- Bungees can work in a pinch, but I’ve seen them snap or stretch out way too often. Midwest storms are no joke—maybe you just got lucky, or maybe your tarp was smaller and didn’t catch as much wind?
- Ratchet straps are a pain when you’re wet and cold, I’ll give you that. But if you want something to stay put for more than a day or two, especially on a steeper roof, they’re just more reliable.
- Flashing tape—yeah, there’s a huge difference between brands. Some of the cheaper stuff basically melts in the sun or gets brittle and peels. The higher-end tapes (like the ones used for window installs) usually hold up better, but even then, they’re not really meant for long-term exposure.
- Quick fixes:
• For leaks, I’ve seen folks use plastic sheeting tucked under shingles and weighted down with 2x4s—less likely to blow off than just bungees or tape.
• If you do use a tarp, try to get it under at least one row of shingles at the top edge so water can’t run underneath.
• Sandbags on the edges help if you don’t want to mess with straps at all (just don’t block gutters).
- Tarps will buy you time, but nothing’s truly “storm-proof” unless it’s properly fastened and sealed—and even then, wind finds a way sometimes.
- If you’re seeing leaks after a week with tape or bungees, probably time to step up to something more heavy-duty until you can get it fixed for real.
I’ve crawled around enough roofs after storms to see all kinds of “temporary” solutions turn into bigger headaches... Sometimes the quick fix is just about buying yourself a few dry days until the pros can get there.
I’ve seen tarps hold up for a week or two, but once the wind shifts or you get a heavy downpour, all bets are off. Even with ratchet straps, I’ve had water sneak in if the tarp wasn’t tucked under the shingles just right. Has anyone tried using that peel-and-stick ice shield stuff as a temporary patch? Wondering if it’s worth the hassle compared to just layering plastic and boards.
Peel-and-stick ice shield actually works better than most folks expect for a quick patch, especially if you can get the area dry enough for it to stick. It’s a lot less likely to blow off than a tarp, and you don’t have to mess with straps or boards. Downside is, it’s not cheap and can be a pain to remove later if you’re doing a full repair. I’ve used it on a couple of flat spots after hail—held up through some nasty storms. If you’re dealing with a steep pitch or lots of debris, though, it might not seal as well as you’d hope.
- Totally agree, peel-and-stick ice shield is way sturdier than a tarp.
- Tried a tarp last winter—wind just kept pulling it loose, even with bricks and straps.
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— yeah, that’s my only hesitation. I’m not looking forward to scraping it off when I finally get the pros in.“it’s not cheap and can be a pain to remove later if you’re doing a full repair”
- For my old asphalt shingles, it stuck fine after I dried things out with a leaf blower.
- Not sure I’d trust it on my steep side, though... water just finds its way in weird places there.
- Pricey, but honestly saved me from a bigger mess during spring storms.
Had a similar situation last December—flat roof on one of my duplexes started leaking right before a cold snap. I tried the tarp route first, but honestly, even with sandbags and rope, the wind just tore it up within a week. Ended up using peel-and-stick ice shield as a temporary patch. It’s true, it was a pain to get off when we did the full repair in spring, but it definitely kept water out during those storms. If you’re dealing with steep slopes though, I’d be extra cautious... water and gravity find every little gap.