The first stage in the recovery process is to restore your house following a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, tornado, or powerful storm. The most exposed portion of your home is almost certainly its roof, which has probably taken the most damage. It might be tough to find roof repair professionals during a storm.
It's not a good idea to ignore minor leaks or even tiny cracks on your roof since they might lead to more harm and eventually greater repair costs. A tarp is an excellent and inexpensive method to keep your equipment dry. If well-made, high-quality tarps can protect against rain for up to 90 days depending on the weather.
It can take up to four years for your roof to degrade enough that it requires replacement, but with this much time on hand, you'll have plenty of time to choose whether or not you wish to change it yourself.
Installing a tarp on your roof is not as difficult as you may believe. It just takes a few minutes to finish it correctly. With this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to tarp a roof like a professional!
What you need
- Use a high-quality woven poly tarp (the thicker the better, the option to consider is the silver tarp)
- If you own a home and have electricity, it's not necessary to bring your batteries.
- Screw gun
- Utility knife (for cutting the tarp)
- Safety goggles, ladder, hand gloves
- Nails, about 3 1/4 inches long
- Hammer
How to Tarp a Roof: Step by Step
- Clean the debris
First and foremost, make sure to clean your roof completely. The source of the leak is much easier to identify this way. Look for cracked or missing shingles, misplaced floor tiles, and dented vents.
- Measure the area to be covered with a tarp
The size of the tarp you select will be determined by the severity of the damage. There are several sizes to choose from, such as 12x16 feet silver tarps or 20x30 feet long-lasting tarps. To conceal the damaged area, partially unroll the tarp. Allow at least 4 feet of overhang past the peak and dangle from the eaves.
- Create an anchor board
Attach the peak end of the tarp to a 2 x 4 with cap nails. Place the 2 x 4 against the roof so it doesn't accumulate water or dirt. The length of the board should be at least 2 feet greater than the width of the tarp. Then, cover the object with a silver or blue tarp. To serve as an anchor put a screw into the roof. If you want to avoid tearing your anchor board, place a second 2 x 4 on top of it.
- Sandwich the tarp
Attach two 4x4 boards to both corners of the tarp, perpendicular to the anchor board on the peak side. Nail or screw the tarp to the roof ridge for stability.
- Extend the top edge of the tarp over the ride of the roof
Finally, if necessary, trim the excess tarp from the other side so that there is a 4-foot overhang. Place the tarp on the other side in the same manner as before, except nail it to a 2 x 4 this time. The boards should be at least 10 inches apart. Wrap the rope around the board and pull it tight against the roof, covering the roof with a tarp. Attach it beneath the eave using a screw gun.
- Secure all edges
Finally, secure 2 x 4 boards to the tarp's bottom. This will keep the water out and secure the tarp.
Recommended: How To Tarp A Roof With Sandbags
Safety First – ALWAYS
Even if you do it yourself, repairing your house should be a pleasant and secure experience. That is for sure: If you're taken to the ER after, you won't be happy! While roof tarp installation isn't difficult, always proceed with caution. Before getting your hands dirty, make sure you have everything you'll need and that you're appropriately dressed. Use a ladder to drape the tarp if the roof is too high. Avoid walking on the tarp if it's wet on snowy days since this may create ice beneath it.
It is a well-known saying that ‘when it rains, it pours' (or something to that effect). When your roof leaks or breaks, it can… right inside your house! Tarping a roof is an easy do-it-yourself procedure that can assist you in avoiding additional harm until expert assistance is available. You may complete it yourself like a professional roofer with the appropriate tools and training.
How do I stop my roof valley from leaking?
The tarping process is particularly useful for stopping the leakage of a roof valley. A tarp placed over it will suppress the water and protect your belongings like insulation, vents, walls, furniture, and electrical fixtures.
The tarps used to cover roof valleys are typically known as ‘valley covers' or ‘ridge cap'. They help in stopping leakages through attics or cathedral ceilings by diverting rainwater or melting snow away from them. This aids in preventing further damage to damp areas like drywall interiors (walls), subfloor interiors (below flooring), and insulation.
As stated earlier, covering the lower section of the eave is also essential for securing all decking sections to avoid additional leaks in windy conditions. Such a measure will assist in preventing the leakage of water and snow to enter your home. People with flat roofs can also use this method, and it's much simpler than you think!
How do I know if my roof needs tarping?
If your roof is leaking, you must get it repaired immediately. It has been estimated that when a normal 3-tab shingle gets wet for just 4 hours, there is an 80% chance of it getting moldy. If you discover any such spots after inspecting the roof yourself or hiring an expert to inspect it for you, don't waste even a minute before placing tarps over it. They're cheap insurance policies that will protect your property from any further damage!
Read more: How To Tarp A Roof
Possible Causes of Roof Leaks
- Standing water in the gutters or chimney
- Broken or loose shingles
- Damaged flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights
- Loose underlayment on flat roofs
- Water marks at the exterior wall where it meets the roof overhang (drip edge)
- Cracked pipe flashings or roof penetrations like dryer vents (for new construction only)
Excessive granules around solar panels could indicate a broken seal if they're black; also check for missing screws holding down the panels. Treated plywood may be present beneath some installations. It must be replaced by an expert contractor after removing each panel carefully. This is to prevent poisonous fumes from emitting into your home when they get too moist.