Emergency roof tarp: how it works and when to get one

Updated October 26, 2026. General information only, not professional advice.

When a storm tears off shingles or punches a hole in a roof, a tarp is the usual stopgap. It does not fix the roof. It buys time by keeping more rain out until a real repair can be made. Here is what to know before you or anyone else climbs up to put one on.

What a roof tarp does

A roof tarp is a heavy plastic sheet laid over the damaged section and fastened so wind cannot lift it. Done well, it:

Keeps rain off exposed decking, underlayment and the attic.
Helps prevent more water damage to ceilings, insulation and walls.
Gives you time to file an insurance claim and get estimates.

A tarp is temporary. Sun, wind and rain wear it down, so treat it as a bridge to a repair, not the repair.

Why it is risky to do it yourself

Putting a tarp on a roof means working at height on a surface that may be wet, damaged or covered in debris. OSHA says falls are the leading cause of death in construction, and roofers are trained and equipped for this work.

Think hard before going up yourself, and do not do it if:

The roof is wet, icy or still being hit by wind or rain.
The roof is steep, more than one story high, or has soft or sagging spots.
Power lines run near the roof or the damaged area.
You do not have a sturdy ladder, someone to hold it, and proper footwear.

If any of those apply, stay on the ground and get help.

What to do from the ground first

Before a tarp goes on, you can still limit damage from inside and outside.

Stay off the roof until the storm has fully passed.
Inside, catch drips with buckets and move belongings away from wet areas.
Keep away from water near lights, outlets or the electrical panel.
From the ground, photograph the damage. A phone camera zoom or binoculars work well.
Note the date of the storm and what you saw.

The Texas Department of Insurance advises covering holes to keep rain out and keeping receipts, and notes that a policy may pay for temporary repairs. Whether yours does is up to your insurer. Only your insurer can say what is covered.

What a proper tarp job looks like

You do not need to install one to know whether it was done well. A typical job:

Covers the whole damaged area with extra margin on every side.
Runs the tarp over the ridge when possible so water flows over it, not under it.
Fastens the edges with boards or strapping so wind cannot catch it.
Leaves no loose flaps that can tear or flap in the next storm.

Ask the crew to take before and after photos of the roof and the damage under the tarp. Those photos help with your claim and with the final repair estimate.

Help that may be available after big storms

After some major hurricanes, government programs have offered free temporary roof covering. The Florida Department of Financial Services lists the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Blue Roof Program, which assists with temporary roof repair or tarp assistance when it is active. It is not always running, so check official disaster announcements for your area after a declared disaster.

Watch out for storm chasers

After a storm, crews often go door to door. Some are honest. Others take money and leave. FEMA advises working only with contractors who are licensed, registered and insured, getting two or three written estimates, and not paying large amounts up front.

Before anyone tarps your roof:

Get the price in writing before work starts.
Ask what the price covers: materials, labor, and how long the tarp is meant to last.
Do not sign a contract with blank spaces.
Be wary of anyone who offers to waive your deductible or says the work will be free. Texas and Florida restrict these offers.
Do not sign anything that hands your insurance claim to a contractor until you understand it.

How long a tarp should stay on

There is no single answer. It depends on the tarp, how it was fastened and the weather. Plan on getting a permanent repair scheduled as soon as you can, and check the tarp after every storm. If it has torn, shifted or is flapping, have it fixed before the next rain.

When to call a pro

Call a roofer or tarping crew if the roof has holes, missing sections, or damage you cannot reach safely from the ground, or if water is still getting inside. A pro can tarp the roof, document the damage and give you a written estimate for the lasting repair.

Before you hire anyone, verify their contractor license where your state requires one and ask for proof of liability insurance. Get a written estimate, keep copies of everything you sign, and do not pay in full until the work is done.