Has your roof started leaking after a heavy storm? You’ll have to call your insurance agent as soon as possible. Then you’ll have to proceed to perform some emergency roof repair to prevent the damage from getting worse. 

The best temporary solution to a roof leak is to cover the area with a heavy-duty tarp. But in case of a storm, we’d not recommend you to do this yourself. You can easily fall off the roof as it’ll be slippery after a storm. Try to contact a licensed roofing company who can help in an emergency

roof repair.

If in an extreme situation, you cannot get hold of a roofing company, and you need to fix the damage yourself, I’ll tell you how to proceed with caution. Below are 5 steps you need to follow in order to place a tarp on your roof safely.

1. Examine the Damage

To get started, take a ladder, wear non-slippery shoes and go on your roof to examine the extent of the damage. Do this only after the heavy winds and rain has stopped. 

You might have to clean away some dirt and debris scattered on the roof before you start examining the area. Try measuring the size of the affected area as we’ll need to buy a tarp that extends past the damaged area by at least 3 feet on each side.

2. Buy Tarp and Other Tools

Go to the store and buy the tarp and other essential tools. Your tarp needs to extend past the damaged area by a good 3 feet on all sides that include the bottom and the ridge. This way it’ll hang over the ridge of the roof and the water will roll onto the tarp smoothly, without getting beneath it. It should also be UV resistant and the thicker, the better.

Other than the tarp, you’ll need something to hold the tarp in place. You can buy cap nails, a hammer or a drill machine and a few pieces of lumber. 

3. Consider all Safety Measures 

Now before starting the actual repair, check if you have all the necessary safety equipment like a strong ladder, thick gloves, a helmet, protective glasses, non-slip boots, and a high visibility vest. Make sure the weather is safe enough for you to stay on the roof without falling. If you feel the surface is slippery or steep, try to wait for a professional. 

Once you get ready to tarp the roof, make sure you carry everything with you to reduce trips up and down the ladder. Also, be careful not to step on the tarp as it can be extremely slippery.

4. Position & Secure the Tarp

Start by positioning the tarp as it covers the damaged area with 3 feet left on each side. Then we’ll secure it using cap nails attaching the tarp to a 2×4 lumber. 

Start by wrapping the corners of the tarp around the board and secure with cap nails. The tarp should be sandwiched between the board, so it doesn’t come loose by the wind. Also, you’ll have to place the wood piece against the roof, so it doesn’t collect water or debris. Lastly secure the board to the roof to serve as the anchor. Do this for all the three remaining sides of the tarp. 

Call a Professional For An Emergency Roof Repair

Water leaks can be dangerous if not treated on time. But it can be hard to get hold of your insurance agent or your roofer after a storm. You might even get approached by storm chasers offering you to fix the roof in no time. But stay aware of them as in the long run, they’ll cause more damage to the structural integrity of your property.

To get professional help in such situations, get in touch with us. Our team of professional roofers will guide you through emergency roof repair at any time.