Roof Tarp Basics
Emergency Roof Tarping
We can tarp, board up, fence, and shrink wrap anything!
With 15 years experience specializing in emergency board ups,
roof tarping, emergency fencing, and shrink wrapping fire
damaged buildings, we’ve seen it all.
You can feel confident that The Board Up Company will restore order, until repairs can be scheduled.
Tarping a roof is a repair project to be completed only when a professional contractor is not available, and the situation
requires immediate attention to prevent further damage.
If foul weather is on the way, you should consider calling The Board Up Company
for your 24hr emergency roof tarping needs.
This type of emergency repair is only a temporary fix for a roof
leak and should only be completed in a safe environment with
proper safety equipment. Always be sure to have at least one
additional person to assist in the repair. Final repair is best left
to someone who has the equipment and skill to do it safely and
permanently.
If foul weather is on the way, you should consider calling The Board Up Company for your 24hr emergency service needs.
With 17 years of experience specializing in emergency board ups, roof tarping, and fire damaged buildings closeouts. We’ve seen it all. You can be confident that The Board Up Company can protect your property from further damage until repairs can be scheduled.
In these tough economical times some of you will try to hold onto your hard earned cash by tarping your own roof. I know it, I’ve seen it. Some get the job done, and others don’t have a clue…So I’ll shed a little light on the subject of roof tarping for you.
If you’re feeling the urge to get wet, and save a few bucks…here are some helpful tips for you do-it –yourselfers.
Wet rooftops are treacherous, particularly when wet and tarps are slippery even when dry.
A roof tarp is an emergency repair that is a temporary fix for a roof leak that should only be completed by a professional roofer, or an Emergency roof tarping company with proper safety equipment. Always be sure to have at least one additional person to assist with the roof tarping.
Final repair is best left to someone who has the equipment and skill to do it safely, and correct.
Remember wet rooftops are treacherous, particularly when wet and tarps are slippery even when dry. So be careful.
 Roof tarp basics 101
Be careful
• Don’t stand on a roof that has a steep pitch.
• Don’t stand on a tarp-especially if it is wet. Tarps get slippery when wet
• And never attempt to go onto a roof during a storm.
How do you know if you have suffered roof damage after a wind storm has passed
Finding exact location can be difficult if an obvious deformity is not identifiable.
Storm damage can range from large, highly visible dents, and tears to almost undetectable indentations. Even small amounts of damage can harm the surface of your roof and lead to deterioration over time. Leaks can appear to start in one area, but water often moves in paths that are not expected.
Before you decide to tarp a roof, first try to identify the roof leak’s origination
Start by checking the underside of the roof sheathing for water stains. Crawl up into the attic, have a look around to see if you can spot wear that river is coming from that is draining into your living room
O.K., this is ridicules’ but I have to say this. “Do not climb onto the roof surface as it may be unstable
There are several ways to evaluate the condition of a roof after a severe storm. Here are some no brainers to look for:
- Torn or missing shingles
- Dented metal roof vents
- Missing metal roof panels
- Broken or out of place tiles
- Roof indentations
- Water spots and signs of water caused by water leaking underneath the roof deck into the attic.
Emergencies rarely behave in the same manner, some adjustments to the plan may be necessary to complete the roof tarp.
- Locate the area in question on the roof top.
- Measure the area that needs to be covered. Give yourself about 1 foot over the ridge to about 2 feet below the leak for the tarp length. Then measure the width of the leak area and add an additional 6 feet for the tarp width.
- Cut your roof tarp material to size.
- Center your roof tarping plastic from over peak to below the leak, open it up.
- Roll 2, 3 - 2 inch rolls of plastic in your hand, creating a nail line, place the tarp flat onto the roof surface, and sink your first nail in the plastic nail line. To help prevent wind from shredding your hard work you’ll need to pull the tarp tight as you sink a nail approximately 2 to 3 ft apart all the way around the and stretching the tarp tight along eaves, parameter, and over the ridge.
- Step safely down the ladder, dry off, and relax your done. Good job!
“NOTE TO ONES SELF“ Make sure to install your material over the ridge!!!… I’ve seen professional s installed just shy of the ridge. This allows for water to run freely as it chooses right under the plastic and inside your house. (This is the worst thing you can do to sabotage your own hard work like this, other than falling to your death!)
If you have to do a roof tarp installation yourself, be careful.
Feel free to call if you have any questions regarding your roof leak tarp. |
