Hurricane Tarps

In a hurricane, a tarp can serve as a temporary patch on a roof and can protect objects from water and debris. Although a tarp may not save everything, it will reduce damage and debris considerably. If used to protect a vehicle or boat, the tarp will shield against water damage and debris but it will not protect against significant damage, such as a fallen tree. A tarp for a roof can be used as temporary protection against leaks and damages done by the hurricane until a contractor or roofer can come to fix the damage done by the hurricane. In addition, a tarp on a roof can protect the inside of the house from further damage and devaluing from water and other debris.

Tarping a roof preserves the house and roof for the option of future rebuilding. A tarp will provide temporary coverage on a roof for up to 90 days. At that point, seeking professional help to fix the roof is necessary. When tarping a roof, never stand on a roof if it is steeply pitched or a tarp and do not go out on a roof during a storm.

Covering a roof with a tarp involves not only a tarp but also several 2x4 pieces of wood, a hammer, and 3.25 inch nails. To tarp a roof, first unroll or unfold enough tarp to cover the leaking section with an additional four feet of tarp on each end. The tarp should be cut to fit the length of the damage plus the four feet on each end. One end of the tarp should be wrapped in a 2x4 that is two feet longer than the width of the tarp. Both the tarp and the 2x4 should be against the roof before nailing down the 2x4. Another 2x4 should be used to sandwich the tarp, and the two 2x4s should be nailed together. The loose end of the tarp should now be stretched over the ridge of the roof and down to the other side. This end should be rolled with a 2x4 and then sandwiched with another 2x4 like the other side. Both should be nailed down. For the sides of the tarp, nail down additional wood strips ten inches apart but the tarp does not need to be rolled around these 2x4s.

Aside from a roof, a tarp can protect other objects during a hurricane. A tarp can also be used as a temporary covering for a window to reduce debris entering the house. It can also cover a car or a truck or a seed store against high wind, rain, and debris. However, a tarp will not protect against heavy debris, such as large flying objects.

A tarp used in a hurricane should be durable, made of high density polyethylene or canvas. The material should be 100% resistant to water, grease, and dust and should be flexible enough not to get ripped in the wind. Typically, a hurricane tarp will have a 10x10 weave count, weigh 4.6 oz. per square yard, and be 7.1 mil thick. All sizes are carried to fit various size homes, objects, and structures.