When it comes to facing a disaster and having your roof damaged, emergency roof tarping seems like a quick and easy solution. Covering your roof with a tarp can temporarily prevent further damage until the roof can be repaired or replaced. It’s often a necessary measure to protect the interior of your home from water damage, especially in the case of severe weather conditions. However, like all other solutions, emergency roof tarping has both pros and cons.
Pros
1. Prevents further damage: The primary advantage of emergency roof tarping is that it stops additional damage from occurring. Tarps protect your home from water seeping through the holes in the roof and causing more damage to the structure or property inside. This solution is best applied immediately after the roof is damaged.
2. Affordable and accessible: Emergency roof tarping is a quick-fix and also one of the most affordable solutions available. Roof tarp sheets are readily available at most home improvement stores, and many roofing companies offer emergency tarping services.
3. Short-term solution: Tarping your roof provides a short-term solution, and it’s essential to fix or replace your damaged roof as soon as possible. Once you get the tarp in place, you can have peace of mind since you know that you have time to hire a professional and plan for your roof’s repairs or replacement.
Cons
1. Not permanent: An emergency roof tarp isn’t a permanent solution to your roof issues. While it may prevent further damage to your roof, the tarp is only a temporary fix. It will withstand strong winds and heavy rains for a little while, but it isn’t designed to last forever.
2. Unsightly appearance: A tarp roof doesn’t look so great. The massive blue or black tarp on your roof can be an eyesore for your neighbors. Homeowners’ associations, municipalities, or even the state may have city ordinances regarding the aesthetic appearance of your home.
3. Not always feasible: Sometimes, emergency roof tarping isn’t possible. For example, if it’s snowing or raining heavily, it might be challenging for a roofing professional to go up onto your roof and place the tarp. In extreme weather conditions, tarping might not be possible because of safety reasons.
In conclusion, emergency roof tarping is an affordable and accessible solution that can prevent further damage if applied immediately after a disaster. It provides a short-term fix for your roof, but it has its downsides such as it’s not a permanent solution, has unsightly appearance, and not always feasible, particularly in harsh weather conditions. Always have your tarping instructions and tools ready in case of emergencies. Don’t hesitate to hire a professional roofing contractor once the storm passes to ensure the repairs and replacements are done correctly.
