Using A Roof Tarp In Emergency Situations.

Following any major storm the next crucial step is damage assessment. As part of the assessment process it is important to note the areas most critically affected by the storm and make temporary repairs to stabilize your home until a professional contractor is available. One of the most common types of damage after major storms is roof damage. Using a tarp to cover the damaged areas is crucial until more permanent repairs can be made. Immediate action in emergency situations can prevent further deterioration to the exposed areas of a roof and can greatly reduce future repair costs. However, tarping a roof should only be done if there is an immediate threat of further damage and a professional is not available to complete the task. When making tarp repairs to a roof it is always best to use the buddy system and have a friend or neighbor assist you with the project. Avoid standing on steeply pitched rooftops and never stand directly on the tarp when applying it to the roof, especially if it is wet.

Identifying the damaged areas caused by hurricanes, tropical storms and other natural elements can be difficult at first sight but there are some key indicators that damage has occurred. Some of those key indicators include but are not limited to disturbed shingles caused by high winds, dipping or indentations to the roof, broken roof tiles, missing sheet metal panels and of course water damage to the inside of the house due to leaking or dripping. Water will travel the path of least resistance so the area the leak appears to be in may not actually be the origin. If possible, try to track the water leak to its origin. In order to accomplish this you may have to crawl in the attic or even cut a square out of the ceiling drywall to find the source.

Once all damaged areas have been assessed, the tarp process can be initiated. There are a couple of different options available for roof covers but a polyethylene tarp is the preferred fabric due to its tear resistant qualities. It is safer and more manageable to use several smaller covers than one large cover. In addition to a tarp cover, some other items are essential for the process and include a ladder, a pair of heavy-duty gloves, a hammer, safety glasses, a cutting instrument, several 2 x 4 wooden studs and 3-1/4” screws or framing nails. Start by laying out the tarpaulin over the damaged area. If you need to use multiple tarps to completely cover an area then connect the two pieces by overlapping them. Use a 2 x 4 strip of wood that is longer than the width of the tarp and place it on top of the tarps edge that is overlapping the bottom cover. Fold the wood strip back on itself with both the bottom and top tarp at the same time. Complete three full rotations before securing the 2 x 4 strip to the roof with nails or screws. The folding of the tarps with the wood strip will create a seal and prevent water from seeping through the two separate covers. Place an additional strip of wood, of equal length, on top of the first and secure it with nails or screws. The sandwich effect will further reduce water seepage as well as, strengthen the hold on the roof. The final step in the process will require placing 2 x 4 strips of wood cut into 3 or 4-foot sections along the perimeter of the tarp cover. Try to space the strips of wood about 1 foot apart from one another. The space between strips will allow the movement of water, dirt and debris and prevent it from collecting on top of the tarp and damaged area.

Safety is of the utmost importance and using a tarp cover, as a temporary solution should only be done in an emergency situation. Never attempt to repair a roof during a storm and always stop working if the weather starts to worsen. Roof repairs are best left to the professionals, so if there is any professional assistance available please use it. Furthermore, always remember to use the buddy system when on a roof or using ladders. Roofs can be extremely dangerous and under no circumstances should these steps be attempted in foul weather or unsafe conditions. These instructions are just a suggestion and the author holds no liability or responsibility for accidents that may occur during the repair nor holds any responsibility for faulty repairs. Furthermore, it is recommended that you consult with a professional if there is any doubt whatsoever about safety or procedure.