- Tarp’s a solid emergency move, but yeah, it’s a pain when the wind picks up.
- I’ve had better luck with heavy-duty bungee cords than rope—less slipping, especially on steeper roofs.
- Those spray-on sealants are hit or miss for me too. If there’s any moisture, they just peel right off.
- If you’ve got a flat roof, ponding water makes tarps almost useless... learned that the hard way.
- For shingle roofs, I’ll sometimes wedge a piece of plywood under the tarp to keep water from pooling. Not pretty, but it works till the rain stops.
Heavy-duty bungees are a game changer—totally agree there. I’ve tried ropes and they just seem to loosen up after a few gusts, especially on my old asphalt shingles. For flat roofs, I’ve actually used sandbags to weigh down the tarp edges, but yeah, if water starts pooling, it’s basically a slip ‘n slide up there. One thing I’d add: if you’re using plywood under the tarp, make sure it’s not pressing down on any soft spots or you’ll end up with a bigger mess. Learned that one after a soggy spring...
- Sandbags on a flat roof sound good in theory, but I’ve seen them shift during heavy rain or wind. Once they move, you’re back to square one—water sneaks right under the tarp.
- Pooling water is a big red flag. If it’s collecting anywhere, even with sandbags, you’re risking more than just leaks—think rot and mold down the line.
- Plywood under tarps makes sense for weight distribution, but if there’s any sag in the roof deck, it can actually trap water underneath. Had a client try that last winter—ended up with warped decking and a bigger repair bill.
- Heavy-duty bungees are solid, but only if you’ve got something sturdy to anchor to. Old shingles or soft fascia boards won’t hold up for long.
- Personally, I lean toward temporary patching compounds for small leaks—stuff like roof cement or even those peel-and-stick patches. Not perfect, but they buy time until you can get a proper fix in place.
Quick fixes are always a gamble... sometimes they hold, sometimes they just make things messier. Just my two cents from seeing too many “quick” jobs turn into full-on replacements.
I’ve tried the peel-and-stick patches on a couple spots—worked better than tarps for me, at least through one storm. My roof’s got a low slope, so pooling is a headache. I wouldn’t trust sandbags long-term. Honestly, quick fixes just buy you a weekend.
Peel-and-stick patches are like duct tape for your roof—good for a rainy day, but don’t expect miracles. Low slope plus pooling is just asking for trouble, honestly. I’ve seen folks try everything from beach towels to kitchen pans... nothing beats a real repair when you can swing it.
