How to Apply a Blue Tarp to a Leaking Roof

Set an extension ladder against the eave of the house in an area away from the leaking section of roof. Ensure that the ladder sits at an 11-degree angle to the house wall. When your fingertips touch the eye-level rung of the ladder and the tips of your boots touch the ladder feet, the ladder sits at an 11-degree angle.

Unroll 24 inches of a blue tarp on the ground. Cut the folded end off the tarp with a knife. Set a 2-by-4-inch board on one end of the blue tarp. Ensure the board extends at least 24 inches past each side of the tarp. Roll the board and tarp to cover the board. Shoot one staple through the tarp every 8 inches to secure it to the board.

Roll the board over one more time.

Throw the boarded end of the tarp over the roof ridge. Allow it to extend 4 to 6 feet past the ridge on the opposite side of the damaged roof section. Ensure that the board sits against the surface of the roof and the tarp runs over the top of the board. Lift the tarp to expose the wrapped board. Secure the board to the roof by running one 3-inch wood screw through the board every 8 inches with a screw gun.

Unroll the remaining section of tarp. Allow the tarp to fall over the eave of the roof.

Place one 1-by-3-inch board across the tarp every 2 feet. Secure the boards to the roof by running one 3-inch wood screw in the center of each board, and then place 1 screw every 8 inches until you reach the ends of each board.