How To Tarp A Shingle Roof
If you are looking for a short-term solution for fixing a leaky roof, then installing a tarp is your most practical option. A tarp is not a replacement for real repairs done by a roofing contractor, but it will keep your leaky roof from causing permanent water damage to the inside of your house, which will buy you time for a proper contractor to arrive.
Installing a tarp on your roof is an easy DIY project and only requires a few quick steps and supplies. Follow these instructions and you will have the temporary protection needed for your home.
- Durable Tarp
- 2×4 wooden boards
- Nails
- Screw Driver or Screw Gun
- Utility Knife
- Ladder
Safety First
Before you install your tarp, try and enlist a friend to help you with the project. Another set of hands makes the job way easier and gives you someone to watch your back while you stand on the highest point of your house. Do not install a tarp during a storm and high winds and never walk on your roof when it is wet. Never walk on the tarp itself.
Be sure to clear out all debris from the roof. This means no broken panels or shingles and loose tiles or damaged vents.
Measure the area
Before you know what size tarp to use, you will need to measure the area where the damage occurred. Once you have measured, find the tarp that best suits your needs. A 20×30 feet tarp is your most common sized durable tarp, but smaller ones are not hard to find.
Secure the planks
Extend the top edge of the tarp over the roof
Secure the edges
How To Tarp A Roof
With meteorologists predicting 2020 to be one of the most active hurricane seasons in recent decades, several storms have already impacted the U.S. since the season began June 1st. Contractors and property owners are well aware of the serious damage water can inflict on a home or commercial building and fast remediation of moisture intrusion is critical, especially when the risks run high during severe weather periods! Thats why waterproof roof tarps can be an indispensable stop-gap solution before or after an episode of harsh winds and rain.
Any breach in the roof system can lead to moisture penetration
It doesnt take losing a section of a roof to realize the destructive impact of torrential rains and wind. All it takes is a small breach in your roof system for expensive damage to happen. A weak point, such as a crack in a shingle a corroded pinhole in metal roofing or a tear in a roofs underlayment is all it takes for water to find its path of least resistance into your attic. Rain, especially when its combined with straight line winds, can cause water damage when there isnt even a problem in the roof system at all, by blowing moisture up under a shingle momentarily lifted by gusts of wind mixed with driving rain.
Step 1: The BAND-AID® for Roof Damage
One: Assess The Damage
First and foremost, an essential thing you need to do after noticing leaks, failing shingles, and other signs of damage to your roof is to assess the extent of the issues. When you realize your roof needs attention, you can walk around your property to complete a visual inspection of the problem areas. Make sure to take a trip up into your attic as well, especially after rain, because a smaller leak you didnt see from outside could become apparent up there.
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Deal With Inside The House To Minimize Interior Damage
In most cases, a leak will slowly pool at the ceiling until it finds an escape route usually a penetration point like at a light fixture or heat register. After several hours, the leak will start to find multiple escape routes, making the leak look much worse than it actually is. Find the wettest spot or a bulge in the ceiling and poke a small hole in the middle and use a bucket to collect the draining water. This will minimize your ceiling damage.
Simple Easy Steps On Fixing A Leaky Roof With A Tarp
Here are the easy steps on how to fix a leaky roof with a tarp:
Step 1: Take off any furniture or decor that is in the area of where you are patching. This will make it easier to clean up once you are done. Also, be careful not to damage anything when putting the tarp over the hole itself!
Step 2: Cut a piece of plastic sheeting large enough so that it hangs down on all sides about six inches. Tape the sheeting to your roof along one of the long sides and make sure that it is stretched taught.
Trim off any excess plastic using a box cutter or utility knife, making sure to leave an extra six inches on all sides
Step 3: Pull up and tape down another piece of plastic sheeting over top of the first sheeting that you put up. This will create a double layer of plastic for extra protection
Step 4: Take care to not leave any sharp edges when cutting your tarp, since this could puncture another hole in your roof! If it does happen, make sure to patch it right away with duct tape or even use some tarps as a temporary fix.
Be sure to use a tarp that will withstand the weather that you are in! If it is raining, then make sure your plastic sheeting does not get wet or else this can cause further damage to your roof.
If you want to be extra careful with your roof, then consider having a second tarp ready just in case the first one gets punctured.
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Locate The Point Of Entry
Start with the inside, such as an attic. It will prove to be quite difficult to stop a leaky roof in the rain. Try to locate the leak but keep in mind that the leak in the ceiling and the leak in the roof may not align. If your roof covering is over a layer of plywood, then you should keep in mind that water will generally travel from the leak in the roofing material to the nearest joint in the plywood, depending on how the roof slopes.
Should You Know How To Tarp A Roof
Absolutely! Knowing how to tarp a roof is a great way to avoid rejected claims and roof damage. While it isnt a solution for the long-term, itll at least help.
What it will do is stop a roof leak from getting worse, prevent additional storm damage, and ensure you dont lose the chance to have your insurance company cover the roof damage.
Keep safety in the forefront of your mind when attempting any home repairs, especially high up on your roof. If you feel unsafe or overwhelmed by the task, call a roofing company to take care of it and ensure the job is properly done.
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What Leads To A Leaky Roof
While storm damage might seem like the most apparent reason that roofs require emergency repairs, those unpredictable moments arent the only time you might need to tarp a roof. Holes, leaks, and water damage can occur on the roof of your house at any time. Some reasons your roof might require tarping include:
- Old age
- Excessive moisture
- Pest infestations
Do any of the issues listed above sound familiar, even with the most fervent attention to your annual roof maintenance? If you find yourself recognizing some of these common problems popping up on your own roof, it might be time to take a climb up the ladder and start tarping your roof. Keep reading to learn more about how to tarp a roof the right way until repairs can be made.
Choose The Right Tarp
Choose a high quality tarp that is large enough to cover the damaged area and overhang. Heavy-duty woven poly tarps are the most commonly used tools for the job. Double layered tarps work well, too.
Look for tarps large enough to cover your area. These are typically 12×16 or 20×30 in size. Decide what length and width of the tarp you will need. The goal is to cover the area with as few tarps as possible.
More tarps mean more edges, and more chances for water to sneak in. The tarp needs to be placed directly over the peak and the part of your roof that is damaged.
There should be plenty of overlap on all sides. This is easy when the damage or leaking area is obvious, but can be harder for smaller areas.
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Different Types Of Tarps To Repair A Leaking Roof
There are many kinds of tarps that work well for patching a leaking roof. The most popular ones include:
Canvas Tarp Canvas tarps tend to be the heaviest weight and can absorb more rain, but they do provide extra insulation from cold weather as well as protection from sunlight.
Plastic Tarps Plastic tarps tend to be the most popular kind of tarp for temporary roof patching. They are lightweight, can handle moisture well and come in a variety of sizes depending on your needs.
Vinyl Tarps Vinyl tarps provide you with insulation from cold weather as well as protection from sunlight but they do not absorb water easily so rain can pass through them.
Four: Install The Tarp
Now that you have precise measurements in hand, you can start the initial installation of your roof tarp to prevent water from damaging your homes roof, attic, and interior. After equipping yourself with a safety harness and spotter, climb your ladder and get to work!
Roll the tarp out in order to cover your roof surface. You want the tarp to lay flat against your roof and ensure the edges of excess tarp wrap over, extending past the roofs peak side. Once you position the tarp correctly, you can start to secure the tarp using wooden boards.
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Three: Start To Measure
With your problem area identified, you can now move on to measuring how much of your roof needs to be covered with a tarp. Use a tape measure to find exact calculations for the area and record them in a notebook or your phone. This way, you can purchase the precise amount of tarp you need when taking a trip to your local home improvement store.
How To Tarp A Roof: Step By Step
- Clean the debris
First things first make sure to remove all debris from your roof. This helps you easily find the leak source. Look out for broken panels, torn or missing shingles, out of place tiles, and dented vents.
- Measure the area to be covered with a tarp
The size of the tarp you are using will depend on the measurements of the area to be repaired. There are all kinds of sizes available to suit your needs like 12×16 feet silver tarps or a larger sized 20×30 feet durable tarps. Partially unroll the tarp to cover the damaged section. Allow at least 4 feet overhang past the peak and let the rest hang off the eave.
- Create an anchor board
Using cap nails, attach the peak end of the tarp to a 2 x 4. Remember to place the 2 x 4 against the roof so it wont collect water or debris. The board should be at least 2 feet longer than the width of the tarp. Next, wrap the silver or the blue tarps around the board. Secure the board to the roof with a screw to serve as the anchor. To prevent tearing, you can attach another 2 x 4 on top of your anchor board.
- Sandwich the tarp
Attach 2 x 4 boards to both edges of the tarp, just on the peak side perpendicular to the anchor board. This will hold the tarp tight to the roof and keep the water out.
- Extend the top edge of the tarp over the ride of the roof
- Secure all edges
Lastly, attach 2 x 4 boards down below the sides of the tarp. This will help keep the water out and secure the tarp.
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How To Install A Roof Tarp
When there has been an extreme weather event, roofers receive limitless response calls from homeowners and businesses whose roofs have been impacted. It is important to know how to correctly install a roof tarp, as trusted professionals may not be available to respond to your urgent roof repair needs.
Tools and Materials Necessary to Install a Roof Tarp:
- A ladder and safety equipment
- Measuring tape
- Tools for removing debris
- Nails or screws
Why Use A Roof Tarp
Roof tarps are popular, quick solutions to cover a damaged part of a roof. Whether the roofs damage is caused by a storm or wear over time, a roof tarp will adequately stave off further problems until a more permanent solution is in place. Depending on the severity, you might need a complete roof replacement.
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How Long Can You Leave A Tarp On Your Roof
Ideally, you would leave the tarp on your roof for as little time as possible. That said, as long as the tarp is in good condition, without tears or rips, and as long as the water isnt getting beneath it, it can be left in place. When your tarp will wear out depends on the quality of the tarp and the conditions it is exposed to.
If youre concerned that your tarp isnt effectively protecting your roof anymore, you should reach out to the roofers who put it in place. They should be able to tell you if anything has changed since their initial installation.
Six: Inspect Your Work
This step only applies to homeowners who decide to install a roof tarp themselves. After all the nails and plywood boards are in place, and the repair project is starting to wrap up, you need to make sure your handiwork is perfect. Take time to inspect the tarp and ensure all edges and any excess tarp are secured with sturdy screws or nails to reliable plywood boards. Although this is only a temporary fix, dont be afraid to be critical of your own craftsmanship because installing a tarp can be crucial to protecting your home.
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Average Cost To Tarp A Roof If You Hire A Professional
If you arent worried about the costs or simply not the DIY type, you can always go with a professional, and then you are looking at the hourly rates for the job. For the labor itself, you will likely have 1 -3 contractors working the job, typically around $60 per hour plus materials.
Breaking it down further, if you factor in the cost of the 2 x 4 wood for securing purposes and the tarp, along with labor, and your roof is an easily accessible, standard 1500 square-foot roof. You are looking at an approximate cost of anywhere from $1000 to $1300.
A smaller job for an area under 500 square feet, by contrast, will likely run between $300 and $450 in total.
How To Tarp A Roof For Temporary Roof Repair
November 9, 2018 by Stacy Lehn
Youve come home from a long workday, and you discover that a tree limb has fallen on your roof, puncturing it. Just what you wanted to come home to. Youre thinking through the steps you have to take: getting photographs, contacting your insurance agent or landlord, checking for other damage. Then you look at the weather forecast: rain is on the way tonight. Beautiful. When it rains, it pours, they say.
You need to get your roof covered fast to prevent further damage. You can call a professional like and you know you will once you get past this immediate crisis. But right now you need an emergency roof repair to hold you over until the professionals can deal with the problem.
You dont want to add water damage to the problems you already have, and neither does your insurance company. In fact, theyll be asking you how quickly you can get a temporary roof repair in place. So whats the solution?
This may be an extreme situation, but in truth, there are many reasons why you would need to make a temporary roof repair. Roof leaks can develop at any time when flashing or the seal around a vent fails. Your roofing specialist may need to wait a few days or even weeks for materials to arrive, especially if they are custom shingles.
Temporary roof repair is a must if you find yourself with a breached roof and incoming precipitation of any sort. Luckily, it isnt that difficult if you follow these handy steps.
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Firmly Secure The Tarp In Place
Fully secure your roof tarp to prevent flapping. This will prevent water and debris from entering the damaged area.
Remember that roof tarping is a temporary solution to protect your home from further damage. Once your tarp is up, make sure to get your roof inspected and repaired to avoid any additional damage
