Florida Certified Roofing Contractor CCC 1334537
Why does water run under a tarp that stops short of the ridge?
A straight answer from a Florida certified roofing contractor — then what you can check yourself and when to call. Free quote: (954) 775-8990.
Water runs under a tarp that stops short of the ridge because the top edge is left open on a sloped roof. Rain, and especially wind-driven rain, gets beneath that edge, and the slope carries it down under the cover instead of over it.
A tarp is a temporary cover until the permanent repair, and it only works when water sheds over it. The ridge is the highest point of the roof, so a cover that runs over it leaves no upper edge for water to enter.
Why it happens
Roofs shed water downhill, and tarps work the same way. If the top edge sits below the ridge, rain landing on the exposed roof above it runs down to that edge and slips under. Wind pushes water sideways and upward under loose edges as well. Once water is under the cover, the tarp holds it against the roof like a trap, so decking, insulation and ceilings can stay wet longer.
Fastening matters too. A tarp secured with wood battens along its edges, and run over the ridge where the roof allows, sheds water over the cover. A tarp fastened through the middle of the roof or stopped short of the ridge can let water in under it and leave extra holes in the roof below.
Time and weather also wear a cover down. Sun, heat and wind loosen edges the longer a tarp stays up. Shrink wrap is heat-shrunk tight over the roof with 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.
What you can check yourself
Look from the ground
Stand back and see where the top edge of the cover ends compared with the ridge line. Note any flapping edges, sagging or pooling. Stay off the roof and off ladders.
Check ceilings after rain
Look for new stains, bubbling paint or drips in the rooms under the covered area. A stain that spreads after rain suggests water is getting under the cover.
Look in the attic from the hatch
With a flashlight, check for damp insulation, dark wet decking or drips below the damaged area. Only do this if you can reach the attic safely.
Photograph and keep records
Take photos of the damage, the cover and any interior water. Keep receipts and notes, and talk to your insurer or agent about the next steps.
When to call a pro
Call if water is coming in under a cover, if edges are lifting, or if the tarp was fastened in the middle of the roof or ends below the ridge. Fixing it usually means re-securing or re-covering the roof properly, not adding more patches. Our phone is answered around the clock, and the office keeps weekday hours, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. We can't promise when we'll arrive, especially after a widespread storm when roofers and materials are in demand across a region.
The cover only buys time. For the permanent repair: "Roofing work in Florida legally requires a licensed roofing contractor and generally a permit from the local building department; a contractor's license is verified on the Florida DBPR website." Whether a temporary cover needs a permit is up to your local building department, so confirm with them.
What a pro will do
- Look at the damage and the deckWe check the damaged area and the deck before any cover goes on, so the cover is planned around what is actually open or wet.
- Cover it so water sheds over, not underBlue tarps are secured with wood battens along the edges and run over the ridge where the roof allows. Shrink wrap is heat-shrunk tight over the damaged section or the whole roof.
- Fit the cover to your roof typeFastening is adjusted for tile, shingle, metal and flat roofs.
- Document the workWe take photos before and after for your records and any insurance claim.
- Quote the permanent repairYou get a free estimate and a written flat-rate quote for the permanent repair or re-roof that says what is included.
Related questions
- Is a tarp a roof repair?
- No. A tarp or shrink wrap is a temporary cover that limits further water entry until the permanent repair is done. The roof still needs to be properly repaired or replaced.
- How long does shrink wrap last compared with a tarp?
- Shrink wrap is designed to last up to about a year (a typical lifespan, not a promise), longer than a standard blue tarp. Sun, heat and wind wear any cover down, so plan the permanent repair rather than relying on the cover.
- Does a temporary cover need a permit?
- That is up to your local building department, so confirm with them before work starts. The permanent roof repair is a separate matter, covered by the licensing and permit wording above.
- Can I fix the tarp myself?
- We don't recommend going onto a wet, damaged roof, since you can't judge the deck from above. Keep to checks from the ground, attic and ceilings, and call us at (954) 775-8990 for a free estimate.
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