A common hurricane supply is a tarp. Although other materials are needed in the event of hurricane damage, tarps are one of the most essential materials. In fact, when hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast, FEMA distributes tarps for free. But, instead of relying on a government organization, tarps can be purchased from hardware stores and numerous online dealers and manufacturers. Essentially, finding the right tarps to protect your home is a simple web search. But if you don’t know which canvas is best for a hurricane, which one do you know how to choose?
Medium-duty polyethylene tarps are the most common tarps used for hurricanes. Although high-strength polyethylene can be used, high-strength polyethylene is still preferable. Although both types of tarps are made from the same material, heavy-duty polyethylene has a higher denier. However, both types of canvas have the same protective properties, and this is important when it comes to protecting your home. Any polyethylene or polyester tarp should be waterproof, as you want to protect the interior from water damage, fungus, or mold. Other hurricane-related properties include mold, mildew, and UV resistance, as all of these factors can damage the interior of your home.
A hurricane tarp is needed, essentially, in case your home is damaged during a storm. Often, moderate storms can even result in roof damage or a broken window, and tarps are needed in either case to prevent water from entering and further damaging the interior.
When applying a hurricane tarp, it should be placed on the outside of the roof or window, but the applicator should try not to step directly on the roof surface in the event of a slip or fall. The tarp should be applied directly over the hole, with both sides wrapped in two-by-fours. The boards, with the tarp, are nailed to either side of the hole. The two additional sides are nailed with boards at the top. Although this method provides full protection, other methods are used to cover a tarp roof. Some hurricane tarps also come with adhesive on one side, but they don’t always stay secure around the damage.
Once a tarp has been properly applied, it can last about three months, giving you plenty of time to contact a contractor to assess the damage. Medium-duty material can be found through any tarp dealer, and additional materials to secure at least two tarps should be available in your home.