What Should You Be Looking for When You Need a Roof Tarp?
By: Jan Hajek | Date Posted: October 6, 2020
Table of Contents
Even though modern roofing materials are solid and durable, they can still need repair due to natural wear and tear or experience damage by storms.
According to https://www.nytimes.com, leaking roofs are spotted the most in spring after the winter weather damage has been done. A roofing tarpaulin can be the most effective and economical answer to your emergency. However, you need to know what you should be looking for in a tarpaulin to perform the best.
Factors to Help You to Make the Right Decision
Before you step out to buy a tarpaulin for your damaged roof, you should be clear regarding various aspects like the tarp’s purpose, the kind of damage to be controlled by the tarp, the prevailing weather conditions, and other external influences that the tarpaulin is expected to face.
By quickly assessing these factors, you will save yourself the effort and expense of buying the wrong kind of tarp that will fail to address your need. Other critical factors involved in selecting the right tarp for your need are:
Size
Since tarps are available in a huge variety of sizes, you need to purchase a tarp of the right size. If you buy a too small size, you will not be able to cover the damaged area adequately, and joining multiple pieces is not practical for protecting your house from water ingress.
Buying too large a tarp for your requirement also means that it will be difficult to handle and install properly besides being too heavy and needlessly expensive.
Weight
Even though a lightweight roof tarp is easy to install, experts suggest using heavier tarps so that they remain in place even in the face of strong winds. While a standard lightweight poly tarp is only 5 mils thick, roofing tarps should ideally not be less than 12 mils.
If you are not comfortable dealing with the technical aspects, you should ask the supplier to give you a heavy-duty tarp suitable for a roof repair project.
If the damage is minor and the repairs are expected to be carried out quickly in fine weather, you can always buy a lightweight poly tarp as it will be more convenient and inexpensive.
Waterproof
For fixing a roof prone to water ingress, the tarpaulin needs to be completely waterproof. Ask specifically for one hundred percent waterproof material, usually a poly, vinyl, or PVC tarp, to make sure you do not end up with a water-resistant tarp that will start leaking if the rainfall is hard.
The need for a waterproof material is two-fold; not only will water not ruin your furniture and carpets but also not damage the roof’s wooden structure.
Conclusion
When you buy a tarp for roofing repairs, you need to ensure that it is up to the job in terms of size, material, weight, and waterproofing. If you expect the tarp to remain in place for a long time, it may be worthwhile buying versions that have been treated to make them mildew proof as well as rust-resistant.
FAQs
How long can you leave a tarp on a roof?
Generally speaking, roof tarps only last a couple of weeks. They can potentially last longer or shorter amounts of time due to the weather they may encounter. Remember, a roof tarp is a temporary solution, and it is best to contact a roofer as quickly as possible to fix the roof.
Will a tarp help a leaky roof?
Covering your leaky roof with a tarp is not a permanent solution, but it can prevent the damage from worsening and protect your home from dripping water until you can make real repairs.
Can I staple a tarp to my roof?
The staples won’t be able to hold a tarp since they have neither the depth nor tensile strength that is required. We would recommend using roofing nails or screws.
How can I temporarily cover a hole in my roof?
You can cover a hole in your roof using a roof tarp. It is not a permanent solution, but it can prevent the damage from worsening and protect your home from dripping water until you can make real repairs.
Thank you for reading!
