After a major storm, your home’s roof may be left with holes or missing shingles that can lead to leaks. You may have to wait for roofing repairs or replacement, especially if other homes in your area were affected. To stay dry in the meantime, you can learn how to tarp a roof with just a few affordable roof repair materials and tools—but don’t worry because using a roof tarp is a temporary measure and you can remove it when you’re ready for roof repairs.
Safely Prepping to Tarp a Roof
Before taking steps to tarp your roof, ensure that you’re doing so safely. Roofing work is dangerous, especially after a destructive storm. Conditions may be slippery and debris can present a tripping hazard. Extremely damaged roofs may even collapse under your weight.
If you don’t have proper training and a safety harness, it’s best to wait for a pro and take other steps to prepare for a roof replacement or repairs. If you do have the experience and equipment you need, you should still take these additional steps for your safety:
Never tarp a roof during a storm, during strong winds, or while it’s raining.
Wear personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, long sleeves and pants, and sturdy, soft-soled boots.
Have at least two experienced assistants tohold the ladder and help you handle the tarp, which can be heavy and unwieldy for one person.
Never step or stand on the tarp, as it can be slippery.
Assess the Damage and Take Photos
Photo: benschonewille / Adobe Stock
With an assistant holding it steady, climb your ladder to view the damage on your roof. Stepping directly onto your roof can be dangerous and may cause additional damage, so assess from the safety of your ladder. Look closely for broken shingles and use a camera, smartphone, or drone to take photos for your roof damage insurance claim.
Your DIY efforts may need to end here if you don’t have the proper safety training and harness equipment. If you’re unable to take photos of the full extent of the damage, have your roofers take additional photos when they arrive to lay a tarp. Otherwise, proceed to step two.
Remove Debris
Carefully step onto your roof and use a broom to slowly clear away branches, leaves, rubble, loose shingles, nails, and other debris from the roof. Work in sections and be mindful not to push any debris into your gutters.
Cover Large Holes
Use your plywood sheets to cover any large holes, securing them by drilling screws through the board and into your shingles. This will create a flat surface for the tarp to sit on so water does not pool in the hole.
Measure the Area and Select a Tarp
To ensure you buy the right tarp or tarps for the job, use a tape measure to carefully calculate the approximate length and width of the damaged areas.
The tarp you choose should be able to cover the entire damaged area with three feet of excess on all sides, plus enough length to hang over the peak of your roof by four feet. This will prevent water from getting underneath the lip of the tarp.
Cut Holes for Chimneys and Vents
If the damage on your roof is near features such as chimneys or plumbing vents, account for these when measuring and cut a hole for them to stick up through your tarp. Blocking vents or chimneys can create a safety hazard.
Unfurl and Position the Tarp
With the help of your assistants, unfurl the tarp and position it over the damaged area. One end should hang four feet over the peak, while the other end can hang safely over the roof’s edge.
Secure the Anchor Board
To anchor the tarp and prevent it from flapping or ripping, you’ll secure it horizontally to the side hanging over the roof peak.
Leaving one foot of lumber sticking out on either end of the tarp’s width, roll a batten under the tarp using an overhand motion. Make at least two rotations for a tight, clean fit. This creates a surface for water and debris to roll off of rather than pooling. Nail through the board into the roof decking with nails every two feet.
Secure the Tarp
Space your batten boards six feet apart horizontally across the rest of the tarp, with a batten on either perimeter edge. The battens should run vertically down the roof’s slope so rainwater can run along them. Nail them down as you did the anchor board. Don’t nail any battens into valleys.
Alternatively, you can use adhesive if you’re concerned about nails or screws possibly damaging your roof. Some roof tarps have built-in adhesive for this purpose.
Tape Down Areas Near Roof Features
If you had vents or other features that required you to cut holes in the tarp, use high-quality butyl tape to create a watertight seal around these areas.
DIY Roof Tarping vs. Hiring a Pro
While you can tarp your roof as a DIY project, some homeowners may not have the skills and experience to do so confidently, safely, or effectively. For example, if you aren’t comfortable getting up on the roof, you can bring in a pro. Hiring a nearby roof repair company is a better solution in most cases, and doing so will provide a reliable temporary solution while you wait for proper repairs or a full replacement.
Tarping doesn’t take much time for a pro roofing team to complete, and may be included in the cost of roof repairs if you choose to hire the same roofers for both projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should tarp a roof whenever roof damage occurs. Missing shingles and holes in your roof can cause roof leaks and problems that come with them. Tarping is a quick way to provide temporary roof protection while you wait for a professional roofer to make repairs.
You can leave a tarp of a roof for up to 90 days if installed correctly. Tarping a roof is only a temporary measure and should not be a substitute for roofing repair or replacement.
The best kind of tarp for a roof is one that will stand up to the elements, weather, and sun. Viny roof tarps are known for their durability and resistance to water, tears, and mold—making these tarps a good choice for use in winter conditions and the summer sun. Polyethylene tarps are also quite durable and waterproof.
Nick has been a copywriter in the home services industry since 2017, marketing for hundreds of flooring and home improvement providers throughout North America.
Nick has been a copywriter in the home services industry since 2017, marketing for hundreds of flooring and home improvement providers throughout North America.
Keith Jacob is the president and CEO of Integrous Roofing & Restoration Inc. in Littleton, Colorado. For more than 13 years, he has specialized in roofing and gutters services, including painting, windows, siding, and hail and wind damage claims.
Keith Jacob is the president and CEO of Integrous Roofing & Restoration Inc. in Littleton, Colorado. For more than 13 years, he has specialized in roofing and gutters services, including painting, windows, siding, and hail and wind damage claims.
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