How to Tarp a Roof Safely: Emergency Cover Steps

How to tarp a roof: only try it in dry, calm weather on a low, reachable roof with a helper and no power lines nearby. Lay the tarp over the damage and up past the ridge, fasten it with wood battens rather than bare nails, and book a roofer for the real repair.

On a steep, wet, icy or high roof, hire a professional.

How to tarp a roof: decide whether to do it yourself

A tarp is only a temporary cover to stop further water damage. It is not a repair. The first question is safety.

Condition	Safe to DIY?
Dry, low-pitch roof, helper present, fall protection	Possibly
Steep roof, wet, icy or windy	No
Two storeys or higher	Usually no
Power lines nearby	No
Damage near the edge or the ridge	Hire a pro
Large area of damage	Hire a pro

Quick facts: how to tarp a roof
Time needed	1 to 3 hours with help
Materials	Heavy-duty tarp, 1x4 or 2x4 battens, roofing screws or nails, rope
Difficulty	Hard and risky; many people should hire a professional
Best practice	Photograph the damage first for insurance

Before you start

1. Check the weather. Wait for dry, calm conditions. Never go on a wet or windy roof.
2. Photograph the damage from the ground, inside the attic and on the ceiling.
3. Contain interior water with buckets and towels, and move belongings.
4. Gather materials: a tarp large enough to extend at least four feet beyond the damaged area, up and over the ridge, plus battens and fasteners.

The method roofers use

1. Wear non-slip shoes and a harness attached to a secure anchor, and work with a helper holding the ladder.
2. Sweep away loose debris from the area.
3. Unroll the tarp over the damage, extending it up over the ridge if possible so that water cannot run beneath its top edge.
4. Wrap the edges around battens (a board rolled into the tarp edge) and screw or nail the battens through the roof into rafters. This spreads the force and avoids tearing the tarp.
5. Fasten battens along the top and sides, with the lower edge hanging over the eaves so water runs off.
6. Pull the tarp tight and flat, with no pockets that hold water.

What not to do

• Do not walk on a wet, icy or steep roof.
• Do not use a ladder near power lines.
• Do not use nails through the tarp without battens, which tear in wind.
• Do not leave it indefinitely. A tarp that stays too long can trap moisture and damage the roof.
• Do not skip the photos if you may claim on insurance.

Insurance

Many insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, which can include tarping or hiring a professional to do it. Keep receipts and photos, and tell your insurer promptly. Policies differ, so check yours.

After the tarp

Call a roofer to repair or replace the damaged section as soon as possible. If you wondered how to tarp a roof and managed it, the tarp has bought time, not fixed anything. Check it after wind and rain, and re-secure loose edges. Keep the receipts for materials or labour, and note the date you applied the tarp, because insurers often ask when temporary repairs were made.

When to call a professional

Call a roofer or an emergency tarping service if the damage is large, the roof is high or steep, or you are not comfortable working at height. Many roofers offer emergency tarping after storms, and a quick call often gets the cover on the same day, which can prevent a small leak turning into a ruined ceiling and wet insulation.

How to tarp a roof: a temporary cover that holds

When rain is coming and a repair is not yet possible, a tarp buys time. Use a heavy-duty tarp that is larger than the damaged area by at least three feet on each side. Fold the top edge over a board or a batten, then secure it with nails through a strip of wood rather than through the tarp grommets alone. Run the tarp up the roof and down over the ridge, and weigh the bottom edge with sandbags. Learning how to tarp a roof safely means working from a stable ladder and staying off a wet surface. Remove the tarp as soon as the permanent repair is done.

If the roof is steep, decide early whether how to tarp a roof is safe for you or whether a crew should do it.

Related reading

• Roof Inspection After Storm: Safe Checks, Evidence and Next Steps
• Practical Guide: How to Find Where a Roof Is Leaking
• What Does Hail Damage Look Like on Shingles? Signs and Checks
• Chimney Flashing Leak: How to Spot It and What Fixes It

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