The tornado that touched down this week wreaked havoc on our community, leaving numerous roofs exposed and vulnerable to further damage. If you’re in Temple, TX, and had shingles ripped off your roof, it’s crucial to take immediate action to protect your home from water damage and other elements. Properly tarping your roof is a temporary but essential measure until professional roofers can make permanent repairs. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly tarp your roof after a tornado.
1. Ensure Safety First
Before you start, assess the damage from the ground or a ladder with binoculars if necessary. Use caution when climbing onto your roof; wear sturdy shoes and consider using a safety harness if you have one. The most common way homeowners injure themselves is by falling off a ladder. If your roof is 2-Story or Steep, I don’t recommend a homeowner attempt this themselves. Give ROAM Roof & Solar a call and we would be happy to take care of it for you.
2. Gather Necessary Supplies
You’ll need the following materials:
- A large, heavy-duty tarp (preferably UV resistant) or a roll of synthetic underlayment.
- Roofing nails or screws
- 2×2 or 1×4 wooden planks or battens
- A hammer or screw gun
- A utility knife
- Ladder
- Good quality shoes that grip well (think skateboard shoes)
- Safety gloves and goggles
3. Document the damages before you cover them
Your insurance adjuster will need to be able to evaluate the damage to your roof, and this can be very difficult once everything is covered up. Ensure that you take lots of photos of the damage prior to covering it up with a tarp. Doing this will avoid unnecessary delays in getting coverage for your roof.
4. Lay Out the Tarp
Unroll the tarp over the damaged section of the roof. Ensure that it covers the entire area and extends past the edges of the damage. Position the tarp so that it overlaps the ridge of the roof if possible, providing a better seal against the elements. If this is not possible, you will want to break the adhesive seal on the course of shingles directly above the damaged area and tuck the tarp under those shingles.
5. Secure the tarp
Place your wooden planks along the edges of the tarp. Roll the edge of the tarp around the boards to create a secure anchor. Nail or screw the 2x4s to the roof, ensuring that the tarp is pulled tight. This prevents the wind from catching the tarp and causing it to lift. If you are using synthetic underlayment, you can secure it using cap nails. In areas prone to high winds, battens can be helpful. Just be sure to orient your battens up and down the slope of the roof so as to allow water to shed properly – creating a water dam with a board can and will lead to leaks.
6. Add Additional Fastening
For added security, nail or screw through the tarp along its perimeter, placing fasteners every 6-12”. This helps to keep the tarp snug against the roof and prevents it from flapping in the wind.
7. Check for Leaks
Once the tarp is in place, go inside your home and check for any leaks. If you find any areas where water is seeping through, use additional fasteners to secure the tarp more tightly or consider adding another layer of tarp for extra protection.
8. Contact Professional Roofers
Keep in mind, a tarp is only a temporary solution. Also, it is not something that should be taken lightly. This type of job can be very dangerous, and even deadly. If you are ever unsure about your ability to do this yourself, just stop and contact professional roofers like ROAM Roof & Solar. Your insurance will cover the costs associated with emergency tarping, so there is absolutely no reason to risk your life attempting a DIY tarp job. Our Roofing Specialists will assess and document the damage to your home, and help you navigate the claims process.
