How to Tarp a Roof Properly

A storm rolled through town last night. This morning you see water stains on your ceiling. When roof damage lets water into your home, fast action matters. 

Knowing how to tarp a roof can help reduce additional water intrusion until permanent repairs are made. But since storm-damaged roofs can be slippery, unstable, and unsafe, emergency roof tarping is usually best left to trained professionals. 

 If your home has roof damage, focus first on safety, documenting the problem, and lining up professional help as soon as possible. 

Key Takeaways

• Knowing how to tarp a roof can help limit additional water damage until permanent repairs are made. 
• Always assess the damage from the ground, and never do roof work alone or in dangerous conditions. 
• Professional roof tarping services make sure the right materials are used and that the tarp is properly placed to avoid further water intrusion. 
• Roof tarping is a temporary solution. Schedule a professional inspection and repair as soon as possible. 

Before You Start: Assess the Damage

Before you grab a ladder and scramble onto your roof, take a few minutes to look things over. Walk the perimeter of your home and scan the roof from the ground. Look for missing or shifted shingles, visible holes, sagging areas, or debris that may have caused the damage. If the roof suffered fire damage, its structural integrity could be compromised in ways you can’t see. 

If needed, call a professional for an emergency tarping job. While a few missing shingles may look manageable, a large hole or section that seems to be caving in is a completely different story. Also, if your roof is steep, wet, multi-story, or shows signs of structural damage, a DIY tarp job quickly becomes unsafe.  

Insurance tip: Take photos before any cleanup or temporary tarping begins. Your insurance company will want documentation of the damage.

1. Safety First

Any roof work comes with risk, especially after a storm. Wet shingles, hidden structural damage, and steep slopes can increase the chance of a fall or further damage. A trained team has the equipment and experience to safely install temporary protection and assess the condition of the roof at the same time. 

 If weather conditions are poor, the roof is steep, or the damage appears widespread, stay off the roof and call a tarping service. 

2. Clearing Debris from the Roof

Knowing how to properly tarp a roof starts with a clean surface. Loose materials underneath a tarp can create an uneven fit and allow water to sneak through. Before a tarp is laid down, a team should clear away branches, leaves, and any other debris from the damaged area. That way, you’ll get a more effective seal.  

3. Measuring the Area for Tarping

For temporary protection to work, the tarp covering needs to extend well beyond the visibly damaged area. Generally, the tarp should extend at least three feet beyond the damaged section on all sides for full coverage. It should also reach over the roof’s ridge line, if possible, to help stop water from pooling at the edges. 

Professionals can size and place tarps carefully to help channel water away from the opening and reduce the chance of additional water damage.  

4. How to Secure a Roof Tarp

One of the most important decisions when it comes to tarping a roof is choosing the right way to hold it in place. You don’t want to do all the tarping work, then have it shift or peel back in the next rainstorm.  

The most common ways professional teams secure a roof tarp: 

5. Professional Roof Tarping Materials

When roof damage happens, speed matters. You don’t want to be driving around town to different hardware stores to collect materials if there’s a hole in your roof. Professional roof tarping teams come prepared with all the necessary materials to get the job done quickly.  

This includes:  

• Heavy-duty tarps 
• Fastening materials anchor boards 
• Specialized tools to help protect your home from additional water intrusion 

Insurance tip: Save all your receipts. Your insurance company may reimburse you for emergency tarping services. 

6. Position the Roof Tarp

Installing a roof tarp is more complicated than it probably looks. The covering has to be sized correctly, positioned to shed water, and secured well enough to hold up in changing weather. On a damaged roof, that process can be difficult and dangerous without the right equipment and experience. 

Here’s how a professional tarping team properly covers the damaged area: 

• They begin by identifying the full area that needs protection so the tarp covers not just the visible damage, but also the surrounding area that could allow water intrusion. 
• They position the tarp so it lies as flat as possible against the roof surface, helping reduce gaps, bunching, and weak points where water or wind could get underneath. 
• When needed, they extend the tarp over the roof’s ridge line to help direct water away from the damaged section and reduce the risk of water collecting at the edge. 
• As they place the tarp, they smooth out wrinkles and air pockets that could make the covering more vulnerable to wind uplift. 
• They pull the tarp taut for a more secure fit and to help it hold up in changing weather conditions. 
• They secure the tarp evenly across the covered area so it stays in place and protects the home until permanent repairs can be made. 

When a roof tarp is installed correctly, it should provide stable temporary protection and help reduce the risk of additional water damage while permanent repairs are arranged. 

What Comes Next?

Knowing how to tarp a roof only buys you time. It’s a temporary solution, not a permanent fix. Next, contact your insurance company ASAP to report the damage and start your claims process. Then, schedule a professional roof inspection to assess the full extent of the repairs you need.  

In the meantime, check your tarp after any wind or rain to make sure it’s still secure. Keep an eye out for any signs of new leaks or water intrusion in your home. 

When storm damage goes beyond the roof, SERVPRO is here to help. From water intrusion to structural repairs, our storm services cover everything you need to get your home back to normal. 

Contact SERVPRO today.  

FAQs

Should I tarp my roof myself or call a professional?

In many cases, it’s safer to call a professional. Storm-damaged roofs can be slippery, unstable, or structurally weakened, and even temporary protection needs to be installed correctly to work. A professional tarping service can assess the damage, install emergency protection, and help reduce the risk of further water intrusion. 

How do I put a tarp on a roof without nails?

To tarp a roof without nails, use sandbags or wood anchor boards to weigh down the edges of the tarp. You can also attach poly tarp clips to the tarp’s edges and secure them with rope tied around the fascia boards. These methods can keep down a tarp without puncturing your roof.  

How do I tarp a roof leak?

To tarp a roof leak, find the damaged area, clear any debris, and lay a heavy-duty tarp over the affected section. Extend the tarp at least three feet beyond the damaged area on all sides and over the ridge line, then secure it tightly to prevent water from getting under it.  

How long does it take to tarp a roof?

The timeline depends on the size of the damaged area, the roof design, weather conditions, and how easy the area is to access. Generally speaking, a professional team with the right equipment and experience can tarp a roof in a few hours. 

How much is it to tarp a roof?

The cost to tarp a roof varies depending on the size of the damaged area, the complexity of the roof, and the urgency of the job. The national average cost for a roof tarping job is $450, but your costs may vary.