An emergency tarp is typically large in size, designed to cover a roof and prevent additional damage from occurring. Tarps serve as an immediate temporary solution to the problem of a damaged roof. Emergency tarps also protect the home along with the roof while the outdoor elements change. You can remove the tarp once it is safe to begin fixing the roof.

For starters, bad weather conditions should prompt you to get an emergency tarp to cover your roof. Heavy rain, strong wind, hail, ice and snow can dislodge and destroy roofs. Another scenario would be when an act if vandalism occurs. Home intruders will look for weakened access points, and they may walk on your roof, which can cause damage. Also, if you are scheduling to get your roof repaired, it’s wise to have an emergency tarp on hand as a precautionary measure.

When your roof sustains damage, not just any kind of tarp will do! Emergency tarps are made of high-grade materials. These tarps are also known as heavy-duty tarps. You will typically see these tarps used for agricultural and industrial purposes. The materials that make up these tarps include various fibers that are durable and can withstand the toughest weather conditions.

Most roof tarps will generally last a couple weeks. Depending on how severe the weather conditions are in your area, emergency tarps can last either shorter or longer periods of time. Roof tarps are ultimately a temporary solution to damaged roofs, and it is ideal to contact a roofing company as soon as possible to repair the roof.

Sometimes damage to your roof is not made obvious on the roof itself. After a severe storm or natural disaster, the first room in your home that will be penetrated will be the attic. When you have a leak that is undetected, the clear sign of this is a humid attic. After inspecting your attic, if you believe it is compromised due to water damage, immediately get an emergency tarp to minimize further damage.

Your personal safety is the biggest reason why professionals should cover your damaged roof. Any roof that is compromised in any way is too dangerous to be walking on, whether or not you are a professional roofer. There may be some hidden weaknesses in the roof that you can’t see, and any missed step can result in further damage to the roof and harm to you. Safety must come first!

After a severe storm causes damage to your roof, emergency tarping that prevents further damage is both required by and fully covered by most home insurance companies. Payment is usually refunded in a time frame from 30 to 90 days. Emergency tarping also comes with a 30-day warranty on all the materials and workmanship involved in the installation of the tarp. The warranty begins on the day of the tarp installation.

There are a few factors to consider before choosing the right kind of tarp. Heavy-duty tarps are best used on roofs because they are specifically designed to have a thickness of 12 or more mils. (Mil thickness is a common manufacturing measurement. A mil amounts to 0.001 inches.) Most standard tarps are generally only 5 mils thick. A heavier tarp is more appropriate for roofing projects in areas prone to bad weather conditions. Heavy-duty tarps are also waterproof, mildew-proof and rust-resistant. Lighter tarps can’t hold heavy amounts of water after a severe storm. Many tarps are not made out of polyethylene fibers, which heavy-duty tarps contain to fight off mildew. Lastly, check the tarp’s grommets. If the grommets aren’t rust-resistant, then your roof won’t have the security a heavy-duty tarp provides.