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Roof tarps

How long can a tarp stay on a roof?

There is no official number. A roof tarp is a short-term cover, and Florida sun, roof heat and wind wear it out. Tarps left up since Hurricane Milton in 2024 are likely shredded by now. Plan the permanent repair while the tarp still holds.

By Josh Hildebrand, owner of Coastline Roofing · Florida license CCC1331076 ·

A tarp keeps water out while you wait for the real repair. The question is how long you can safely wait.

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The short answer

How long can a tarp stay on a roof?

A tarp is a short-term cover. No official rule gives an exact number, and in Florida sun and wind it should be checked often and never treated as a long-term roof.

Be careful with any single number you hear. A tarp's life depends on its grade, how it is fastened, how much wind it sees, how hot the roof gets, and whether it was put on over a smooth, sound surface. A tarp that is still holding after a month may not hold after the next storm.

Josh Hildebrand has replaced tarps put up after Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on October 9, 2024. Tarps that old are, in his words, likely shredded by now: ripping, brittle and no longer doing the job. That is what a tarp left up for years looks like.

Use the tarp to buy time for the permanent repair, and plan the repair now. Our emergency tarping page covers how we do temporary covers.

Tarp getting old?

Coastline replaces worn-out FEMA tarps and does temporary repairs, then inspects the roof and sends a written photo report. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).

Call (941) 896-7793 or text your town and a photo.

Why they fail

What makes a roof tarp wear out in Florida?

Sun, heat and wind work on a tarp every day, and the roof underneath adds to it.

Sun and UV

IBHS says ultraviolet radiation degrades asphalt shingles. The same sun beats on a tarp. A tarp is plastic sitting in that sun, so check it for brittle or torn spots.

Roof heat

IBHS says sunshine can push roof surface temperatures above 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and that roof temperatures can swing 80 to 90 degrees in a day. A tarp on a hot roof heats and cools every day too.

Wind and flapping

A loose edge catches wind and whips. Over weeks the flapping tears the fabric at the fasteners.

Fasteners and boards

Every time the tarp moves, it pulls on whatever holds it. A tarp held only by a few nails has less holding it than one held by boards along the edges.

Thin or light-duty plastic

Thickness is not the only factor, but a thin tarp has less to lose.

Poor fit over the damage

A tarp has to cover the opening and run well past it on every side. One that is too small or cut short leaves the edges of the damage open to wind-driven rain.

How to tell

How can I tell if my roof tarp has failed?

Look for tears, flapping, gaps at the edges, brittle fabric and fresh water stains inside.

Check from the ground after every storm, and from inside when you can. Do not climb up. OSHA lists falls among the most common causes of serious work injuries and deaths.

  1. Look for rips and loose edges

    Binoculars help. Torn corners, flapping edges and tarp that has slid down the slope are signs it is no longer sealing.

  2. Look for brittle, faded or chalky plastic

    Fabric that cracks when it moves or has lost color is breaking down in the sun.

  3. Look inside for new stains

    A new brown ring on a ceiling or damp insulation in the attic means water is getting past the tarp. Our ceiling stain guide explains how to read them.

  4. Check the weather ahead

    Hurricane season is the time to find out. The National Hurricane Center says a Category 1 storm can cause roof damage and a Category 2 can cause major roof loss. A tarp is not built to handle either.

  5. Call a roofer before the next storm

    If the tarp is shot, replace it or make the permanent repair. Waiting for the storm to prove it wrong is the costly way.

Coastline replaces worn-out FEMA tarps. Our FEMA tarp replacement guide explains what we do. If you are hiring someone for a tarp or repair, check their license first with our guide on how to verify a Florida roofing license. Also see stop a leak until help arrives covers what you can do from inside.

Why the roof needs a real fix

Why is a tarp not a permanent repair?

Because it does not fix the deck, the underlayment or the roof covering. It only keeps water out for a while.

IBHS looked at 186 homes after Hurricane Michael and found that roof cover loss was the most frequent damage in major wind events, and that water got into many houses that lost covering and underlayment. FORTIFIED says that once the covering is gone, the wood deck is exposed to rain, and each inch of rain on an exposed deck can send a large amount of water into the home.

A tarp helps with that, but it does not replace the covering. A tarp is a bridge to the repair, not the repair.

The repair itself depends on the damage. See roof repair and roof replacement, roof deck damage, and roof repair cost in Florida. If the roof was damaged in a storm, storm damage repair explains the process. Sometimes we use synthetic underlayment as a temporary cover instead of a tarp. A roofer can tell you which fits your roof.

Your insurer and your policy decide what is covered, and timelines can apply, so ask them. This is general information, not legal advice.

Reviews

What homeowners say about working with Coastline

★★★★★
"Josh was very thorough diagnosing a hard-to-find leak on a tile roof, after 2 other roofing companies tried but failed to catch the problem. ... Great work at a fair price, great service."
Mark R.Leak repair, tile roof
★★★★★
"Loved how Josh used his drone to identify cracked and slipped roof tiles and sent us the photos. Photos also taken of completed work."
Felicity K.Tile roof inspection
★★★★★
"They did a good job on the repair so I would definitely recommend them."
Duke H.Roof repair, Florida Gulf Coast
Keep reading

Related guides

Emergency Tarping

Temporary cover that keeps rain out until the repair.

See emergency tarping →

FEMA Tarp Replacement

What to do with a tarp left over from Milton or Ian.

Read the guide →

Stop a Leak Until Help Arrives

What you can do from inside the house.

Read the guide →

Also see what to do when a tree falls on a roof and missing shingles after a storm.

FAQ

More questions

Can a roof tarp last a year in Florida?

It can fail well before that. A tarp on a roof is hit by sun, wind, roof heat and loose fasteners. Josh Hildebrand says tarps left from Hurricane Milton, now more than two years old, are likely shredded.

Can I put a tarp on the roof myself?

We do not recommend it. OSHA lists falls among the most common causes of serious work injuries and deaths, and a roof with damage or a tarp is harder to walk on. Cover the area from inside as best you can, and call a roofer.

Can a tarp make roof damage worse?

It can if it is fastened poorly or left up too long. A roofer fastens it to hold and checks the deck when the tarp comes off.

What happens when a tarp finally fails?

Rain gets into the attic again. IBHS found after Hurricane Michael that roof cover loss often led to water getting into the house. If your tarp is torn or brittle, replace it or make the permanent repair before the next storm.

Sources

  1. IBHS: Natural Weathering and Hazard Exposure (UV and roof temperatures)
  2. IBHS: Hurricane Michael Wind Damage Assessment, Executive Summary
  3. IBHS FORTIFIED: Roof, exposed deck and water intrusion
  4. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
  5. OSHA: Fall Protection
  6. Ready.gov: Hurricanes

Do not wait for the next storm to find out the tarp failed

Coastline can replace a worn tarp or make the permanent repair, and sends a written photo report so you see what is under it.

Call (941) 896-7793 Text (941) 345-0072
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