Those blue tarps are basically tissue paper in a windstorm, no argument there. I’ve had better luck with the brown ones too, especially if you use those furring strips like you mentioned—kind of spreads out the force so you don’t end up with a bunch of shredded corners. I do wonder sometimes if folks realize how much water can sneak in around a poorly fastened tarp... Seen more than one “quick fix” turn into a ceiling collapse after a week of heavy rain. The rubber shingle idea sounds cool, but honestly, even just taking the time to double up your tarp and secure it right can make a huge difference if you’re stuck waiting on materials or adjusters.
Had to tarp my roof last fall after a branch punched through the shingles. I grabbed one of those blue tarps because it was cheap and easy, but it barely lasted a week before the wind tore it up. Ended up with water stains on the ceiling anyway. If I ever have to do it again, I’ll spend a little more for the thicker brown tarp and actually use some wood strips to hold it down. Lesson learned—cutting corners just cost me more in repairs.
That blue tarp is basically a last resort, in my experience. I tried the same thing after a hailstorm—figured it’d get me through until I could schedule repairs, but it shredded after the first windy night. The water still found its way in, and I ended up with a mess in the attic insulation.
If you’re dealing with anything more than a tiny patch, those heavy-duty brown or green tarps are worth the extra cost. I’d also recommend using 1x2 furring strips screwed down along the edges, not just nails or staples. The wind gets under even the best tarp if it’s not really secured.
One thing I learned: overlap the tarp so water runs off, not under. Sounds obvious, but when you’re on a ladder in the rain, it’s easy to miss. And yeah, cutting corners just means you’ll pay for it later... especially if your insurance company gets picky about “mitigating further damage.”
I’ve seen those blue tarps get shredded way too fast, especially on steeper roofs or if there’s any wind at all. Last fall, we covered a section with a green heavy-duty tarp and used 1x2s like you said—made a huge difference. I do think people underestimate how much water can sneak in if you don’t overlap the tarp right. It’s not a perfect fix, but if you’re waiting on a crew, it beats buckets in the attic.
Those blue tarps are basically disposable, especially if you get any wind gusts. I’ve seen folks staple them down and still end up with leaks. Overlapping is key, but also, don’t forget to check for pooling—water loves to find the tiniest gaps. Heavy-duty tarps with wood strips do hold up better, but it’s still just a stopgap. If you’re in a rainy area, even the best tarp job won’t last more than a few weeks before you start seeing issues.