I hear you on the blue tarp situation—mine looked like it’d hold, then a squirrel decided to test its limits. Next thing I know, I’m chasing it across my yard in the rain. Honestly, I’m starting to think those “heavy-duty” ones are worth the extra bucks, especially with these southern storms. But hey, at least your tarp’s keeping most of the water out for now... mine just gave up after week two.
Had a similar run-in last spring—thought my tarp job was solid, but a raccoon had other plans. Woke up to the sound of water dripping in the hallway and found the little guy had clawed right through it. I’ve tried both the cheap blue tarps and the pricier “contractor grade” ones, and honestly, the heavy-duty ones do hold up better, especially if you’re dealing with more than just rain (critters, wind, flying branches... you name it).
One thing I learned: it’s all about how tight you get it and what you anchor it to. If there’s any slack, water pools and eventually finds a way in. I’ve seen folks use old boards or even bricks to weigh down the edges, but if you can screw in some furring strips, that seems to last longer. Still, even the best tarp is just a band-aid—nothing beats getting those shingles or tiles fixed for real. But yeah, for a quick fix? Go heavy-duty if you can swing it.