Funny how “quick fix” always turns into “temporary permanent solution,” right? I’ve tried the sandbag thing on a 10/12 pitch and, yeah, those things slid off like buttered toast. The 2x4s work better for me too, but I always worry about wind catching the tarp anyway. Anyone ever tried those weighted tarps with built-in tubes? I keep seeing ads but haven’t met anyone who’s actually used one. For slate, it’s such a pain—no way am I drilling into 100-year-old tiles. There’s gotta be a better way, but I haven’t found it yet...
The 2x4s work better for me too, but I always worry about wind catching the tarp anyway.
Yeah, tarps and wind are a nightmare combo. I’ve seen more than a few “emergency” tarps end up in a neighbor’s yard after a gusty night. Those weighted tarps with tubes look cool in ads but I haven’t actually seen one in action either—feels like one of those things that works great on a flat roof in perfect weather, but not so much on a steep slate roof during a storm. And drilling into old slate? That’s just asking for trouble... or at least an angry call from the homeowner. Anyone ever try using foam pool noodles under the tarp edges to help with runoff? It’s weird, but I’ve seen it done.
- Yeah, wind and tarps are a bad mix. Seen plenty go flying, especially on those steep roofs.
- Weighted tarps always look promising but I don’t trust them on anything but low-slope or flat surfaces.
- Drilling into slate is a no-go for me too—too risky, and homeowners hate it.
- Pool noodles under the tarp edge? Haven’t tried it myself, but it sounds like it could help with runoff if you’re desperate. Wonder how long they’d last before getting squashed or blowing away though...
- I usually stick with 2x4s and sandbags, but nothing’s perfect in a real storm. Temporary fixes always have a catch.
Weighted tarps are decent for flat roofs, but I’ve never had much luck keeping them in place on anything steeper than a 4/12 pitch—wind just finds a way. I’ve tried the pool noodle trick once during a downpour, and honestly, it helped channel water off the edge, but after a couple days they were pretty flattened and started to shift. For slate, I agree—drilling is asking for trouble. I’ve had better luck with 2x4s screwed together as a frame and then sandbags on top, but even then, a big gust can move things around. Nothing’s foolproof, especially in a real storm.
- Weighted tarps are about as good as it gets for a quick patch, but yeah, anything steeper than a 4/12 and you’re fighting gravity and wind. I’ve seen folks try to lash them down with rope or bungee cords, but that can do more harm than good if you’re not careful—especially with older shingles or slate.
- Pool noodles are clever for channeling water, but they just don’t hold up long-term. I’ve seen them turn into mush after a couple days of sun and rain. If you’re desperate, they’ll buy you a little time, but I wouldn’t count on them for more than a weekend.
- Drilling into slate is a nightmare. I’ve inspected more than one roof where someone tried to anchor a tarp and ended up cracking half a dozen tiles. That’s a repair bill nobody wants.
- The 2x4 frame with sandbags is probably the most reliable “temporary” fix I’ve seen, but even then, if you get a real gusty storm, things can shift. Sometimes I’ll see folks use old tires or buckets filled with gravel—works in a pinch, but it’s not pretty.
- One trick I’ve seen work on steeper roofs (asphalt or metal) is to tuck the tarp under the ridge cap if you can get up there safely. It’s not perfect, but it gives the wind less to grab onto.
- For leaks near the eaves, sometimes just running a heavy bead of roofing cement under the shingle above the leak will buy you a few days, but it’s messy and not great for the roof long-term.
- Honestly, nothing’s really “foolproof” once the weather turns nasty. Best advice is to get something up there to slow the water down, then call in a pro as soon as you can. I’ve seen too many folks try to tough it out and end up with ceiling stains or worse.
- Quick note: insurance adjusters can be picky about what counts as “emergency mitigation.” Photos of your temporary fix help if you need to file a claim later.
Every roof’s a little different, but those are the tricks I see most often. Sometimes you just have to cross your fingers and hope the weather holds until you can get a real repair done...