Roof Tarping

What Is Roof Tarping?

Roof tarping covers a breached roof area with heavy polyethylene sheeting so rain cannot reach the decking and interior while the claim and permanent repair are arranged. Done correctly, the tarp extends well past the damage on all sides and over the ridge where possible, so water sheds over — never under — the upper edge; it is fastened with wood furring strips screwed through the tarp into decking rather than loose bricks or sandbags, which shift in wind. Standard poly tarps are ultraviolet-degradable and are generally treated as a measure for weeks, not a season. Under most property policies, tarping falls under the policyholder's duty to mitigate further damage, and reasonable tarping costs are commonly reimbursable when documented with receipts and photographs of the underlying damage taken before covering it. Tarping over wet decking should be noted, since trapped moisture can worsen rot if the tarp stays on too long.

Important Distinction

Note: A tarp is mitigation, not repair: it protects the claim and the interior, and a properly installed tarp is typically expected to serve for weeks, not months.

Also Known As

These are the search terms and phrases that commonly refer to this topic, so you can find it however you describe it.