Can I Tarp My Own Roof After Storm Damage?

Your roof has a hole, rain is coming, and your contractor can't get there until next week. Tarping is the right move — it stops further water damage while you wait for permanent repairs. But it needs to be done correctly, and it needs to be done safely. Here's everything you need to know.

Safety Warnings Before You Go Anywhere Near the Roof

This is not optional reading. Every year, people are seriously hurt climbing on roofs after storms. The conditions that make tarping necessary are the same ones that make roofs dangerous:

Wet surfaces. Asphalt shingles wet from rain have almost no traction. This is true even on moderate slopes. If it rained recently, assume the roof is slick.

Structural compromise. If a tree hit the roof, if you heard cracking, or if the ceiling inside shows any sag, the decking and framing below may be compromised. Stepping onto a weakened section can send you through the roof. Don't get on the roof if structural damage is possible.

Electrical lines. Storms move power lines. Before climbing anywhere near your roof, confirm that utility lines running to your home are intact and not downed or displaced. If any wires are near the damage area, call AEP Indiana (1-800-311-4634) before you go up.

Working alone. Never tarp alone. You need someone at the base of the ladder, holding it and able to call for help if you slip.

If any of these conditions apply, call a professional tarping service instead. This is not a situation where being stubborn saves money.

When DIY Is Reasonable

Safe to attempt yourself when:

- Damage is on a single-story or low-slope roof - The area to be covered fits one tarp (approximately 8x10 feet or smaller) - You have a stable extension ladder, a helper at the base, and non-slip footwear - The weather is currently calm — wind while tarping is dangerous - The decking feels solid when you step on it — no flex, no soft spots - No electrical lines are near the work area

When to Call a Professional Tarping Service

Call an emergency tarping service when:

- The roof is steep (7:12 pitch or greater) - The home is multi-story - Structural integrity is uncertain - Damage spans a large area or multiple locations - It's still raining or windy - You don't have a helper - There is any doubt at all

Professional emergency tarping in Fort Wayne typically costs $200 to $800 depending on the size of the area covered, pitch of the roof, and whether it's after hours. Weekend and evening calls run toward the higher end.

The good news: this cost is covered by most homeowner's insurance policies as emergency mitigation. Save your receipt, document the tarp installation with photos, and submit it with your claim. The insurance company wants you to prevent further damage — they'll pay for it.

What You Need and Where to Get It in Fort Wayne

If you're going to DIY, gather these materials before you go up:

The tarp: Use a heavy-duty polyethylene tarp, minimum 6 mil thickness. Thinner tarps tear in wind and fail faster. Size up — you want at least 4 feet of overhang on all sides of the damaged area. A 12x16 tarp covers an 8x8 damage area with proper overlap.

Lumber for securing: Several 2x4 boards, 8 feet long, for weighting the tarp edges and anchoring through the tarp into the decking.

Fasteners: 3-inch deck screws. You need these to fasten the 2x4 boards through the tarp into the roof decking. Do not rely on weights alone — wind will get under the tarp and lift it.

Drill: For driving deck screws quickly.

Utility knife: For trimming tarp if needed.

Where to buy in Fort Wayne:

- Menards — 4410 Lima Rd and 6101 Illinois Rd. Tarps, lumber, fasteners all in one stop. Typically has heavy tarps in multiple sizes on the shelf. - Lowe's — 4210 Lima Rd. Good selection of heavy poly tarps. - Home Depot — 4701 Coldwater Rd. Similar selection to Lowe's.

All three are open early and well-stocked after storms, though heavy tarps sell out quickly after significant weather events. Call ahead if it's been a major storm.

How to Tarp Properly

Done wrong, a tarp does nothing — or worse, creates pooling that concentrates water in the wrong place.

1. Position the tarp correctly. The tarp should extend upslope past the damage area and reach over the ridge if possible — never stop the tarp in the middle of a slope where water will pond behind it. The top edge of the tarp should be at or above the roof peak.

2. Secure the top edge first. Take a 2x4 board and fold the top edge of the tarp over it, then position it along the decking above the damage (or over the ridge). Drive 3-inch screws through the board, through the tarp, and into the decking every 12 to 18 inches. This anchors the tarp against upward wind lift.

3. Pull the tarp taut and secure all edges. Use additional 2x4 boards on the side and bottom edges, screwed through the tarp into the decking. The tarp should be tight with no loose sections that can billow in wind.

4. Ensure no pooling. A taut tarp on a pitched surface should shed water naturally. Check for any low spots or wrinkles that would hold water.

What won't work: Sandbags or rocks alone. Wind gets under any tarp not mechanically fastened, and a loose tarp can peel additional shingles as it flaps or acts as a sail.

How Long Will a Tarp Last?

A properly installed heavy-duty tarp with secured edges should hold through normal weather for 2 to 4 weeks without issue. However:

- UV exposure degrades poly tarps. A blue poly tarp in direct summer sun starts to fail within 30 to 45 days. - Wind events can stress even a well-fastened tarp. Check after any wind over 30 mph. - Debris and foot traffic accelerate wear.

Check the tarp after every rain. Look from the attic — if insulation below the tarped area is wet, the tarp has failed or water is routing around it. A failed tarp needs immediate re-tarping or replacement.

If permanent repairs won't happen for more than a month, consider upgrading to a tarp with UV protection or having a contractor install synthetic underlayment over the damaged area, which is more durable and performs as a semi-permanent temporary fix.

Why Insurance Covers Emergency Tarping

Your homeowner's policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage after a covered loss. Tarping directly fulfills that obligation. Most policies cover emergency mitigation costs — tarps, materials, and professional tarping labor — under their "protection from further damage" provisions, separate from the main repair claim.

Keep every receipt. Document the tarp installation with dated photos before and after. When you file your repair claim, include the mitigation costs as a line item. If your adjuster questions it, you can point to your policy's mitigation language.

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If your roof has an opening right now — or you're not sure whether the damage is serious enough to warrant immediate action — give us a call. We can talk you through what needs to happen and dispatch if it's urgent. Get a free assessment or call (260) 255-4551.