How To Tarp A Roof After Storm Damage
Salvatore Pirozzi
CEO and Founder of Mars Restoration
When harsh storms hit your homes roof and leave you in need of emergency repairs, its unlikely that youre the only one in the neighborhood with a problem. With that said, you might need to wait a few days before your roofing contractor can come to tend to any outstanding storm repairs. Fortunately, you can tarp a roof as a reliable but temporary fix for pressing roof damage.
Although it might only work temporarily, tarping the damaged area of a roof is often the best way to avoid further damage to both your homes interior and exterior until youre able to make the necessary repairs to your roof with the help of an expert residential roofing restoration company. If you need to learn how to tarp a roof until your preferred roofing professional can make it over to assess your property, keep following this simple seven-step guide to tarping a damaged roof and secure your home successfully.
Other Patches And Fixes For Leaking Roofs
If using a tarp over the hole in your roof annoys you or causes more issues than it fixes, then consider some other options instead. Some patches that are commonly used include:
Rubber Sheeting is very easy to work with. You can cut it or bend it easily and since its waterproof, rain wont get through so this is perfect for short term fixes.
Foam Board are very lightweight, waterproof and easy to cut so you can make them fit over any sized hole in your roof. They will keep out moisture but they do not provide insulation from cold weather nor protection from the suns rays.
Shingles can be purchased to replace any old ones on your roof that are damaged.
Tar Paper is a thick sheet of paper designed to protect your roof from water damage and ice buildup in winter.
It will not be able to insulate you against extreme cold, but it does provide some protection against wind while still being lightweight enough for the job! If using tar paper, make sure you overlap your seams by at least three inches.
Felt Paper is very similar to tar paper, but it does not have that distinct tar smell and its much easier to attach to your roof than other heavy materials like shingles or tar paper!
It provides excellent insulation against the cold weather as well as protection from sunlight.
Metal Sheets can be used to patch your roof if you need something more heavy duty than the other patches listed above.
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.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Install A Green Roof
Make An Anchor Board And Sandwich The Tarp
In this step, it is essential that the 2×4 wooden board used is at least two feet longer than the width of the tarp. Connect the peak end of the tarp to the wooden board using nails. The board must then be placed against the roof. Wrap the tarp around the board. After this, use a screw to fasten the board to the roof so that it can act as an anchor. The tarp must then be sandwiched by attaching two pieces of 2×4 to both edges of the tarp. It is essential that the tarp is tight to the roof to prevent water leakage.
How To Tarp A Roof
Difficulty
Duration
2-4 hours
Tarping a roof stops leaks temporarily and protects your home from the elements. When installed correctly, roof tarps can shield your home from bad weather for up to 90 days.
This guide details how to tarp a roof in a simple, affordable wayand keep you dry until you can fix the issue or have a professional team make repairs.
Also Check: How Much Overlap On Metal Roofing
Safety Measures You Need To Take When Repairing A Roof
Lets state the obvious: roofing jobs are dangerous. If you dont observe proper safety procedures, then you might just end up hurting yourself or worse. Before you embark on a roofing project, make sure that you make all the necessary preparations to ensure that the project can be completed without any accidents.
- Wear non-slip shoes . The top of the roof is the worst place for anyone to lose their footing. So, make sure that you put on a pair of non-slip shoes before you go up there. A pair of rubber-soled work shoes or a pair of boots with good tread or traction will serve you well.
- Clear away debris and any material on the roof that may pose a slipping hazard.
Also Check: Shed With Overhang Roof
How To Put A Temporary Tarp On A Leaking Roof
When the weather is being unfriendly, whats your first line of defense against external elements?
When the heavy rains are not letting up, what helps you sleep better at night?
When the sun is in an unforgiving mood, whats that one thing that protects you from its harsh rays?
The answer, of course, is your roof.
The roof is perhaps one of the most underappreciated parts of a home. But when it starts showing signs of a leak? Thats when most homeowners start to give it the time of day. And its just as well. Considering how a roof leak can easily develop into more serious issues, its not hard to see why many seasoned homeowners are giving it priority over other parts of the home.
One of the most challenging aspects in dealing with roof leaks is that they often happen during a heavy downpour. In such situations, not many roofing contractors are readily available to carry out roofing repairs.
That doesnt mean you should do nothing and allow the water to infiltrate your home. Thats a disaster waiting to happen.
So, whats the best course of action to take in such a situation? Five words: Put a tarp on it!
Believe it or not, a suitable tarp can protect your home from the dangers of roof leaks for up to 90 days, which should be more than enough time for a roofing contractor to come in and carry out permanent roof repairs.
Recommended Reading: How To Replace Clay Roof Tiles
Water And Mold Resistance
When trying to protect your roof from leaks, the most crucial consideration is whether or not your tarp is waterproof.
Most tarps consist of materials that are at the very least water-resistant. However, this water rating may not be enough to protect your home.
Your tarp needs to be more than just water-resistant. A completely waterproof tarp is necessary, preferably one that is also treated with special chemicals to prevent the spread of mold or fungus.
Why Tarp A Roof
Suppose your roof leaks after significant water damage after a heavy storm, natural disaster, or lengthy periods of rainfall. In that case, you may need to consider a temporary solution while waiting for repairs.
Many American households are affected yearly by falling trees, hurricanes, and even hail. Fixing a water-damaged roof can be costly and lengthy. During that time, you dont want the water damage to your home to get any worse.
Allowing your roof to be temporarily tarped is a simple, cost-effective solution to your problem. It buys you time and protects your household while repairs are underway.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does A Shingle Roof Last In Florida
How To Put A Tarp On A Roof Without Nails
If you work for a contractor, you may need to learn the best way to tarp a roof without nails. Nailing down tarps is a common approach but time-consuming and difficult.
A self-adhering tarp eliminates the hassle of repairing your roof and is effortlessly installed. You can also rely on a friend to help set up a roof tarp without nails.
Proper footwear is also critical since you are undertaking a roof repair. Choose a harness to wear when buying roof supplies to safeguard yourself from harm.
S To Temporarily Patch Your Roof With A Tarp
When ones roof is damaged it is only natural to want to stop any water from getting inside, which also happens to be one of your insurance companys primary concerns. While it may take weeks or even months to get a roofer out to repair the damage, a tarp can be put in place pretty quickly. A properly installed tarp can not only help prevent any further water intrusion which reduces the insurance companies cost, but can help you get your life back to normal faster.
Recommended Reading: How Much Will My New Roof Cost
Get Help With Your Damaged Roof
It is important to get a tarp on your roof as soon as the bad weather has cleared so that it is in place if another storm rolls in. It is also important to get repairs done as soon as possible and not leave the tarp on for an extended period. If youre looking for a roofer to help with emergency roof repairs or to just place a tarp, look for a local contractor through IKOs Contractor Locator.
Assess The Roof Damage
If you cant assess the damage from where you are, its best to stay away. You dont want to be up there if your roof is still giving way or has started leaking inside, and water could potentially fall on top of you as well. If that happens, then a tarp wont help at all, and youll be facing much more significant repairs. If it is unsafe to assess your roof damage on your own, immediately call a professional to do a thorough and safe inspection of the damage. They can also get the ball rolling on an estimate and schedule your repair.
You May Like: How To Install A Bathroom Fan Roof Vent
Nail Or Screw Boards Down
The roofers will fasten the board to the roof with nails or screws after they wrap the tarp around a thin wooden plank. All the nails and screws should be driven straight into the shingles. All of these shingles will need to be replaced when the roofers fix the roof, but it is a small price to pay for water prevention.
It’s A Good Idea To Hire An Expert
It’s a good idea to hire an expert roofer to install a roof tarp. Attaching a tarp takes little time, and roofers are anxious to complete this task since it increases the chance you’ll pick another contractor rather than waiting until they can accommodate you into their schedule.
It’s not a smart idea to attempt to build your tarp. It’s dangerous at its finest, never mind during a big storm or when you believe your roof is leaking when you’re standing on the roof without the necessary training and equipment. It’s more challenging to fall off of wet roofs with potential tripping hazards, such as unsecured shingles. If you’re a big guy, your roof may collapse beneath your weight. Consider some non-urgent measures to take ahead of time if you’re the type who likes to get things done.
Even though a professional should be in command of tarp installation, you should double-check that your roof is properly tarped to protect yourself and reassure your insurance provider. So, let’s go through how to put up a roof tarp and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
Recommended Reading: Can You Roof Over Existing Shingles
How Much Does It Cost To Tarp A Roof
One of the many questions you may be asking right now as you continue to read this article is this, How much does it cost to tarp a roof?
Getting a breakdown of the overall costs for tarping can be tricky. The cost of the tarp itself deserves the utmost consideration. If you go to a nearby Walmart, a 20Ã20 roofing tarp will cost you between $20 and $80. And make sure that you dont buy one meant to be used for RVs! Were talking the heavy-duty kind here. If you want your tarp to hold, buy the ones that are waterproof, reinforced, and at least 16 mils thick. This is your roof were talking about, and you cant take any chances by using run-of-the-mill fare that wont even last you a day.
On average, hiring a roofing contractor to perform an emergency tarp installation will cost you between $200 and $500. On top of having to pay for the tarp itself, you also have to factor in the cost of labor, emergency premium charges, and the strips of wood that will secure the tarp to the roof.
Other factors that may influence the pricing include:
- The size and quality of the tarp to be used.
Emergency Roof Leak Repair
So how do you make an emergency roof leak repair? There are a 8 quick ways you can make a emergency roof repair:
These methods are all ways to make an emergency roof repair however, you should not rely on these methods to be permanent solutions. As soon as you can, contact a trusted roofing contractor to come and inspect your roof.
Before you get started, its important to recognize the signs of a roof leak, take measures to lessen the damage, and also find the leak itself. Heres how we recommend how to do this:
Also Check: How Much Does It Cost To Recoat An Rv Roof
Also Check: Can You Install A Metal Roof Yourself
Stretch The Tarp Over The Side Of Your Roof And Secure The Ends
In this step, it is once again essential that a 4-foot overhang is left. Attach the tarp to a 2×4 using nails as was done on the other side. Make sure that the tarp is pulled tightly against the roof and wrap it around the board. After this, attach it under the eve using a drill. Finally, the ends can be secured by attaching 2×4 boards below the sides of the tarp. This will also prevent leakage.
Roof repair iscomplex but you can minimize your need for repairs by ensuring your roof isproperly installed and maintained and that you are prepared for roofingemergencies. If repairs are needed, remember, its always best to callthe professionals because they have the expertise and knowledge to complete aquality job. Sometimes permanent roofing repairs are not immediately possibleand methods such as roof tarping can be used as a temporary solution. For moreinformation on roof repairs contact ABC Roofing Corpat 344-4622, today!
Position Your Tarp And Hold It Down
Grab your tarps and lay them down over the damaged area. Ensure they are fully covered without gaps or sagging . You also want to make sure that theres an overlap of about four feet all around so water cant get under and seep into the seams. You will want to use wooden boards as a temporary fix to hold the tarp down. You can start at the roofs peak, lay down the anchor board, and let any excess tarp hang over the edge.
You May Like: How To Install Roofing Underlayment In Valleys
