Learning how to tarp a flat roof is essential for preventing water damage.
After all, protecting your roof from the elements means protecting your entire property. Flat roofing materials are reliable, but they’re not invulnerable.
If you want maximum protection for your roof and property, you should consider tarping your roof.
Key Takeaway
Tarping a flat roof involves the following steps:
- Measuring
- Cutting the Tarp
- Laying the Tarp Down
- Securing the Strips
- Plastic Sheeting and Insulation
A tarp will add an extra layer of protection to your flat roofing system. If you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow, tarping could be especially advantageous. Flat roofing materials typically provide adequate protection for your roof but have an inherent weakness: they’re flat.
Flat roofs can’t drain off water like pitched roofs, which is why tarping is a good idea. But how do you tarp a flat roof? It isn’t as simple as laying a big piece of vinyl down on the roof. Instead, there are steps you should follow if you want the tarp to be effective.
In the following post, Roofer’s Guild details a guide on how to properly tarp your flat roof.
Step 1: Measuring
The first thing you have to do is procure the tarp. But how much tarp will you need? That depends on the area of your roof. You must take careful measurements to ensure you don’t buy too much or too little tarp for your roof. For this, we recommend using a good old-fashioned tape measure.
Measure the span of your roof and account for any alcoves, nooks, and crannies. Next, measure the length and width of the entire roof so you know precisely how much tarp you need.
You can also use Google Earth to measure your roof. Google’s roof measurement is a relatively new feature, but it will give you a general idea of the measurements of your roof.
Step 2: Cutting the Tarp
Once you have procured the correct amount of tarp, you will need to cut it into more manageable strips once you are up on the roof. Again, you can use a simple pair of scissors or maybe a utility knife to do the cutting.
You’ll want to cut the tarp into strips about 2 inches longer than the width of your roof.
Step 3: Laying the Tarp Down
Once your tarp strips are cut up, you will need to lay them down lattice-style over your roof. Again, laying the strips with the shiny side facing down would be best for the utmost protection.
Step 4: Securing the Strips
With your tarp strips laid down in a lattice pattern, you will need to secure them. We recommend using a staple gun to secure the strips to the upper layer of your flat roofing system. It would help if you started at the corner of the first strip (the one in any far corner of your roof) and then worked your way inward.
For the best protection against wind, you should staple the opposite side of the strip at a diagonal angle. The angle will create an “X” shape and provide better protection against strong winds.
Step 5: Plastic Sheeting and Insulation
This last step is optional. However, if you want the most protection for your flat roof, we recommend covering the entire tarp layer with thick plastic sheets and securing them with either staples or roofing nails.
Then, you will need to insulate the roofing system. For this, we recommend a material with an R-value of at least 5. A 5 R-value ensures your roof retains heat and releases it as needed. Spray foam insulation works best with flat roofing systems and is easier to install.
What Kind of Roof Tarp Should You Choose?
You should be aware that tarp doesn’t come in just one type of material. When people think of tarp, they usually conjure up images of sheets of blue vinyl. But in 2024, there are more options; you should know about each before selecting one for your flat roof.
So let’s take a look at the different materials of tarp:
Plastic
Plastic tarps are relatively affordable. They come in various colors and thicknesses but generally won’t last as long as other types of tarp.
Plastic is an excellent temporary option if you need to cover up your roof during repairs. We don’t recommend it for permanent roof coverage – the material won’t last as long under substantial UV exposure.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a very durable tarp material. You can use it in pretty much any climate. It will also provide minimum insulation for your roof.
However, a vinyl tarp will be more expensive than plastic and canvas tarps. Another downside to this type of tarp is that it may not be suitable for large flat roofs. It is not as flexible as a plastic tarp, so you will need to buy more of it to cover your entire roof.
Canvas
Canvas tarps are made from thick layers of cloth. Since they are made of mostly organic material, they can provide better insulation than plastic and vinyl tarps.
Canvas tarps won’t be as expensive as vinyl tarps, but they will also not last as long. Also, you can’t use a canvas tarp in an area with a lot of rain. Canvas tarps aren’t waterproof and will only be a viable option if you’re in a dry climate.
Things to Remember When Tarping A Roof
If you are wondering how to tarp a flat roof, then there are some things that you have to keep in mind:
Tarping isn’t A Permanent Solution
If you choose a vinyl tarp, you can expect it to hold up for a few years. But tarping isn’t a permanent roofing solution.
The Thicker, the Better
You will generally want a thick tarp material to protect your roof better. A thick tarp material will work best if you are covering up some recent repairs or just adding an extra layer of protection to your flat roof.
Nails Vs. Staples
Roofing nails work best since they hold up better in strong winds than staples. However, they are not as easy to install. They are also significantly more expensive. If you don’t have legit roofing experience, you may want to stick with a staple gun.
But in any case, if you have any doubts about how to lay a tarp on your flat roof, you should call an experienced roofing contractor.
Final Thoughts
Tarping a roof is essential to water damage prevention. Following the steps of measuring, cutting, laying, securing, and sheeting is a good process to ensure proper tarping. However, only licensed roofing contractors with experience and expertise are equipped to safely perform the job without risk.
