Board-up and tarping for Myers Park homes

Tudor Revival houses in Myers Park have steep gables, cross gables and tall chimneys, and Colonial Revival homes add dormers and hipped sections ^[6]. Water can find its way into every valley and joint, so tarps need generous overlaps and careful placement where roof planes meet.

On very steep slopes, a lift may be safer than a ladder. The crew plans the tarp so water runs off over it, not underneath.

Myers Park houses from the 1920s and 1930s often have leaded glass or steel casement windows. These are difficult to replace and often worth repairing. Board-up panels are fitted to the masonry opening and fastened to wood framing or bracing, not drilled into steel frames.

Broken leaded panels can be removed and stored for a glass restorer. Steel frames warped by heat are documented for repair or replacement.

Myers Park's tree canopy, especially the oaks along Queens Road, is one of its defining features ^[8]. A fire can scorch branches over a house, and weakened limbs may fall in later storms. Before roof work, crews check for hanging or damaged branches above the work area.

An arborist can assess heat-damaged trees. Removing dangerous limbs protects the tarp and the roof from further damage.

Thunderstorms in summer and the remains of tropical systems in late summer and fall can bring heavy rain to Charlotte. Plaster ceilings, paneling and hardwood floors in large older homes are hard to restore once soaked, so roof covers should go on as soon as safely possible.

The National Weather Service office in Greer posts forecasts for the area ^[5]. Tarps should be checked after each storm.

Myers Park appears on the National Register ^[7]. Parts may also fall within a local historic district, where exterior changes may need review. Temporary board-up after a fire is generally accepted, but permanent changes to windows, roofing or doors may need approval.

The Myers Park page lists agencies that may be involved.

Many Myers Park homes have paneled rooms, plaster moldings, antiques and art. After openings are covered, valuable contents should be moved away from wet or damaged areas, or covered with plastic.

Our firefighting water damage in Myers Park page explains drying large homes.

Photos of each opening before and after board-up, receipts and dates help your adjuster. The North Carolina Department of Insurance provides guidance for homeowners on claims ^[1].

The what to do after a house fire guide lists other first steps.

Tall brick chimneys, copper valleys and copper gutters are common on older Myers Park houses. A fire near a chimney can loosen flashing and crack the crown, and firefighters may have cut through gutters or flashing to reach the fire. These joints are where rain gets in first.

Temporary covers should lap over the loosened flashing so water runs off rather than behind it. Copper pieces that were bent but not burned are worth setting aside for the roofer, who can often reshape or reuse them.