What a proper tarp job looks like
- Tarp extends over the ridge
- Secured with wood strips, not just bricks
- Covers past the damaged area
- Photos taken before and after
How long it lasts
Tarps are temporary and break down in sun and wind. Plan permanent repairs soon.
When a tarp is the right call
A tarp makes sense when a storm has left an active opening in the roof, such as missing shingles over decking, a torn section of membrane, or damage around a chimney or skylight that is letting water in. It is not a repair in itself, and it is meant to buy time until a permanent fix such as storm damage repair can be scheduled.
What goes into a proper tarp installation
A tarp that is thrown over a hole and weighed down with bricks rarely holds up in the next wind event. A more durable setup includes several details.
- Heavy-duty material sized well past the damaged area on every side
- The tarp extended over the ridge so water cannot run underneath it
- Wood furring strips used to sandwich and fasten the tarp edges
- Fasteners placed into solid decking rather than just through shingles
- Photos taken before and after to document the condition
Steps from the first call to a secured roof
The process moves quickly compared to a standard repair.
- You contact the referral line and describe the damage and any active leak
- A local roofing partner prioritizes the call based on urgency
- The damaged area is assessed and photographed before covering
- A tarp is installed and secured over the opening
- A permanent repair or replacement is scheduled once conditions allow
What homeowners can do before help arrives
If it is not safe to go on the roof, do not attempt it. Inside the home, moving furniture away from the leak, placing a container to catch dripping water, and photographing visible interior damage are all reasonable steps that do not require climbing onto a wet or damaged roof.
How long a tarp is meant to last
A tarp is a temporary measure, not a long-term cover. Sun exposure, wind, and temperature swings break down tarp material and loosen fasteners over time, so it needs to be checked periodically and replaced with a permanent repair as soon as scheduling allows, rather than left in place through multiple storms.
Tarping and the bigger storm picture
Tarping is often just the first step after a storm that also caused hail or wind damage elsewhere on the roof. An inspection after the tarp goes up typically looks at the whole roof, not just the opening that triggered the emergency call, since one storm can leave multiple problem areas.
Why timing matters more than usual for an emergency call
With an open roof, every additional rain event adds more water to decking, insulation, and possibly ceiling drywall. Compared with a routine repair, where scheduling flexibility matters less, an active leak changes the priority: getting a tarp up safely becomes the first job, and the full repair follows once the opening is secured and conditions allow safe access.
Tarping on flat or low-slope sections
Flat and low-slope roofing systems need a different approach to tarping than sloped shingle roofs, since water does not simply run off a tarp the way it does on a pitch. Securing the tarp around curbs, drains, or parapet walls on a flat section takes care to avoid creating a new place for water to pool. See flat roof repair for more on how flat roofing problems like ponding are addressed once a permanent repair is scheduled.
After the tarp: planning the permanent repair
Once the home is protected, attention turns to the underlying damage. That might mean a straightforward shingle or flashing repair, or it could point toward replacement if the damage is extensive. Reviewing storm roof inspection findings and, where relevant, the insurance claim process helps set expectations for how the permanent fix will be scheduled and paid for.
Tarping around chimneys, skylights, and other penetrations
Openings around chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes are common failure points during a storm, and tarping around them takes extra care to avoid creating new gaps where water can collect. See skylight leaks and chimney flashing leaks for more on how those specific areas are typically handled once the emergency cover is in place.
Common questions
Can a homeowner put up a roof tarp safely?
Wet roofs are very dangerous. If you cannot do it safely, catch the water inside and call for help.
Does a tarp count as a repair?
No. A tarp is temporary protection until a real repair can be done.
Is a tarp enough protection through a full season?
No. Tarps are a short-term measure and typically need replacing with a permanent repair well before an entire season passes, especially through freeze and thaw weather.
Who decides where the tarp goes if there are multiple damaged spots?
The areas with active leaks or open decking are prioritized first, since those pose the most immediate risk to the interior of the home.
Can a tarp be installed in the rain?
It depends on safety conditions. Wet, windy, or icy roofs are dangerous to work on, so timing sometimes has to wait for a safer window.
Does tarping stop mold or interior damage that already started?
Tarping stops new water from entering, but it does not dry out or repair materials that are already wet, which may need separate attention.
How is a tarp removed once the real repair starts?
It is carefully pulled back from the fastened edges so the crew can access the decking and surrounding shingles for the permanent repair.
Will tarping void an insurance claim?
No, taking reasonable steps to prevent further damage is generally expected. Photographing the area before and after tarping helps document the condition either way.
Can a tarp be installed at night during an emergency?
It depends on safety conditions and visibility. If it is not safe to work on the roof, protecting the interior and waiting for daylight is usually the better choice.
Does a larger hole need more than one tarp?
It can. Larger or irregular openings sometimes need multiple overlapping sections secured together to keep water from finding a gap at the seams.
Emergency Roof Help Now
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