You arrive home after a long day at work to discover that a tree limb has fallen on your roof, piercing it. What you've been waiting for. You're contemplating the steps you'll need to take: obtaining photographs, contacting your insurance agent or landlord, and so on. Now, you look at the current weather prediction: it's going to rain tonight. It's adorable. They say that when it rains, the ground rises up and floods everything.
To avoid additional damage, you'll need to get your roof restored as quickly as possible. You can call a professional like Advanced Roofing & Siding Inc., and you know you will once you've gotten past this immediate problem. You may not know it yet, but you'll need an emergency roof repair right now.
You don't want to make matters worse by causing water damage, and your insurance provider would agree. They'll ask you when you can have an interim roofing solution up. What is the answer?
This may seem to be an extreme case, but there are many times when you'll need to make a quick repair. Roof leaks can happen at any time, even after flashing or the seal around vent tears. If you choose to install a skylight, your roofer may have to wait days or even weeks for supplies to arrive, particularly if they are bespoke shingles.
Because of the weather, a lot of roofs in the region may have been damaged, and all roofing professionals are booked weeks ahead. It's also possible that this run of roofing bad luck happens just before a holiday weekend. If you do not have enough money to pay for any major roof repairs in the future, one of the most frequent reasons for needing roof repair is to provide you with adequate funds. Whatever the reason, it's a must-have skill to know how to tarp a roof.
You'll need to repair your roof as soon as possible if it's leaking and/or raining. Fortunately, if you follow these easy procedures, the job won't be that difficult.
Identify the Damage
You'll need to figure out what sections of your roof need replacing as well as the quantity you'll need. It is critical that your tarp extends beyond the damage by at least three feet on all sides when covering a vehicle.
Gather Your Tools
You’ll need:
- A utility knife
- Optional: hurricane tape or another waterproof tape.
- Optional: roofing cement.
- Optional: plywood or sheet metal to cover a hole, if necessary.
- Optional: cordless drill and deck screws, unless using the no-nails method.
- A tarp large enough to extend beyond the damaged area, or more than one tarp for large areas.
- Several pieces of lumber, such as 2” x 4” or 1” x 4” or 1” x 3”.
- A reliable ladder.
What Makes a Good Tarp
Let's face it; if you're working in the rain or trying to finish before a storm hits, you won't have time to be picky about your tarp. It's more convenient to have something on top rather than nothing at all. If you get the opportunity to choose the tarp that is appropriate for you, find out if it:
- Size: A tarp that extends 3' past the damaged area on all sides, including the bottom and ridge.
- Interior or exterior: Make sure you have a waterproof tarp that's designed to be used outside.
- Thickness: the thicker the tarp, the better.
- UV Protection: If the tarp is made of UV-resistant material, it will last longer while absorbing solar radiation.
Recommended: How To Tarp A Roof
Safety
Tarps might be slippery even when they are dry. To avoid slipping, instead of walking on the tarp, roll it out while standing on the roof or a ladder. Use a harness and hold the top of the ladder firmly to prevent slipping. Always use your safety equipment and follow all necessary precautions. Check to see whether your ladder is still in good working order and that its feet have anti-slip pads. Do not climb up on a ladder. If possible, have a helper who can hold the ladder and assist you with the repair. Do not try to go on the roof during a powerful storm with gale-force winds.
Steps for Repair—Nailing Method
- If you detect a puncture in the roof's shingles or plywood, inspect your roof for possible damage. If the hole is too big for the cover, the wooden board or metal sheet that extends all around it must be used to conceal it. Apply a piece of plywood over the hole and fasten it to the roof using nails or decking screws with a cordless drill.
- Take care to extend the tarp on all sides at least 3' after wrapping up a damaged area.
- Pull the tarp tight and smooth out wrinkles.
- Attach the tarp to the fascia board along the ridge or over the edge of the roof. If available, seal the nail heads with roofing cement to keep them waterproof.
- If you must cover an air vent, make a little hole in the tarp so that the shaft may slip through. Wrap moisture-free tape around it to keep it dry.
How to Tarp a Roof Without Nails (The No Nails Method)
Follow the preceding directions, but instead of nailing the tarp to your fascia board, use two 2" x 4" pieces of wood to keep it in place. Wrap one of your boards around the tarp three times in the corners and another board next to it using two boards. Downhill slopes are more difficult to maintain than those that are vertical. If this isn't secured, a wind gust will lift it up, so wrap the edges to keep it from flying away.
On average, a tarp repair will last from a few weeks to a few months. If you've done it correctly and your tarp is in good condition, you'll have an effective fix for several weeks to several months.
Recommended: How to Tarp a Roof Without Nails
Call the Professionals and Get it Fixed Properly
Of course, short-term fixes are only temporary, and you'll have to go for a long-term or total repair later. A roof repair may help you avoid thousands of dollars in water damage, as well as mold and mildew growth. It's critical to discover problems early, get an inspection right away, and make the required roof repairs to keep you going until a roofer can assist.
Your insurance provider may tell you that you are responsible for the cost of any unreasonably delayed repairs if you don't do these essential emergency repairs and further damage occurs.While it is true that you must take reasonable precautions to avoid additional harm, this does not imply that you must go on your roof if you are not comfortable doing so.