“Tarps are more about buying you a couple days than actually stopping leaks for any real length of time.”
Is it just me, or does the type of tarp make a difference? I used one of those heavy-duty blue ones from the hardware store and it actually held up for almost a month during a rainy spring. Maybe luck, or maybe my roof’s not as steep as some, but I didn’t have to anchor every corner with bricks either. Wondering if anyone’s tried those “roofing tarps” with the reinforced edges—are they any better, or just marketing?
Those blue tarps from the hardware store are basically the duct tape of roofing emergencies—cheap, everywhere, and surprisingly tough when you need ‘em. I’ve slapped those things on all sorts of roofs after storms, and sometimes they’ll hang in there for weeks if the wind isn’t nuts. Had one job last year where a guy’s old ranch roof was leaking like crazy after a hailstorm. We threw up a blue tarp as a quick fix, figuring it’d buy him a few days until we could get materials. Thing held up almost six weeks—his neighbor joked it looked better than his actual shingles.
But I do think the kind of tarp matters, especially if your roof’s got any pitch to it or you’re expecting wild weather. The “roofing tarps” with reinforced edges and grommets are definitely sturdier. They’re usually thicker (like 10 or 12 mil instead of 5 or 6), so they don’t shred as fast when the wind picks up. The reinforced edges help keep them from tearing at the anchor points, which is where most tarps fail first in my experience.
Not saying they’re magic—if you’ve got a steep roof or live somewhere with high winds (looking at you, Oklahoma), nothing short of an actual repair will hold forever. But I’ve seen those specialty tarps stay put longer than the blue ones, especially if you use those wood strips to screw them down along the edges instead of just bricks or rocks.
Curious—has anyone tried those white shrink-wrap style covers? Saw one used on a big commercial building after a tornado and it looked pretty slick, but I haven’t seen them much on houses yet. Wondering if that’s overkill for regular storm damage or actually worth it for folks waiting on insurance…
I’ve had my share of blue tarp adventures—living in central Texas, it’s almost a rite of passage. The cheap ones from the big box stores are a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch, but I’ve noticed they start to fray pretty quick, especially if you’ve got any kind of wind or sun beating down. Last spring, we had a freak hailstorm that tore up my asphalt shingles. I went with one of those thicker “roofing tarps” with the reinforced edges after my neighbor’s regular tarp ripped clean off in the first thunderstorm. That thing stayed put for nearly two months, even after a couple more storms rolled through. I anchored it with furring strips and screws along the eaves and ridge—made a huge difference compared to just tossing some bricks up there, which I tried once and regretted immediately.
I’m kind of skeptical about the shrink-wrap covers for residential roofs, though. They look slick on commercial buildings, but I wonder how practical they are for a typical house, especially if you’re dealing with odd angles or chimneys poking through. Plus, I’d imagine getting one installed isn’t exactly cheap or DIY-friendly. Has anybody actually priced those out for a single-family home? I can see the appeal if you’re waiting months on insurance or contractor backlog, but maybe it’s overkill if you just need to bridge a week or two.
Also curious if anyone’s tried those heavy-duty canvas tarps? I keep seeing them pop up online as “reusable” options, but I’m not sure how they’d handle water pooling or UV exposure long-term. My gut says they’d be better for shade than keeping rain out, but maybe I’m missing something there...
Had a tenant try the canvas tarp route after a branch punched through their roof—looked sturdy at first, but after two weeks of Texas sun and one good rain, it was leaking like a sieve. I’m with you, they seem better for shade than storms. Has anyone actually seen those shrink-wraps in person? I keep picturing my house looking like a giant sandwich.
- Canvas tarps just don’t cut it for roof leaks, especially with our sun and those sideways Texas rains.
- Seen a few shrink-wrap jobs—honestly, they look weird but do the trick for a few months. Think giant saran-wrapped leftovers, but less appetizing.
- Main thing: shrink-wraps seal tighter around vents and edges, so water’s got fewer ways in.
- Downside? Not cheap, and if you’ve got a steep roof, it’s not really DIY-friendly.
- If you’re waiting on insurance or a roofer, shrink-wrap’s probably your best bet for keeping things dry... just don’t expect curb appeal.