QUICK FIX FOR ROOF LEAKS: DOES A TARP REALLY HOLD UP?

- Totally agree, tarps are just a stopgap.
- Had to use one on my asphalt shingle roof (also in tornado alley) and even with extra 2x4s and sandbags, wind still got under it.
- Water found its way in after a couple of storms - guess that’s just how it goes.
- Main upside: bought me enough time to get a roofer out, but yeah, still ended up with wet insulation and some drywall repairs.
- If you’ve got a steep pitch or lots of wind, it’s honestly a losing battle after a week or two...

I hear you on the wind - once it gets under the tarp, you’re pretty much done. I had a similar mess with my old three-tab shingles last spring. Even with a bunch of furring strips and heavy bricks, the gusts just peeled it back after a couple storms. It slowed the leak but didn’t stop it, and I still ended up pulling out soggy insulation later. Honestly, unless you can get a pro out fast or you’re dealing with a really mild climate, tarps are just damage control, not a fix. If you’re in tornado alley or anywhere with wild weather, I’d say focus on getting the actual repair lined up ASAP - tarps just buy you a little time, nothing more.

Tarps are really just a temporary band-aid, especially in areas with heavy wind or storms. I’ve seen folks use everything from sandbags to 2x4s to try to keep them down, but once the wind gets under, it’s game over. In my experience, if you need to tarp, make sure you anchor it along the edges and over the peak, not just the damaged area. Still, even the best tarp job won’t hold up long-term - water finds a way in eventually. Getting a proper repair lined up is the only real fix.

I get that tarps are just a stopgap, but honestly, if you’re on a tight budget like me, sometimes you’ve got no choice. I used a heavy-duty tarp and some cheap ratchet straps after a hailstorm last year, and it kept things dry for about two weeks - definitely not ideal, but it bought me time to save up for repairs. I do think folks underestimate how much wind can mess things up, though. Even with everything tied down, one good gust and you’re back to square one. I wish there was a better low-cost option for us who can’t afford instant repairs.

I’m with you on the wind issue - people really don’t get how quickly a tarp can turn into a sail if it’s not anchored just right. I had to tarp my own roof after a nasty storm last spring (asphalt shingles, midwest, so we get the whole mix: hail, wind, rain, you name it). I used a blue poly tarp at first, but it shredded in two days. Switched to a thicker “contractor grade” one from the hardware store, plus some 2x4s screwed down along the edges. That held up a lot better, but even then, a couple corners started to flap after a week of gusty weather.

Honestly, I haven’t found anything cheaper that works better for temporary fixes. I did see a neighbor use those adhesive roof patches - looked like big rubber sheets - but he said they were pricey and only covered small spots. I’ve wondered about using plastic sheeting under the tarp for an extra layer, but not sure if it’d just trap moisture and make things worse.

One thing that helped me was tucking the tarp under a few rows of shingles at the top, then screwing the 2x4s down over the tarp edges (right into the roof deck, which isn’t ideal, but desperate times…). It wasn’t pretty, but it survived a couple storms until I could get a roofer out. Still, I wish there was something more reliable that didn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Has anyone tried those “roof cement” patches or spray-on sealants for a bigger leak? I’ve only used the caulk tubes for tiny cracks, but I’m skeptical about anything that claims to seal up a whole section. Also, for folks in windy areas - any tricks for keeping tarps from flapping themselves to pieces? I feel like I’m missing some obvious hack...