Best Way to Tarp a Roof for Temporary Weather Protection

The Best Way To Tarp A Roof Is To Use The Right Materials, Prep The Surface, Secure The Tarp With Proper Fasteners And Techniques, And Follow Safe Work Practices. This Guide Covers Step-By-Step Instructions, Safety Tips, Repair Considerations, And Insurance Notes To Help Protect A Home From Further Water Damage Until Permanent Repairs Are Made.

Step	Key Action	Why It Matters
1	Assess Damage & Weather	Determines tarp size and urgency
2	Gather Materials	Ensures secure, watertight temporary cover
3	Prepare Roof Area	Prevents further tearing or leaks
4	Position & Secure Tarp	Maintains seal through wind and rain
5	Inspect & Maintain	Prevents secondary damage until repairs

When To Tarp A Roof

Tarping Is Appropriate For Emergency Temporary Protection After Storm Damage, Fallen Trees, Missing Shingles, Or When Immediate Professional Repair Is Delayed. It Is Not A Long-Term Fix; a Tarp Extends The Window To Arrange Permanent Repairs.

Choosing Materials

Select Heavy-Duty, UV-Stabilized Polyethylene Tarps (At Least 6 Mil, Preferably 10–12 Mil), Roofing Nails Or Screws With Washers, 2×4 Lumber For Cleats, Roofing Felt Or Underlayment, Ladder Stabilizers, Safety Harness, And Rope Or Cordage Rated For Outdoor Use.

Recommended Tarp Sizes And Types

For Most Residential Repairs, Large Continuous Sheets (12′ X 20′ Or Larger) Reduce Seams And Points Of Leakage. Blue Poly Tarps Are Common But Look For UV-Resistant Tarps Designed For Roofing Use.

Assessment And Preparation

Before Climbing, Inspect From Ground Level Using Binoculars To Identify Damage Location, Extent, And Safe Access Points. Check Weather Forecast For Wind Or Rain That Could Complicate Work.

Remove Loose Debris, Branches, Or Shingles That Might Puncture The Tarp. If The Roof Edge Is Sharp Or Has Protrusions, Pad The Area With Roofing Felt Or Plywood To Prevent Tarp Tears.

Safety First

Prioritize Personal Safety: Use A Fall Arrest System, Ladder Stabilizers, Non-Slip Footwear, And Never Work On The Roof Alone. If The Roof Pitch Exceeds 6:12 Or Conditions Are Wet/Windy, Hire A Professional Roofer Who Has Experience With Tarping And High-Access Work.

Step-By-Step Tarp Installation

1. Measure And Plan

Measure The Damaged Area And Add Overlap: Extend The Tarp At Least 3 Feet Past The Damage On All Sides When Possible. Plan For Water Runoff Direction—place the tarp so water flows off the edge, not under it.

2. Create Cleats

Use 2x4s Cut To Fit The Tarp Edges Where The Tarp Will Be Secured. Cleats Protect The Tarp From Direct Fasteners And Distribute Load When Screwed To Roof Decking Or Into Fascia Where Structure Allows.

3. Position The Tarp

Carry The Tarp Up Folded To Reduce Wind Catching. Lay It With The Long Dimension Up Slope Over The Ridge If Covering Large Areas So Gravity Helps Maintain Tension And Water Shedding.

4. Fasten The Upper Edge First

Secure The Top Edge With Cleats Or Batten Strips Attached With Screws And 3–4″ Washers. Fasten At 12–18″ Intervals To Prevent Wind From Lifting The Tarp. Do Not Nail Directly Through The Tarp Without A Washer.

5. Work Down The Slope

Stretch The Tarp And Fasten Cleats Or Screws Working Down The Roof In Rows. Maintain Even Tension—Avoid Overstretching Which Causes Tears And Avoid Lounging On The Tarp Surface To Prevent Slips.

6. Secure Bottom Edge

Allow The Bottom Edge To Overhang The Eave Slightly And Attach To Fascia Or Use Sandbags/Weighted Boards. This Prevents Water From Being Driven Under The Tarp During Wind-Driven Rain.

Seams, Valleys, And Ridges

When Covering A Ridge, Drape The Tarp Over The Ridge With Material On Both Sides And Fasten Near The Ridge Beam Using Cleats. For Valleys, Center The Tarp In The Valley And Seal Edges With Roofing Felt And Fasteners To Prevent Concentrated Leaks.

Securing In High Wind Areas

In Wind-Prone Locations, Use Additional Tie-Downs Such As Rope Secured To Anchors Or Sandbags. Consider Strapping The Tarp To Chimneys Or Structural Members With Webbing Straps Rather Than Relying Solely On Roof Fasteners.

Temporary Flashing And Edge Sealing

Apply Roofing Felt Or Self-Adhesive Flashing Tape Under The Upper Edge Of The Tarp To Create A Better Seal. Press Flashing Firmly And Fasten Cleats Through The Tarp And Flashing To Minimize Water Intrusion Where The tarp meets intact roofing.

Inspection And Maintenance After Installation

Inspect The Tarp Regularly After Storms And Every Few Days During Prolonged Exposure. Look For Tears, Lifted Edges, And Water Pockets. Re-secure Or Replace The Tarp Promptly If Damage Occurs To Avoid Secondary Structural Or Mold Issues.

Repair vs Tarping: When To Move To Permanent Fixes

Tarping Is A Short-Term Measure To Prevent Immediate Water Damage. Schedule A Licensed Roofer For Permanent Repair Within Days Or As Soon As Weather Permits. Prolonged Tarp Use Increases Risk Of Hidden Rot If Not Monitored.

Insurance And Documentation

Document Damage With Photos And Date-Stamped Notes Before And After Tarping. Contact The Homeowner’s Insurance Provider Promptly To Verify Coverage, Preferred Contractor Requirements, And To Ensure The Temporary Measures Are Recognized For Claim Processing.

Tools And Material Checklist

Category	Items
Tarps	UV-Stabilized Polyethylene Tarps, Multiple Sizes
Fasteners	Deck Screws, Washers, Roofing Nails, Cleats (2x4s)
Safety	Fall Harness, Ladder Stabilizer, Hard Hat, Gloves
Accessories	Roofing Felt, Flashing Tape, Rope/Straps, Sandbags

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Avoid Nailing Tarps Directly Without Washers, Failing To Secure The Upper Edge Properly, And Leaving Poorly Fastened Tarps During High Winds. Neglecting Safety Equipment Or Working Alone On Steep Roofs Is A Major Hazard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can A Tarp Stay On A Roof?

Ideally Only Long Enough To Arrange Permanent Repairs—A Few Days To A Couple Of Weeks. With High-Quality Materials And Regular Inspections, Temporary Coverage Can Be Extended, But Risks Increase Over Time.

Is It Better To Tarp From Inside Or Outside?

Exterior Tarping Is The Proper Method To Protect The Roof Deck. Interior Plastic Sheeting Protects Ceilings Temporarily But Does Not Prevent Roof Deck Deterioration.

Can Homeowners Tarp Themselves?

Homeowners Can Tarp Small, Low-Pitch Roofs With Proper Safety Gear. For Steep Pitches, Large Areas, Or Severe Weather Damage, Hire Licensed Professionals To Avoid Injury And Ensure An Effective Seal.

Final Practical Tips

Work With A Partner For Safety And Efficiency. Keep The Tarp Tight But Not Overstressed. Log All Actions Taken And Retain Receipts For Materials—these records help with insurance claims. Think Of Tarping As A Protective Pause, Not A Permanent Repair, And Move Quickly To Arrange A Professional Roof Replacement Or Repair.