I’ve had similar luck with tarps on my low-slope roof—wind just loves to get under them, no matter how many sandbags I pile on. I actually tried using furring strips and screws once, and yeah, it left a few holes, but honestly, it held up better than anything else during a storm. For seams, I’ve found that butyl tape sticks better than duct tape, especially in cold or wet weather. It’s not perfect, but it buys you some time. Pooling water is the real killer though... I’ve propped up the plastic with a couple of old paint cans before, just to keep things sloped. Not pretty, but it worked for a weekend until the roofer could get out.
Man, you’re speaking my language with the wind and tarps. I swear, every time I think I’ve weighed mine down enough, the next gust turns it into a sail and I’m chasing it across the yard in my pajamas. I’ve also sacrificed a few furring strips and, yeah, made some “custom ventilation” in the roof. Not ideal, but desperate times…
Butyl tape is a lifesaver—duct tape just kind of gives up around here (Midwest winters are brutal). I’ve never tried the paint can trick, but I’ve used some old patio bricks to make a slope. Not exactly HGTV-worthy, but it kept the water from pooling and dripping through my ceiling fan. Sometimes you just have to get creative and hope the neighbors aren’t watching.
Honestly, it sounds like you did what you had to do. It’s not pretty, but if it keeps the rain out until the pros show up, I call that a win.
I’ve had the same experience with tarps turning into kites, especially on my low-slope roof. Midwest wind just doesn’t play fair. I’ve tried everything from cinder blocks to tying the tarp to fence posts, but it’s always a gamble. The “custom ventilation” comment made me laugh—my last emergency patch job left a few unintended skylights too.
Butyl tape is a solid choice. I tried using regular caulk once and it just froze up and cracked within a week. Duct tape is basically decoration in subzero temps. I haven’t tried the paint can trick either, but bricks and even bags of gravel have helped keep things in place for me. Not pretty, but it beats waking up to a puddle in the living room.
One thing I’m curious about: has anyone tried those self-adhesive roof repair patches? I saw them at the hardware store, but I’m skeptical they’d hold up in freezing rain or snow. My roof’s asphalt shingles are about 18 years old, and the leaks always seem to find the weakest spot. I’ve also wondered if synthetic underlayment would be worth it as a stopgap, or if it’s just overkill for a temporary fix.
For those who’ve dealt with repeat leaks, did you notice any difference between using blue tarps versus the heavier-duty gray or green ones? I feel like the blue ones shred faster, but maybe that’s just me. I’m always looking for ways to stretch the budget without making things worse in the long run.
For those who’ve dealt with repeat leaks, did you notice any difference between using blue tarps versus the heavier-duty gray or green ones? I feel like the blue ones shred faster, but maybe that’s just me.
I’ve had the same issue—blue tarps seem to disintegrate after a couple of storms, especially with wind and ice. The gray ones are thicker and lasted through an entire winter for me, though they’re not exactly cheap. Tried one of those self-adhesive patches last year on a cracked shingle; it stuck okay at first but peeled up once temps dropped below freezing. Synthetic underlayment as a temp fix sounds interesting, but I’d worry about it getting slippery or tearing if you’re walking up there. For now, I’m sticking with heavy tarps and sandbags... not pretty, but at least my living room’s dry.
Blue tarps are basically good for one thing: making your house look like it’s about to be featured on a storm-chasing show. They’re cheap for a reason—they’ll shred if you get any serious wind or ice, especially up here in the Midwest. I’ve seen folks try to double them up, but they still end up flapping apart after a couple weeks.
The gray and green ones are definitely thicker and hold up longer, but yeah, you pay for it. If you’re just trying to keep water out till you can get proper repairs done, heavy-duty’s worth it. I’ve also seen some people try using synthetic underlayment as a temp fix, but honestly, it gets slick as snot when wet and tears easy if it’s not secured tight. Not my favorite unless you really know what you’re doing.
Self-adhesive patches? Meh. They peel up in cold or after a hard rain. If you want something that’ll actually last through a season, go for the thick tarp and double up the sandbags or boards on the edges. Not pretty, but at least you won’t wake up to a waterfall in your living room.
