Need to tarp a roof?

Tarping your roof can be beneficial if your roof has suffered damage from a storm or if you’re making new additions to your home. In instances where water is leaking into your home from your roof, tarping your roof can temporarily stop the leaking.

Emergency roof tarping is a temporary fix that saves you money by preventing water damage while you wait for a roofing professional to repair the damaged roof. Since it doesn’t take much water to cause mold, mildew, or rot, properly tarping your home will save you a bundle on repairs.

If you’ve checked the weather and noticed that imminent bad weather is approaching, then getting your roof tarped as soon as possible will be more of a priority. Moreover, if you’re aware that you have a damaged roof, getting it fixed as soon as possible is always best as bad weather can break out at any moment unexpectedly.

So, how do you tarp a roof?

1. Safety First

roofing safety while trying to tarp a roof

Roofing happens to be one of the most dangerous challenges that a homeowner can take on. For this reason, it’s best to get a professional to do the job.

At any rate, when roofing, refrain from walking on slippery or steep roofing material without having toe boards and safety harnesses in place. Furthermore, make sure to have safety goggles, gloves, helmets, and rubber-soled boots for your protection.

Next, you’ll need a solid non-slip ladder and a spotter to help you to reach the damaged area. You’ll also need the help of a second person to help you get everything into position.

2. Assess the Damage

Here is where you want to examine your roof well to get an accurate picture of how much damage is done before purchasing supplies. Using your sturdy ladder, climb up to the edge of your roof. Take a rake or a broom and clear any debris from the roof’s surface.

If you’re someone who has shingles, make sure to only pull the rake or broom towards you. Moreover, if you discover a large hole in your roof, be sure to cover it using a plywood board and screws before tarping your roof. This will prevent water pooling on the tarp in the affected area when it rains.

3. Measure Carefully

measuring to tarp a roof

Using a tape measure, measure the surface area of the affected area at risk of leaking. Look for any loose or damaged shingles and be sure to include these in your measurements as well.

Next, procure a heavy-duty tarp that’s sufficient in size to cover the damaged area while having 4 inches of overhang. You’ll also need a hammer, an electric screwdriver, a stock of 2x4s, cap nails, and wood screws to hold things in place. You’ll want your 2x4s to be approximately 2 inches longer than your top.

4. Anchor the Tarp

As you spread the tarp over the damaged area, weigh the tarp down with 2x4s. Use one of the 2x4s as an anchor, beginning from the end of the tarp close to the peak of the roof. If your tarp happens to cover part of the roof’s peak, you’ll be unable to screw the boards in place along the ridge.

In this situation, you can use two smaller anchor boards instead and you can leave a space around the roof’s peak.

anchor tarp to roof

The next step is to screw the anchor board in place beneath the tarp—directly to the surface of the roof using one screw. Next, place the tarp in between a second board, sandwiching the tarp between the two, and nail the two boards together.

Take the excess tarp and roll it around the 2x4s to secure the tarp—helping it remain watertight. Continue to repeat this step along all of the tarp edges. Make sure that the tarp is completely sandwiched in between the boards and taut.

5. Secure the Tarp

Once you have all of the boards in position, screw the boards in place using your screwdriver. There should be some excess tarp hanging over the roof. Take a 2×4 and place it under the edge of your roof. Take the extra tarp and secure it with 2×4 to keep water from blowing underneath the tarp.

6. Call in the Professionals

You can roof tarp your home in the case of an emergency. You can be sure to protect your home from bad weather for up to 90 days as you wait for professionals to repair your roof. However, when it comes to roof work it’s best to leave the job to the professionals, as it is dangerous and most people don’t have the proper safety equipment to do the job.

If you’re ever unsure about how to tarp a roof, give us a call. Red Canyon Roofing is here to help with any of your roofing concerns, so don’t hesitate to reach out and get your free estimate!