Certified Building Contractor CBC1265305 · Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1334811
How long can a blue tarp stay on a roof before it fails?
A straight answer from a Florida state-certified contractor — then what you can check yourself and when to call. Free estimate: (954) 620-7812.
There is no safe number we can give you, because a blue tarp is a temporary cover and not a repair. Sun, heat, wind and rain wear it down the longer it stays up, so the right plan is to get the permanent repair scheduled as soon as the damage is documented.
How long a tarp holds depends on how it was installed and what the weather does afterward. A tarp fastened with wood battens along the edges and run over the ridge resists wind better than one nailed through the middle of the roof or stopped short of the ridge, where water can get in underneath. Shrink wrap is designed to last longer than a standard blue tarp, but it is still a temporary cover.
Why a tarp fails
Polyethylene tarps break down under Florida's intense UV and heat. Wind works on any loose edge, and a flapping corner can loosen fasteners and let the whole cover lift. Daily summer thunderstorms and wind-driven rain then test every seam and edge.
Failure is often a installation problem rather than an age problem. Fasteners driven through the middle of the tarp make holes. A cover that stops below the ridge lets water run under it. Shrink wrap has fewer loose edges for wind to grab, which is why it is designed to outlast a standard tarp.
The cost of a failed cover is the water. Once decking, insulation, ceilings and walls stay wet, rot and mold can follow. After a widespread storm, roofers and materials are also in demand across the whole region, so the permanent repair can take time to schedule. That is one more reason not to treat the tarp as the finish line.
What you can check yourself (from the ground)
Look at the cover from the yard
Check for flapping corners, torn spots, sagging areas where water may pool, or battens that have pulled loose. Do not climb onto the roof to inspect it, since a wet or damaged roof can be unstable.
Check ceilings and walls inside
New stains, drips, bubbling paint or a damp smell can mean water is getting past the cover. Note where it shows up and when.
Re-check after every storm
Wind and heavy rain are what test a cover. Look again after each significant storm, in any month, not only during hurricane season.
Photograph and keep records
Take dated photos of the damage and the cover, and keep any invoices. Then talk to your insurer or agent about your policy and the claim process.
When to call a pro
Call a pro if the cover is torn or lifting, water is showing inside, or no permanent repair is scheduled yet. Call also if the original cover was nailed through the middle of the roof or stops short of the ridge. We can look at the roof, cover it properly if needed, and write up the full scope of what the storm damaged. Whether a temporary cover itself needs a permit is up to your city or county building department, so confirm with them.
The permanent repair is a different matter. A re-roof or roof repair and structural repairs typically need a permit from the local building department. The usual path is a permit application, the work, in-progress inspections where the code requires them, a final inspection, and then closing the permit. We do the roof work under our Florida Certified Roofing Contractor license CCC1334811 and the structural and interior repairs under our Florida Certified Building Contractor license CBC1265305. Both can be verified on the Florida DBPR website. Inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward counties), roofing products need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). Elsewhere in Florida they need Florida Product Approval. An unpermitted or still-open permit can surface at sale, refinance or insurance renewal and may be cited by code enforcement. Confirm exact steps with your local building department. To get started, call (954) 620-7812 or use the quote form.
What a pro will do
- Install the cover correctlyA blue tarp is fastened with wood battens along the edges and run over the ridge where the roof allows. Shrink wrap is heat-shrunk tight to the roof, leaving fewer loose edges for wind to lift.
- Photograph before and afterWe take photos of the damage before and after the cover goes on, for your records and your insurance claim.
- Write the scopeYou get a written scope of everything the storm damaged, including roof covering, decking, framing, fascia, ceilings and walls, before work starts.
- Do the permanent repairWe handle the structural and interior repair and the new roof together, with permits pulled under our own certifications when the work needs one.
- Inspect and close outWe schedule and pass the inspections and close the permit at the end. The job is finished when it is permitted, inspected and closed out.
Related questions
- Is shrink wrap better than a blue tarp?
- Shrink wrap is designed to last longer than a standard blue tarp, and it has fewer loose edges for wind to lift. It is still temporary and not a substitute for the permanent roof repair.
- Does a roof tarp need a permit?
- That is up to your city or county building department, so ask them directly. The permanent roof repair or re-roof typically does need a permit.
- Can I put the tarp on myself?
- We do not recommend climbing onto a storm-damaged roof, which may be wet, weakened or unstable. A cover fastened badly can also let water in underneath, so having a contractor install it is usually the safer route.
- What should I do about my insurance claim?
- Photograph the damage, keep records of everything you do, and contact your insurer or agent to learn the process for your policy. We can provide photos and a written scope of the damage for your records.
Request a free roof tarping estimate
Tell us what's going on. A state-certified contractor will get back to you.
Prefer to talk?
(954) 620-7812