Storms happen and sometimes when they do, a need for emergency roofing repairs can arise.

Unfortunately, it can take roof repair contractors some time to get to a customer’s home after a storm to assess the damage, especially if multiple homes in a neighborhood have storm damage.

When there is a wait before emergency roof repairs can be started, tarping the damaged area whenever possible can help.

Follow these simple instructions to cover the roof and protect it from further damage while waiting for a contractor to visit after the storm and assess the situation!

1. Assess the Damaged Area

After the weather has broken and a need for emergency roofing repairs has been determined, inspect the roof from the outside and attic to locate the damaged area that must be protected.

Using a safe ladder, homeowners with the ability to do so should also remove any limbs or other debris from their roofs so they can more easily inspect and assess the damage.

This information can be also relayed to emergency roof repair contractors to give them a preliminary idea of the extent of the damage present so they can begin working the customer into their post-storm repair schedule.

Also, if the roof is found to be severely damaged and unsafe, it is best to vacate the home until professional roofers can inspect the damage and make necessary repairs.

2. Measure The Damaged Area

Once the area in need of roof repairs has been located, carefully access it and measure it to determine the size and number of tarps necessary to cover it up.

Areas with missing shingles or panels, holes, and areas where water can get in should be completely covered up with tarps to prevent further damage while awaiting attention from a professional roofer.

3. Position Tarps To Cover The Damage

With enough tarps to cover the entire area needing emergency roofing repairs with at least a few feet of excess around it, start laying out the tarps.

Overlap seams by a few feet, tape them together, and lay the top portion of the tarps over a ridge line to make a water-resistant cover over damaged parts of the roof.

Lay the tarps so there are no gaps in the coverage, then use some 2x4s to weigh down the tarps while opening and positioning them.

4. Secure The Tarps To The Roof

Finally, with the tarps in position and held in place with 2x4s, complete the temporary roof repair by screwing or nailing the tarps to the roof on either side of the boards.

Secure around all sides of the tarps and throughout the middle so they lie flat against the roof and will not be easily blown off.

Then contact an emergency roof repair contractor to inform them of the damage and start making plans for having professional repairs made.

Try Tarping When In Need of Emergency Roofing Repairs

When a roof needs emergency roofing repairs after a storm, tarping over the damage can prevent further damage that worsens the problem.

Homeowners who have a safe way to get on their roofs to do this temporary roof repair can save themselves added expense by protecting their homes while they wait for a roofer.

A homeowner who keeps tarping supplies at the ready is a great help to the emergency roof repair contractors working hard to help multiple homeowners get their roofs fixed up after a damaging storm!