What is emergency roof tarping?
Emergency roof tarping is a temporary cover installed over a damaged section of roof to stop rain from getting into the house until a permanent repair can be made. It is a dry-in, not a fix. The goal is to protect the decking, insulation, ceilings and everything below while the weather clears, the insurer looks at the damage and materials are lined up.
On the mainland, tarps go up most after tropical storms and strong squall lines, when wind removes shingles or metal, or a tree limb punches through. They are also used for planned work that cannot be finished in one day, so a half-opened roof is never left exposed overnight.
A good tarp job looks simple from the street, but it follows a few rules: the tarp is heavy enough, it runs over the ridge, it is fastened to wooden battens rather than nailed through loose plastic, and it sheds water onto shingles, not under them.
How a roof tarp should be installed
The roofer first clears loose debris and broken pieces from the damaged area so nothing tears the tarp from below. They size the tarp to extend well beyond the damage on every side, and when possible run it up and over the ridge so the top edge rests on the opposite slope. That way, water that hits the roof above the damage cannot get under the cover.
Next the tarp is wrapped around lengths of lumber, called battens, along its edges. The battens are screwed or nailed into the roof deck through the tarp roll, which spreads the hold across the whole edge and keeps wind from ripping out individual fasteners. Additional battens across the middle keep the tarp from billowing.
Where the damage is near a valley, chimney or wall, the roofer shapes the tarp so water flows across it and off, rather than pooling against an obstacle. Holes in the deck are often covered first with a piece of plywood so the tarp is not sagging into an opening.
Finally, they photograph the installed tarp for your records and check the interior to make sure the dripping has stopped. For flat sections, a temporary membrane patch or weighted cover may work better than a standard tarp.
Signs you need a tarp now
- Bare decking or holes visible from the yard
- A limb or tree has broken through the roof
- Several shingle courses or metal panels torn away
- Water coming through the ceiling in a steady stream
- Ridge caps missing along a long stretch
- Rain in the forecast before a permanent repair can happen
- A partly completed repair that cannot be finished today
- Skylight glass broken by debris
Why do-it-yourself tarps often fail
The most common mistake is stopping the tarp below the ridge. Rain running down the roof above the damage slides right under the top edge and into the house, sometimes worse than before because the tarp now channels it.
The second is fastening through the plastic alone. Nails or screws through bare tarp tear out in the first strong gust, and a flapping tarp scrapes granules off good shingles and can pull more of the roof loose.
Third, thin tarps from the hardware aisle break down fast in Gulf Coast sun and tear at the grommets. Heavier tarps with reinforced edges last longer.
Last, tying tarps to gutters, vents or downspouts. Those parts are not built to hold a sail, and they bend or pull off the house.
Looking after a tarp until the repair
Once the cover is on, walk around the house after every windy afternoon and look for edges that have lifted, battens that shifted or water pooling in a low fold of the tarp. A small sag can collect enough rain to stretch the plastic and push water toward a fastener hole. Report any change to the roofer who installed it rather than climbing up to adjust it.
Inside, keep checking the ceiling under the damaged area. A stain that keeps growing after the tarp went up means water is still getting in somewhere, perhaps at an edge or through a second opening nobody spotted. Mark the stain outline with a pencil and the date so the change is easy to see.
Plan the permanent repair while the tarp is doing its job. In hurricane season, a second storm can arrive within days, and a roof that has already lost its seal is far more vulnerable the second time. Getting on the schedule early, sorting the insurance visit and arranging any windstorm inspection keeps the tarp phase as short as possible.
What to do inside while you wait
- Turn off the breaker for any light, fan or outlet that is wet or below the leak.
- Set buckets and towels under drips, and empty them before they overflow.
- Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way.
- If a ceiling bubble is filling with water and no fixture is nearby, a small hole at its lowest point lets it drain into a bucket in a controlled way.
- Keep people and pets out from under any sagging section.
- Photograph everything before and after you move it.
Run fans and a dehumidifier in wet rooms once the water stops coming in. Drying the space early limits how much drywall and insulation has to be removed later.
The roofer's visit for a tarp
- Phone details. Expect questions about the size of the opening, roof type, stories and whether the house is safe to enter.
- Safety check. The roofer judges whether the roof can be walked or whether the work must be done from a ladder or the attic.
- Photos. Damage is documented before anything is covered.
- Install. Debris is cleared, the tarp is sized, run over the ridge and battened down.
- Interior check. They confirm the dripping has stopped and note damage inside.
- Next steps. You get a plan for the permanent repair, including any windstorm inspection.
Factors that shape a tarp job
| Factor | Effect on the job |
|---|---|
| Size of the opening | Bigger openings need larger tarps, more battens and sometimes plywood. |
| Roof pitch and height | Steep and two-story roofs need more safety gear. |
| Tree or debris on the roof | A tree service may need to remove it first. |
| Weather window | Crews can only install in safe wind and light conditions. |
| Area-wide demand | After a major storm, every roofer in the county is busy. |
Safety comes before the tarp
Nobody should be on a roof during a storm, at night, or in strong wind. Damaged decking can give way underfoot, and wet shingles and metal are slick. Inside, a ceiling heavy with water can collapse, and water reaching wiring is a shock and fire risk.
If a tree has struck the house, lines are down, or you smell gas or smoke, leave the house and call 911. Tarping waits until the scene is safe. When possible, temporary covering should be done from inside access or by a roofer with fall protection.
Tarping questions
How long can a roof tarp stay on?
A tarp is meant to protect the house for weeks, not seasons. Sun breaks down the plastic and wind works the fasteners, so plan the permanent repair as soon as conditions allow and have the tarp checked after storms.
Should the tarp go over the ridge?
Usually yes. Running the tarp over the ridge so its top edge sits on the far slope keeps water from running underneath it, which is the most common tarp failure.
Can I tarp the roof myself?
Climbing a damaged or wet roof is dangerous. If you are not equipped for roof work, protect the inside of the house and leave the tarp to a roofer with fall protection.
Will insurance cover the tarp?
Many policies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and temporary protection is often part of a covered claim. Keep receipts and photos and check your policy.
Do tarps damage shingles?
A tarp that flaps loose can scuff granules, and nails driven through good shingles leave holes. Battens fastened in the right places and removed carefully keep that damage small.
What can I do inside while I wait?
Shut off power to wet fixtures, catch drips in buckets, move furniture and electronics, lay towels, and keep people out from under any sagging ceiling.
Related pages
A tarp is step one after a storm, and if missing shingles caused the opening, the shingle repair guide shows what comes next. The storm damage guide covers the insurance and windstorm steps that follow. If the opening is on a porch or addition with a low slope, see flat roof leaks.
Large lots and tall trees make limb damage a frequent tarp call in Santa Fe. The mainland roof leak guide has the full service area and leak tracer.