Your roof is leaking, or you’ve spotted water damage but can’t afford to fix it immediately. Do you have any options for mitigating further damage to your home while waiting for repairs? Fortunately, a roof tarp can be a quick fix during emergencies, but you might be wondering:
How long can you leave a tarp on a roof?
On average, the maximum recommended amount of time to leave an emergency tarp on your roof is 90 days. However a long-term tarp can serve for up to two years if needed.
These are averages, but roof tarps’ actual life expectancy varies significantly by material and weather conditions.
In the following sections, we share the actual life expectancy times across different roofing tarp brands, types, and sizes. Plus, we’ve included the factors that determine how long you can leave a trap on your roof and how you can mitigate damages to the tarp.
Roof Tarp Life Expectancy
On average, an emergency roof tarp can protect your home from damage for up to 90 days if installed correctly. A long-term tarp installation could last one to two years if needed. A roof tarp alone cannot make your home energy-efficient, completely water-resistant, and comfortable but provides you and your local roofer with breathing room.
Tarps vary on how long they last before breaking down, depending on the materials they are made of and their exposed conditions. Some tarps may last a year or two if properly installed.
But there are other factors to consider besides the lifespan of the tarp itself. If you need to cover the attic exhaust and intake vents while protecting your roof from the elements, this will prevent proper ventilation.
Improper ventilation will lead to overheating, which further damages roof tiles. It will also lead to a build-up of condensation, which can cause mold growth and further water damage to your home.
Think of a tarp-like spare tire on your car. It is an emergency measure that works great temporarily. Then you will want to fix the problem more permanently as soon as possible.
Why Tarp a Roof?
Leaving roof damage unaddressed can lead to extensive and expensive home repairs later on. Any exposed wood will rot when soaked. This can lead to damaged rafters, ceiling joists, wall framing, and compromised structural integrity.
Enough water can cause shorting of wires in the attic or ceiling, leading to loss of electricity or even to fires or electrocution. Water soaking through the ceilings of your home can lead to further need for repairs and replacing things such as sheetrock and ceiling beams.
Another big problem with water damage inside is the growth of mildew and mold. Some molds are mostly harmless to people, simply being unsightly and causing property damage. Others are very hazardous to your health and can make you very ill.
If you can’t have a professional fix your roof right away, tarping it can be the best short-term option.
When should you Tarp a Roof?
If you know or suspect there has been damage to your roof, you should tarp it as soon as there is any possibility for inclement weather. This will vary depending on the climate where you live. It may be the best practice to tarp your roof immediately, so you are not caught off guard by an unexpected storm.
What Type of Tarps are Best for Roofs?
Look for a tarp that is heavy-duty and waterproof.
There are several types of tarps to consider, including coated canvas, polyethylene, and vinyl.
Coated canvas tarps are heavy-duty and usually made with rust-proof brass grommets. They are popular for a variety of outdoor uses and are heavier than poly tarps.
Canvas tarps are not tear-resistant and will shrink and/or stretch over time. Also, the waterproof coating may wear off over time, making them less than ideal for roofing purposes.
Polyethylene tarps are sturdy and multipurpose. They come in waterproof and UV-resistant varieties and can be a good choice for your roof. Poly tarps are tear-resistant, have heat-welded seams, and come in fire-retardant types as well.
Vinyl tarps are thicker and tougher than most other tarps. They can withstand a lot of rough weather and are made to last. They have heat-sealed seams, are tear- and abrasion-resistant, and can stand up to UV exposure.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Tarp for your Roof
Water Resistance
Of course, since the goal of tarping the roof in the first place is to keep water out, your first criteria will be a waterproof tarp. There are plenty of water-resistant tarps out there, which may not protect your roof properly, so make sure to check.
Most tarps are treated with a substance to make the mold- and mildew-resistant. This is important to help keep from transferring mold to the inside of your home.
Durability
A lightweight tarp may be inexpensive and easy to handle, but it won’t hold up long under the full weather exposure. A tarp 12 mils thick or more will hold up to weather conditions and the abrasions of being secured to the roof much better.
How to Tarp a Roof
Supplies:
Measuring tape
Tarp
2×4 boards
Roofing nails or cap nails
Hammer
Wood screws
Screw gun
Safety glasses
Extension ladder
- Before you begin, remember: Never walk on the tarp! Keep to the roof tiles or ladder. The tarp is treacherously slippery, and stepping on it can lead to serious injuries.
- First, you’ll need to remove any debris or lose tiles from your roof.
- Then, locate the area that needs to be covered. This may be evident from the outside in the form of loose roofing, holes, or other apparent damage. Or it may be necessary to estimate the position of the damaged area from inside the home or attic by looking at visible water damage.
- Next, measure the area of the roof that needs to be covered, so you know what size tarp to purchase. Your tarp needs to be four feet longer and wider than the area you are covering.
- Position your tarp along the peak of the roof with 4 feet of tarp overhanging the eave and 4 feet of tarp overhanging the peak.
- On the top edge of the tarp (the peak side) lay a 2×4 under the edge of your tarp. The board should extend 2 feet beyond the tarp on the side, away from the eave.
- Secure the tarp to the board with your chosen nails. Now roll the board up in the tarp a couple of times. Make sure the tarp is feeding off the top of the board.
- Now secure the wrapped board to the roof with screws. This is your anchor board.
- Next, screw a board to each edge of the tarp on the peak side, perpendicular to your anchor board. These will hold the tarp tight to the roof and help keep the water out.
- Now, on the eave side, repeat the procedure you used to make the first anchor board. Secure the tarp to a 2×4 with nails. Wrap the board in the tarp, then screw it securely to the roof just under the eave.
- Attach 2×4 boards down the long perpendicular sides of the tarp, just as you did on the peak side, to keep water out.
- Finally, to help prevent tearing, you can screw 2×4 boards onto the top of your anchor boards.
Can I Staple a Tarp to my Roof?
Well, you could, but it wouldn’t hold. The tarp will likely tear-off of the staples with the first wind that comes along. It’s best to use roofing nails and nail the tarp to boards to keep it in place.
Why should you have a Professional Tarp your Roof?
Climbing around on a rooftop is a dangerous proposition for anyone. You could slip and fall, worst case, off the edge of the roof.
It’s also possible that there could be extensive damage that is difficult to see with an untrained eye. Stepping on a soft spot and falling through the roof could result in injuries and home damage.
Unless you already have the tools and safety equipment that you need for the project on hand, you may not save much money doing it yourself either. If you want to hire a professional, we’ve highlighted the cost of tarping a roof.
Other reasons to hire a professional include a too steep roof to navigate safely or extensive damage caused by a big storm or a fallen tree.
Carefully assess whether you should attempt to DIY or hire a professional by calculating the costs of all materials and tools and the time and effort it will take. Be realistic about your fitness level and the difficulties of climbing around on a roof.
The pros have all the right equipment and experience to do the job safely and as efficiently as possible.
A professional roofer can also inspect your roof and assess that damage as they go and give you an estimate of what it will take to repair your roof when the time comes entirely.
Conclusion
Dealing with home repairs can be a challenge, especially for something as big as a damaged roof. It can be overwhelming, figuring out where to start and whether to do it yourself or hire a professional.
Tarping your roof is a great fix to prevent further damage but should only be a temporary measure.