It isn’t uncommon for roofs to end up with a few missing shingles after a storm with strong gusts of wind. In some cases, strong storms may cause even more damage to the area underneath your shingles. When this happens, there’s a good chance your home will experience leaks in the areas where the shingles are missing. This scenario often requires the help of an experienced roof repair service like Muller Exteriors. However, you can’t allow the leak to go unrepaired for too long as even a small leak can lead to extensive water damage to the interior of your home.
If you are facing issues with a leaking roof, you may want to apply a tarp roof cover as a temporary fix until your contractor can make the necessary repairs. This quick step-by-step guide will how to cover a roof with tarp safely with good results:
Gather Your Materials
You’ll need to head to your local hardware store to buy some materials:
● Tarp – Must be large enough to extend past the damaged area by at least three inches on all sides. The thicker the tarp, the better it will be at preventing water from entering your home.
● 1×4 Plywood – Enough to cover the perimeter of the tarp you purchased plus 4 inches extra.
● 3/8 Plywood sheets – Only necessary if there are punctured sections on your roof.
● 2-inch Deck screws – Ensure your drill has the correct bit for the screws purchased.
Always Have an Extra Pair of Hands Available
Climbing and working on your roof presents a significant fall hazard. Make sure you always have at least two people to help you out. One of your assistants may help you out on the roof. This will come in handy as you lay out the tarp. Your other set of helping hands may stay on the ground and help keep the ladder steady as you ascend and descend. This set up reduces extra movements, minimizing the chances of falling. Additionally, you’ll want to wear appropriate footwear to provide your feet with a better grip on roof shingles or tiles.
Clean Off Debris and Unfurl the Tarp
Carefully remove any leftover debris from the damaged area as these may puncture your tarp. If there are large holes on your roof, now is also the best time to cover these up with the 3/8 plywood sheets your purchased. Once the work area is clear, remove the tarp from its packaging. Grab one corner of the tarp and have your helper grab the opposite corner. As you both pull away, the tarp will unfurl itself quite nicely. Spread the tarp over the damaged area as flat as possible.
Secure the Tarp with 1×4 Plywood
Now, we’ll discuss how to cover a leaky roof with tarp. Lay 1×4 plywood beneath the edges of the tarp. You’ll want to do this for the sides and the edge closest to the crown of your roof. Secure the tarp to the plywood using nails and a hammer. Once fastened, roll the tarp over the plywood several times to ensure the tarp holds nice and tight. Repeat this for the three aforementioned sides of the tarp.
After the tarp is secured to the plywood, take your drill and deck screws. Carefully align the screws to the plywood and drill into place. You’ll want the screws to go through the tarp, the plywood, the tarp again, and into your roof. This secures your makeshift barrier from any gusts of wind.
Once you’ve secured all three sides, take some more 1×4 plywood to be applied to the edge closer to the ground. Directly place the plywood over the tarp and screw straight into the roof. This will help minimize the chances of precipitation entering your home as it rolls down your roof.
Secure All Tools Before Descending
Do a thorough sweep of the entire work area and remove all tools. Be sure to remove any nails, screws, and the like, especially on roofs with dark colored shingles. This is important as even a tiny nail can cause serious injury in the event a strong gust of wind blows it off your roof and hits a passer-by below.
After you’ve collected all your tools and equipment, lower these down to your second assistant on the ground. This will help keep you hands-free as you descend. Make sure your assistant has placed the tools at least five feet away from the ladder before descending from your roof.
Call a Professional Roof Repair Contractor
Keep in mind that placing tarp on your damaged roof is strictly a temporary fix in the event a roofer cannot work on your roof immediately. Although the tarp can prevent further leaks, it is not water-tight, and will eventually allow water to pass through the gaps over time. If you haven’t done so, now is the time to call a roofing service, like Muller Exteriors, to inspect your roof. These professionals can help identify the extent of the damage your roof has sustained and provide the necessary repairs to help protect your home.
SOURCES:
http://thehtrc.com/2013/diy-emergency-roof-tarping
https://todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-attach-a-tarp-to-a-leaking-storm-damaged-roof/
