What does an emergency tarp actually do?
A tarp keeps rain off an open section of roof and gives the damaged area time to dry. It is a temporary cover, not a repair, and it is only as good as the way it is fixed.
A roof tarp is laid over the damage and fixed around its edges, usually with battens and sandbags or weights. The tarp sheds rain away from the opening and prevents the water from reaching the decking and the rooms below. A tarp that is fixed badly can be lifted by wind and do more harm than no tarp at all.
The tarp does not stop the damage from getting worse over time. Wet decking can rot, and wet insulation can lose its value. The tarp is the first step, and the permanent repair follows.
Is it safe to tarp a roof after a storm?
It is not safe for most homeowners to climb a roof after a storm. Shingles can be loose, the decking can be soft and the roof can be slippery. A trained crew checks the access before anyone walks the roof.
The safest approach is to stay off the roof and call a crew. If the damage is above the reach of a ladder, the crew will use the proper equipment and fix the tarp from a secure point. A homeowner who is tempted to climb should not do so, and should keep people and pets away from the area under the damage.
Storm damage can also leave debris on the roof, such as a branch or sheet metal, that moves when stepped on. Those are hazards that a crew is trained to handle, and a homeowner is not.
What should a homeowner do while the crew is on the way?
Protect the interior, turn off power to any wet area at the panel if it is safe to do so, move valuables and place a bucket or a tray under the drips. Do not touch a fitting that is wet, and do not stand on a wet floor under a ceiling leak.
A bucket or a tray under the lowest drip catches most of the water. Furniture and rugs should be moved, and electronics should be unplugged if they are in the path of a leak. A towel or a sheet of plastic over a bed or a sofa can keep the worst of the water off.
The homeowner should note the time the damage was first seen, and photograph it from inside and, if safe, from the yard. These notes help the crew and the insurer later.
How long can a tarp stay on a roof?
A tarp is a temporary measure, and it should be replaced by a permanent repair as soon as the schedule allows. The technician states how long the tarp is expected to hold and when it should be checked.
Tarps are weathered by sun and wind, and their fixings loosen over time. A tarp left on for several weeks without a check can tear or lift, so the report sets a date for the next check.
The permanent repair is planned from the inspection, and the tarp is removed when the repair is made. Until then the tarp is the homeowner's line of defense, and the technician will check it when asked.
Does emergency tarping count toward an insurance claim?
Emergency protection is often part of what an insurer expects after storm damage. The insurer decides what is covered under the policy, and the homeowner should keep the receipt and the photographs of the tarp.
Many homeowners policies expect the homeowner to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a loss, and a tarp is one of the most common steps. The policy sets the terms, and this page does not say what it will cover.
The technician's note records the date, the damage found, the cover fitted and the condition of the interior. That note and the photographs are the record the homeowner can send to the insurer, along with the receipt for the tarp.
