Roofs are vital to the protection of your house, so if you have a leak in yours it is important that it be fixed as soon as possible. There are many reasons why roofs can spring leaks – from poor installation or damage due to weather.
A leaky roof is a major headache for any homeowner. Not only are you constantly worrying about your home being damaged, but it can also have an adverse effect on the resale value of your house.
The good news is that there are temporary fixes to help get you by until you can get professional assistance with repairing or replacing the roof.
One popular option is to use a tarp over the hole in the roof while the problem gets fixed. We will go into detail below on how to do this and what other options are available if using tarps doesn’t work out for you!
Simple Easy Steps on Fixing a Leaky Roof With a Tarp
Here are the easy steps on how to fix a leaky roof with a tarp:
Step 1: Take off any furniture or decor that is in the area of where you are patching. This will make it easier to clean up once you are done. Also, be careful not to damage anything when putting the tarp over the hole itself!
Step 2: Cut a piece of plastic sheeting large enough so that it hangs down on all sides about six inches. Tape the sheeting to your roof along one of the long sides and make sure that it is stretched taught.
Trim off any excess plastic using a box cutter or utility knife, making sure to leave an extra six inches on all sides
Step 3: Pull up and tape down (using more duct tape) another piece of plastic sheeting over top of the first sheeting that you put up. This will create a double layer of plastic for extra protection
Step 4: Take care to not leave any sharp edges when cutting your tarp, since this could puncture another hole in your roof! If it does happen, make sure to patch it right away with duct tape or even use some tarps as a temporary fix.
Be sure to use a tarp that will withstand the weather that you are in! If it is raining, then make sure your plastic sheeting does not get wet or else this can cause further damage to your roof.
If you want to be extra careful with your roof, then consider having a second tarp ready just in case the first one gets punctured.
Different Types of Tarps to Repair a Leaking Roof
There are many kinds of tarps that work well for patching a leaking roof. The most popular ones include:
Canvas Tarp – Canvas tarps tend to be the heaviest weight and can absorb more rain, but they do provide extra insulation from cold weather as well as protection from sunlight.
Plastic Tarps – Plastic tarps tend to be the most popular kind of tarp for temporary roof patching. They are lightweight, can handle moisture well and come in a variety of sizes depending on your needs.
Vinyl Tarps – Vinyl tarps provide you with insulation from cold weather as well as protection from sunlight but they do not absorb water easily so rain can pass through them.
Things to Consider in Selecting a Patch to a Leaky Roof
There are many things to keep in mind when selecting the right type of tarp that will work well with your leaking roof. Some of these include:
Size – Be sure that you choose a tarp that is large enough to cover the entire hole in your roof. It should also be long and wide enough so it doesn’t rip when lifted up under the weight of any snow or rain
Material – Plastic, canvas and vinyl are all popular choices for temporary roof patching jobs but each has their pros and cons depending on your needs.
For example, plastic tarp are lightweight but they do not offer much insulation whereas canvas tarps tend to be the heaviest weight and can absorb more moisture
Price – Be sure that you choose a price point within your budget so that you don’t go over what you can afford and so your roofing project is not delayed.
Other Patches and Fixes for Leaking Roofs
If using a tarp over the hole in your roof annoys you or causes more issues than it fixes, then consider some other options instead. Some patches that are commonly used include:
Rubber Sheeting – is very easy to work with. You can cut it or bend it easily and since it’s waterproof, rain won’t get through so this is perfect for short term fixes.
Foam Board – are very lightweight, waterproof and easy to cut so you can make them fit over any sized hole in your roof. They will keep out moisture but they do not provide insulation from cold weather nor protection from the sun’s rays.
Shingles – can be purchased to replace any old ones on your roof that are damaged.
Tar Paper – is a thick sheet of paper designed to protect your roof from water damage and ice buildup in winter.
It will not be able to insulate you against extreme cold, but it does provide some protection against wind while still being lightweight enough for the job! If using tar paper, make sure you overlap your seams by at least three inches.
Felt Paper – is very similar to tar paper, but it does not have that distinct “tar” smell and it’s much easier to attach to your roof than other heavy materials like shingles or tar paper!
It provides excellent insulation against the cold weather as well as protection from sunlight.
Metal Sheets – can be used to patch your roof if you need something more heavy duty than the other patches listed above.
It is usually made of aluminum, steel or galvanized iron and will require extra tools for installation so it might not be ideal for beginners!
Make sure that once installed, there are no spaces between the sheet and your roof so rain will not be able to get through.
If none of these options work for you, then consider hiring a professional roofer to come out and fix your leaky roof!
What are some other methods on how to temporarily patch up a leaking roof?
There are many different ways in which people have used as temporary fixes for their roofs. Some of these include:
Using a Broken Umbrella – Since umbrellas are made with waterproof material, many people have used them as temporary roof patching.
However, this method is not very effective because the water can still drip through the holes in your umbrella and onto your ceiling or walls
Wooden Boards/Boards and Nails– This is an easy temporary fix but the boards will need to be replaced often and they do not provide much insulation
Plastic Sheeting– Plastic sheeting comes in a variety of sizes so you can easily find one that fits your leaking roof. However, this is not very effective for long term use because it does not hold up well over time if left outside.
Using Sandbags – This is a temporary fix that will need to be done over and over again. It can cause extra strain on your roofing material if too many bags are used so it’s best not to use this method for more than a couple days at most.
Final Thoughts
So now you know how to temporarily patch a leaky roof with a tarp.
You can avoid costly repairs and protect your home from further damage by following the few simple steps and the different types of materials available, such as the ones listed in the blog post content above.
Use this information when making your decision on which one is best for you.
