How to Tarp a Roof Safely, and When Not To

Updated 2026-10-24 · Sources checked

"Just tied a sand bag every few feet on the tarp. Yes, the tarp moved on heavy, windy days, but it was easy enough to adjust."

That is a commenter in a roofing thread, describing their own tarp job. A roof tarp is a temporary cover, not a repair. It is a large tarp draped over the roof ridge, the peak where the slopes meet, and secured tightly at the edges¹. It buys time until a roofer can fix the roof. The risky part is the climb, so the first question is whether to go up at all: avoid getting on the roof whenever the work can be done from a ladder or other stable platform².

Quick answer:

Photograph or video the damage before anything covers it.
Stay off the roof if you can, and ask a roofer you chose to cover it.
Water coming in: put a bucket under it and move belongings away.
Check your deductible, then report the damage to your insurer with your photos ready.

On this page

Can you tarp the roof yourself, or should you stay off it?
Photograph the damage before anything covers it
What should the tarp do?
How long does a roof tarp last, and what does it cost?
The order that protects you and your claim
While you wait for a roofer: safe steps from inside
Don't let a tarp job turn into a sales pitch
If you can't go up safely
Quick questions

Nothing below walks you up the roof. It covers what to ask a roofer and what you control tonight, all from the ground: photos, a dry floor and a short list of calls.

Can you tarp the roof yourself, or should you stay off it?

Stay off it if you can. The climb is the dangerous part of the job, not the tarp itself. Snow, ice or wind on the roof is a clear sign to stay down. Working on a roof with snow, ice, or wind carries a risk of a fall onto the roof or off it, and such falls are often fatal³. Closer damage assessment and repairs should be done by a professional roofing contractor⁴, so a pro is the safer person to put the cover up.

Cover and protect what you can reach from inside, as the "while you wait" steps below show.

Not going up on a wet roof, so who does the job? What to ask a roof tarping service before signing.

Photograph the damage before anything covers it

Photograph or videotape the damage, then take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage⁵. Do the photos first, because a tarp hides exactly what an adjuster, the insurer's inspector, needs to see.

Insurers expect those steps too. In California, a homeowners policy may not cover further damage if you did not take reasonable steps to secure the property⁶. This part is in your hands.

Save receipts for what you spend⁵, since you may be able to submit them for reimbursement later.

Wondering what comes after the photos if you file a claim? What to do, in order, for a roof insurance claim.

What should the tarp do?

The tarp has to go all the way to the ridge. The cover goes over the roof ridge and is secured tightly at the edges¹, so a tarp that stops short of the peak leaves a gap for rain.

A loose edge is where water finds a way under the tarp. One commenter put the worry bluntly: "It also is open to being ripped to shreds by a little bit of wind". How the edges are held down, with boards, screws or sandbags, depends on your roof and your wind. Ask the roofer which method they will use and why, and how they will check it after the next storm.

How long does a roof tarp last, and what does it cost?

A tarp is meant for the short term, and nobody can promise a date. In North Carolina, the advice for historic houses is to aim for a temporary repair that lasts at least six months¹, which leaves time for a careful assessment. That is a target, not a guarantee.

The price depends on the roof and who does the work. Ask for it in writing before anyone starts.

Once the tarp holds, how do you fix the hole itself? Fixing a hole in the roof without climbing up.

The order that protects you and your claim

Stay safe and document. Photograph or video the damage first. Make only temporary fixes, and keep every receipt.
Prepare. Check your policy's deductible, the amount you pay yourself before insurance pays. A wind and hail deductible can be set as a percentage, typically from 1 percent to 5 percent⁷, so the amount you pay can be large. If you are unsure the damage is bigger than your deductible, a written estimate from a roofer you chose helps you decide whether to claim⁸.
Make the first call. Report the damage to your insurer promptly, with your questions ready and names and dates written down. Or call a roofer you picked yourself, never one who showed up uninvited.
Let the adjuster see it. A tarp is a temporary repair: don't make permanent repairs until your insurance company sees the damage⁹.

While you wait for a roofer: safe steps from inside

An open hole or water coming in comes first.

Put a bucket or tub under the drip, and move furniture and belongings away from the wet spot.
Dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth¹⁰.
If the roofer can't come today, keep catching and drying water, make only temporary fixes after the photos, and look again from the ground and the attic after the next rain.

Don't let a tarp job turn into a sales pitch

Be skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean-up or repairs¹¹. A tarp is a small, temporary job. In Texas, putting a tarp on your roof is a temporary repair that protects your house⁹, so the warning sign is pressure to sign for more, not an offer to cover the hole.

The suspicion is easy to understand. A commenter in another roofing thread put it this way: "Well my issue is the tarp was him getting the sale". Choose the roofer yourself, and keep the tarp job separate from any bigger proposal until you have seen the photos and the price. If a roofer will tarp only if you sign for the whole repair, you can say no and ask another roofer, and don't pay the full amount for the project up front¹². You can send this:

Please price the tarp separately from any repair, and send that price in writing before you start.

If you can't go up safely

Have these ready before you call anyone:

Photos or video of the damage, taken before any cover went on.
The date the damage happened and what you have done since, with receipts.
Your deductible and the questions you want to ask.
A written price for the work, before it starts.

Quick questions

What is the best tarp to put on a roof?

Choose sheeting that is non-reflective and has a textured surface, which reduces slips¹³. Beyond that, ask the roofer what size and thickness fit your roof.

Can you tarp a roof without nails?

Some people hold a tarp down with sandbags, but how well that works depends on your roof and the wind. Ask the roofer to explain the method, and don't accept a promise that it will never move.

Should I throw out damaged shingles or belongings?

If possible, avoid throwing out damaged items until the adjuster has visited your home⁵. Keep them somewhere dry, since they show what came off.

Is a tarp a permanent fix?

No. It buys time, and the lasting repair still needs a professional. Ask for a written estimate while the tarp is on, so you can plan the real repair.