Patch a Roof Leak (Emergency Tarp)

Category: Roofing Emergency · Difficulty: Intermediate · Time: 2.5h · Estimated cost: $65

Tools needed

Heavy-duty blue/silver tarp (12'x16') (1 ea)
1x3 furring strips (8 ft) (4 ea)
Roofing nails (1-1/4") (1 lb)
Roofing cement (10 oz tube) (1 ea)
Disposable poncho (1 ea)

Stop interior damage first
Inside, place a bucket under the drip. If the ceiling bulges, poke a small hole at the lowest point with a screwdriver to release water before it collapses.
Duration: 15 min
Wait for safe conditions
NEVER tarp a roof in active rain, wind, or lightning. Wait for a dry break, even if short.
Duration: 5 min
Set the ladder safely
Ladder on level ground, top extends 3 ft above the eaves, base is 1/4 of the height out from the wall. Have a helper foot the ladder.
Duration: 10 min
Locate the leak from the roof
Look for missing/cracked shingles, lifted flashing, or holes — usually uphill from where it drips inside.
Duration: 20 min
Position tarp over leak
Drape the tarp so it extends 4 ft past the leak in every direction AND extends OVER the ridge (peak) of the roof — water must run over, not under.
Duration: 30 min
Sandwich edges with furring strips
Roll the upper and lower tarp edges around a furring strip. Nail the wrapped strips through the tarp into the roof. Repeat at side edges. This holds in heavy wind.
Duration: 45 min
Seal each nail with cement
Dab roofing cement on every nail head and along strip edges to seal — your tarp's nails just made new holes.
Duration: 20 min
Plan permanent repair
Call a roofer for permanent shingle replacement within 1-2 weeks. A tarp lasts 30-90 days.
Duration: 5 min

Leaks involving multiple shingles, valleys, chimneys, or any roof steeper than 6/12 — call a roofer for both the tarp AND the repair.