Had a leak pop up in my old asphalt shingle roof after last week’s storm. I grabbed one of those blue tarps from the hardware store and tried to secure it with some 2x4s and bricks (don’t judge, I was desperate). It’s held up okay for a few days, but I’m nervous about wind or more rain. Anyone else used a tarp like this? Did it actually keep things dry or just buy you a little time?
- Tarping’s a classic stopgap—definitely buys you time, but it’s not a long-term fix.
- I’ve seen tarps hold up for a week or two, but wind loves to find any loose edge. Bricks can shift, especially if it rains hard.
- Best luck I’ve had is screwing the 2x4s down into the roof deck (if you’re comfortable with that). Just laying them on top isn’t super reliable.
- If you’re expecting more storms, check the tarp every day or two. Water can still sneak in if it pools or if the tarp shifts even a little.
- Honestly, it’ll keep most of the water out for now, but don’t trust it for too long—especially if you’ve got valuables underneath.
Yeah, tarps are basically a band-aid. I’ve used them a few times after hail storms—never felt great about it, but sometimes you don’t have a choice. Screwing down 2x4s definitely helps, but you’re still risking more holes in the deck. I’d just add: if you’re going to tarp, try to use something reusable or recyclable. Some of those cheap blue tarps just end up as landfill after a week. Not perfect, but at least it’s something to think about.
Yeah, I hear you on the blue tarp graveyard—seen way too many of those after bad storms. I’ve tarped a few roofs myself (asphalt shingles, Midwest hail season), and it always feels like a temporary patch job. One thing I’ve started doing is using those heavy-duty woven tarps made from recycled plastic. They last longer, and I can usually reuse them for yard work or covering wood piles later. Still, nothing beats getting a proper repair done, but sometimes you’re just buying time until the insurance adjuster shows up.
That’s a good point about the heavy-duty tarps—mine’s just the basic blue one, and I can already see a couple spots where it’s starting to fray at the edges. I’m in the southeast, so we get those sudden downpours and gusty winds, which makes me nervous. Honestly, I’m just hoping it holds until I can get someone out here. The insurance wait is no joke. At least it’s keeping most of the water out for now, but I’m checking it every morning just in case.