Flood damage can occur in a matter of hours, and families without an active plan may find themselves dealing with extensive damage and the aftermath of a serious foundation issue. It does not take much to develop mold in the home. The benefits of roof tarping are up for debate. Some would argue that Roof Tarping is mostly ineffective. They see it as a major distraction from the tasks that matter. Flood Solutions sees it as an action worth taking, but only if a few conditions are met.
Continuing Storm and Rainfall
Firstly, there should be a storm coming in the first 24 hours after noticing flood damage. If flood damage is realized, and the storm is continuing, a flood tarp could stall the damage. If the rain is expected to stop soon, the tarp is mostly a pointless exercise.
Active Leaks
If the roof has no obvious leaks, the tarp may also be ineffective. Roofs are very complex and nuanced. A leak could be coming from anywhere. Because of this difficulty in pinpointing the location, a tarp could be a bit futile. There are gaps in even the best tarps. There will almost certainly be gaps if tarping is a DIY project, so consider hiring a professional team. The leaks should be known. Always cover starting in the area of the leak, and extend the tarp as appropriate.
Debris
If the roof is covered in debris, the tarp probably will not work. The debris will disturb the flat consistency needed to make the tarp effective. Storm debris, such as trees and trash, could cause a disturbance. With extensive debris, the tarp should probably be skipped.
Lightning
Under no circumstance should a homeowner attempt to tarp their own home in a lighting storm. Get a professional to do the work.
The decision to tarp a home should be made quickly and as soon as a leak is noticed. Waiting to long and then doing the tarp will only distract from the long list of other tasks that need to be done. Roof Tarping will not reduce current damage that has occurred, and it will not drastically save the exterior shell of the home or even the foundation. But, it can do enough in an active storm to save a property from wallowing in water and turning over into unsalvageable.
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