Moines are immediate, temporary actions undertaken after property damage to protect your home or business.
When a storm rips off roofs, a fire blows out windows, or vandalism takes place, the open interior can be impacted by the elements, rainfall, snow, wind, and debris, as well as theft by humans or animals (rodents or insects). Emergency tarp and board-up teams respond temporarily to curb this damage until permanent repairs can be made.
1. Prevent Water Damage & Weather Damage
Sightings of open roofs or broken windows create opportunities for rain, snow, or wind-driven debris to cause interior damage to your home. A tarp provides an immediate layer of protection, and a board-up provides internal coverage against weather elements.
2. Stop Crime, Vandalism & Liability
Once a property is opened up, it is often viewed as an easy target for criminal activity. Boarding up your property prevents easy access and protects the homeowner against liability if an unauthorized person falls or injures themselves on the open exterior with unsecured openings.
3. Helping with Insurance Claims
Insurance policies also require a policyholder to take steps to mitigate or reduce further damage after an event. By implementing immediate protective measures, the policyholder increases their chances of complying with this section of the policy and decreases the likelihood of having their claim denied for secondary damage, such as mold, if mitigation isn’t started promptly.
4. Allow for Faster Reconstruction
FEMA states that prompt protective actions save on recovery costs over time (fema.gov). Once the property is stabilized, reconstruction can begin promptly, often saving weeks, if not tens of thousands of dollars, in delays.
Also Read: Water Mitigation vs. Restoration: Key Differences and Why Both Matter
Common Emergency Board-Up & Tarping Process
Rainbow International of Des Moines utilizes the following standard five-step process:
1. Immediate Arrival
We are available 24/7 to dispatch our team to your property in Des Moines promptly. Responding the same day allows us to start the mitigation work and help reduce damage and escalation.
2. Timely Assessment of Damages
Our technicians assess the damage and evaluate areas of the building with damaged openings or weather penetration (roof areas, windows, doors, etc.). Specific notes on the structural integrity of the building, such as distorted walls and missing skylights, are useful in creating the protection plan.
3. Tarping Roof Exposures
When we tarp roof exposures, we use heavy-duty, weather-rated tarps affixed to the roof structure to keep rain out until permanent roofing can be installed.
4. Board-Up Vulnerable Access
Plywood is cut, sized, and affixed to damaged areas such as broken windows, doors, or walls.
5. Hazard and Debris Clean-Up
We monitor the areas we’re working in. Debris, broken glass, and hazardous materials are disposed of during the installation phase to eliminate tripping hazards and maintain a safe entry and exit.
6. Collect Evidence
Along with several photographs and timestamped notes, we invoice for materials obtained for the board-up or tarping. This provides evidence of mitigation in case the insurance adjuster investigates.
7. Liaison with Reconstruction Team
Our team collaborates with the reconstruction teams to ensure a smooth transition from temporary protection to full restoration.
When Is This Service Needed?
You’ll need emergency tarp and board-up in Des Moines when you experience:
- Severe storms that cause structural damage
- House fires that damage windows, doors, or roofs.
- Vandalism or burglary that breaches an entrance
- Tree damage from storms that puncture roofs
- Roof failures due to age or wear
What Makes Rainbow International of Des Moines Better?
- Local – We know all too well how unpredictable Iowa weather and local building codes can be
- Rapid – We can mobilize within hours of your call and operate 24/7
- Professional – IICRC certified teams and licensed general contractors
- Full Insurance Help – We help you with documentation and offer direct billing with your insurer.
- Good Supplies – Heavy-duty tarps, storm-rated boards, fire-rated seals
- Smooth Transition – Our repair team picks up right where we leave off, no delays, no gaps
Customer Quotes:
"When a tornado blew our roof off, Rainbow International of Des Moines arrived on the site in less than four hours. They got it tarped up, documented it all, and coordinated with the insurance company, saving us weeks of hassle."
"Our upstairs windows were blown out in a fire. They boarded everything down tight, and I never worried about anything getting stolen while we figured out a reconstruction."
Conclusion- Schedule Emergency Tarping & Board-up Immediately After Disaster Strikes
Emergency tarp and board-up services are much more than a stop-gap; they are a strategic first step in protecting your home and preparing for recovery. By providing immediate stability, you secure your property, enhance your chances of a better insurance claim, and buy vital time until full restoration begins.
Rainbow International of Des Moines provides disaster restoration in Des Moines with full-service capabilities, from emergency tarping and board-up through rebuilding and finishing. Our certified professionals offer 24/7 fast, effective emergency protection for your health, property, and peace of mind.
Whether the damage was caused by storms, fire, or vandalism, our crews are ready to quickly secure your home, document your mitigation efforts, and begin the restoration process. Rainbow International is here to protect your home and your future. Contact us today to schedule your property boarding and restoration service.
