To secure a tarp to a flat roof, you can use wood boards nailed through the tarp into the roof along the perimeter.
Securing a tarp temporarily to a flat roof, often needed for repairs or weather protection, requires methods that prevent wind and rain from lifting or penetrating it. One effective technique involves using readily available materials to create a strong, secure bond.
Method: Using Wood Boards
As stated in the reference provided:
"Then, use wood boards along the perimeter of the tarp. These should be nailed through the tarp directly into the roof, creating a stronger bond that wind and rain are less likely to penetrate."
This method involves the following steps:
- Position the Tarp: Lay the tarp flat over the desired area on the roof, ensuring it covers the entire section you need to protect with sufficient overlap.
- Place Wood Boards: Position wood boards (such as 1x3 or 1x4 lumber) along the edges of the tarp, overlapping both the tarp and the roof surface.
- Nail Through: Using appropriate nails (like roofing nails or larger common nails depending on the roof material), nail directly through the wood board and the tarp into the roof structure below.
- Secure Around Perimeter: Continue placing boards and nailing them down around the entire perimeter of the tarp. Space nails closely enough to prevent the tarp from flapping or lifting between them.
This creates a clamped effect, holding the tarp firmly against the roof surface and providing a barrier resistant to wind and rain.
Important Considerations
- Roof Material: This method is most suitable for flat roofs where penetrating the surface with nails is acceptable, often temporary situations where subsequent repairs will seal the holes. Be aware that nailing creates penetrations in the roof membrane, which will need to be sealed properly once the tarp is removed.
- Board Size: The size of the wood boards used can vary, but typically smaller dimensions (like 1x3 or 1x4) are sufficient for this purpose.
- Nail Type: Use nails long enough to penetrate the board, tarp, and firmly anchor into the roof decking or structure below.
- Safety: Always prioritize safety when working on a roof. Use appropriate fall protection if necessary and be mindful of tools and materials.
Using wood boards as described creates a robust mechanical fastener that holds the tarp down effectively on a flat surface, minimizing movement and exposure to the elements.
