Tarp an emergency leak temporarily
Active leak in a storm? A proper tarp buys you time before permanent repair.
What you'll learn
- The ONLY roof job we actively teach homeowners
- Conditions that make tarping safe (dry, calm, low slope)
- How to position the tarp so water cannot get underneath
- Why this is temporary, days not weeks
Step by step
- Buy a heavy-duty 20×25 poly tarp and 1×3 furring strips.
- Position the tarp so it extends 3 feet past the leak and over the ridge.
- Sandwich the tarp between furring strips nailed to the roof, one at ridge, one at eave.
- Fold edges around strips so water cannot get under.
- Call us within 24 hours and we'll match you with a roofer for the permanent repair.
Safety note
Never go on a wet roof. If the leak is active and you can't get up safely, put buckets under the drip, protect the floor, and call us. We'll match you with a roofer for emergency tarp work.
Rather have a pro handle it?
We connect you with an independent local roofer across San Diego County. A real roofer picks up.
More guides
Keep learning.
Basics · Guide
Inspect your roof from the ground
You can catch most roof problems from the sidewalk with a pair of binoculars.
Maintenance · Guide
Clean your gutters safely
Clogged gutters cause more roof leaks than almost anything else.
Troubleshooting · Guide
Spot storm damage after a Pacific storm
After any storm over 40 mph, your roof deserves a 10-minute check.