Certified Building Contractor CBC1265305 · Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1334811
Why is my ceiling still leaking even though the roof has a tarp on it?
A straight answer from a Florida state-certified contractor — then what you can check yourself and when to call. Free estimate: (954) 620-7812.
A tarp is a temporary cover, not a repair, and it often doesn't make the roof fully watertight. Water can still get in under the edges, through the fastener holes, or through damage the tarp doesn't reach. Water already trapped in the insulation and drywall can also keep dripping for a while after the roof above is covered.
So the first question is whether the leak is new water or old water. A ceiling that drips only while it rains, or during wind-driven rain, points to a gap in the cover. A ceiling that keeps dripping after the weather clears often means saturated materials still draining.
Why a tarped roof can still leak
A blue tarp is polyethylene fastened with wood battens along the edges. It works best when it runs over the ridge, so rain can't get in at the top. A tarp that stops short of the ridge, or is fastened through the middle of the roof, can let water in under it. Wind can also lift loose edges and push rain beneath.
The storm damage itself matters too. Wind can lift tile, shingles and flashing, and fallen limbs can break decking, rafters or trusses. If the damage runs past the area the tarp covers, water finds the uncovered opening. Sun, heat and wind also wear a cover down the longer it stays up.
Shrink wrap is heat-shrunk tight to the roof, so it has fewer loose edges for wind to lift. It is designed to last up to about a year (a typical lifespan, not a promise), longer than a standard blue tarp. It is still temporary, and the roof still needs its permanent repair. If wet insulation and drywall stay wet, they can sag, stain and grow mold even after the roof is covered.
What you can check yourself (from inside)
Note when it drips
Watch whether water appears only during rain or wind, or keeps coming after the sky clears. Write down the times. It helps tell a gap in the cover from water still draining.
Protect the room
Move furniture and place a bucket under drips. Keep clear of a bulging or sagging ceiling, which can be holding water. If water is near a light fixture or fan, switch that circuit off at the panel.
Photograph everything
Take dated photos of stains, drips and wet spots, and keep your records. Then talk to your insurer or agent about the claim process.
Look for other water sources
From the ground or a window, check for open flashing, missing pieces or damaged siding away from the tarp. Do not climb onto the roof. A plumbing or air-conditioning drain leak can also stain a ceiling, so rule that out.
When to call a pro
Call a pro if the ceiling leaks after the weather clears, if drywall is sagging or bulging, if you see mold or smell mustiness, or if the cover is flapping or has shifted. These signs usually mean the cover, the roof, or the wet materials under it need hands-on attention.
The permanent fix is where permits come in. A roof repair or re-roof and structural repairs typically need a permit from your city or county building department. The usual path is permit application, work, in-progress inspections where required, final inspection, then the permit is closed. Whether a temporary cover itself needs a permit is up to your building department, so confirm with them. Open or unpermitted work can come up at sale, refinance or insurance renewal and may be cited by code enforcement. We do the roof work under our Florida Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1334811 and the structural and interior repairs under our Certified Building Contractor CBC1265305, both verifiable on the Florida DBPR website. Call (954) 620-7812 or request a free quote.
What a pro will do
- Document and re-coverWe photograph the damage before and after a cover goes on for your records and claim. If the cover is leaking, we can re-secure it or replace it, for example with one run over the ridge.
- Write a full scopeWe write up everything the storm damaged: roof covering, decking, framing, fascia, ceilings and walls. You get the written scope before work starts.
- Dry out and rebuild the interiorWet insulation and drywall are assessed, and damaged framing, ceilings and walls are repaired under the building certification.
- Install the permanent roofThe new roof is permitted, inspected and closed out. Products follow the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone rules with a Miami-Dade NOA in Miami-Dade and Broward, and Florida Product Approval elsewhere in Florida.
Related questions
- Is a tarp or shrink wrap a permanent fix?
- No. Both are temporary covers until the permanent repair. Shrink wrap is designed to last up to about a year (a typical lifespan, not a promise), longer than a standard blue tarp, but neither replaces the repair.
- Can a leak cause mold even after the roof is covered?
- It can. Wet drywall, insulation and framing that stay wet may grow mold and start to rot. Getting the materials assessed and dried is part of the repair, not just the roof.
- Does a temporary cover need a permit?
- That is up to your city or county building department, so confirm with them. The permanent roof and structural repair typically do need a permit.
- What should I tell my insurance company?
- Photograph the damage, keep your records and receipts, and contact your insurer or agent about the claim process. We can provide photos and a written scope of the storm damage for your records.
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