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Installation Guide — How to tarp a roof effectively?

By Bâches Direct

Published on 19-02-2026

Last updated 19-02-2026

Tips Roof

To cover a roof, a quality roofing tarp is only truly effective if it is properly installed. A neglected installation can lead to water pockets, devastating wind blows or persistent infiltrations. Whether you are in the renovation phase or in an emergency situation, discover our expert recommendations for a secure and sustainable water disposal.

How to cover a roof safely?

To install a roof tarp, the professional method is to lay the canvas from the bottom up (like tiles) to promote the natural flow of water towards the gutters. Roofing professionals generally use wooden lathing to ensure maximum tension and avoid water pockets. Never intervene alone and prioritize a calm weather, without wind. A well-tensioned and properly superposed roof tarpaulin is the only guarantee of total waterproofing of your framework.

The essential tools of the right roofer

Before mounting on the roof, make sure you have the necessary equipment for a durable fixation:

Roof tarp with the right dimensions
Sandows for a flexible tension that absorbs gusts of wind or wooden slats (battens) and spikes to fix the tarp directly on the framework in case of long-term installation.
High-performance repair adhesive: For splicing two strips or sealing a critical area.
Safety equipment: Stable ladder, safety harness and non-slip shoes.

Good practices for covering a roof like professionals

The success of your protection depends on precise technical gestures.

Here are the fundamentals to apply to secure your building. In summary, to cover a roof efficiently, it is necessary:

1. Choose the right roof protection tarp

2. Pose from the bottom up

3. Fix by latching

4. Ensure the flow to the gutter

The importance of a high-durability tarp

For real protection, do not neglect the density of the material. For temporary protections, HDPE tarps are an excellent value for money. For medium-long term covers or in areas with difficult climatic conditions, opt for a so-called "heavy" tarp, such as the Tecplast PVC tarps, for an efficient water removal over time.

Priority to the surface unit to avoid leaks

On large surfaces, it is tempting to assemble several small tarps. It is a major technical error: the absence of a tight joint between the elements ("patchwork" effect) creates entry points for water. To ensure waterproofness, it is strongly recommended to limit the use of several tarps. If your roof has atypical dimensions, the creation of a custom-made roof tarpaulin can be the ideal solution to avoid risky overlaps and obtain a perfectly adjusted protection.

Latching, the method of professionals for an infallible fixation

If eyelets are practical for quick troubleshooting with sandows, the preferred method by professional roofers to secure a site remains lathing (or nailing on battens). This technique involves plating wooden slats directly onto the tarp and screwing or nailing them into the framework. The batten distributes pressure over its entire length, thus preventing the tarp from tearing, unlike a punctual attachment to a grommet that could give way under a violent gust. It is the ultimate solution for perfect tension and maximum wind resistance in the long term.

The direction of placement: the 'bottom-up' rule

If the use of several tarps is inevitable, proceed with the same logic as for laying the tiles. Start at the edge of the roof, at the level of the gutters, and go up vertically towards the ridge. By ensuring that the upper tarp always covers the lower one, you create a system of "strips" which limits possible infiltrations and optimizes runoff.

Optimization of the evacuation towards the gutters

The purpose of a tarp is to lead water away from the framework. Fix your first tarp so that it opens directly above the gutter. This strategic arrangement allows the rain to flow without stagnation, ensuring a quick evacuation and without risk for your walls or insulation.

Safety and weather conditions

The covering of a roof is a perilous operation. Intervene only if the weather is mild: wait for a day without rain and especially without wind, even light. A tarp can quickly act like a sail and unbalance you. Moreover, never climb alone on a roof; the presence of a third person is essential to stabilize the ladder and intervene in case of difficulty.

Knowing how to pass the baton to the professionals

Ultimate recommendation: only perform this installation if you are in full physical capacity. If the slope is too steep or the situation too complex, call in professional roofers. There is no point in taking ill-considered risks when experts perfectly master these techniques of putting out of water.

Which fastening method to choose for covering one’s roof?

Successfully removing your roof from water requires choosing the fastening method that best suits the duration of your construction site and the exposure of your roof. Between a quick emergency installation and long-term security, the accessories and techniques differ. To help you prepare your roofing tarp intervention, we compared the two main methods used by roofers: sandows and the professional lathing technique.

Criteria	Fastening by sandals (eyelets)	Fixing by batten (battens)
Topping out	Emergency, quick troubleshooting Individuals	Long renovation, structural work Professionals
Main advantage	Speed of installation and removal	Extreme wind resistance
Level of security	Moderate (depending on tension)	Maximum (pressure distribution, no wind catch)
Necessary tools	Elastic bungees	Wooden files, screws and tips
Wind resistance	Risk of floating if relaxed	Null (tarp attached to the roof)
Reusability	Excellent (preserved tarp)	Moderate (tarp drilling)

FAQ - Covering a roof

The installation of a roofing sheet naturally raises questions, whether they are technical or related to safety. How to ensure perfect tension? What are the tricks to avoid classic beginner mistakes? Our team has gathered the most frequent questions asked by our private clients to accompany you at each step of your application.

What is the difference between a roofing tarp with eyelets and a tarp without eyelets?

The eyelets are perfect for quick fastening with elastic straps, a practical solution for short-term interventions or for individuals with little equipment. The tarpaulin without eyelets (or called linear metre tarpaulin) is popular among professional roofers: it allows lathing, a technique that involves nailing wooden battens directly onto the tarpaulin for absolute support and without any grip on the wind.

How to safely install a roof tarp?

The golden rule is to never intervene alone. Use a stable ladder or scaffolding and wear a harness. On the technical side, always fix the tarp from the bottom of the roof towards the top (direction of the slope). This allows the upper tarp to cover the lower tarp (like tiles), ensuring that water slides towards the gutter without seeping under the protection.

Do the roof tarps withstand wind and weather?

Yes, provided that the installation is impeccable. The wind rushes where the tarp floats. A tarp perfectly stretched by straps or plated on the framework by lathing will not move, even during strong gusts. Waterproofing is 100% guaranteed on all our HDPE and PVC ranges, thus protecting your insulation and ceilings against any infiltration.

Can a tarp be nailed directly to the framework?

Yes, for long-term projects, professionals often use wooden slats (battens) placed on the tarp and nailed into the rafters. This prevents the tarp from tearing under the wind pressure.

How to avoid water pockets on a roof tarp?

The water pocket forms if the tarp is poorly stretched or if the slope is insufficient. A 'drumskin' tension with sandows is the best prevention.

How to choose your roof tarp?

If you haven’t bought your equipment yet, check out our buying guide - how to choose your roof tarp?

Secure your building with a rigorous installation

Mastering the art of covering a roof cannot be improvised: it is the combination between the choice of a robust material and a precision installation technique. By favoring lathing for long-term construction sites and scrupulously respecting the direction of installation from bottom to top, your tarpaulin installation on your roof will be effective in protecting the building from bad weather. The dewatering of your home is the guarantee of preserving the integrity of your framework and insulation.

Technical Glossary - Installing a roof tarp

Waterproofing: Action to temporarily protect a building from infiltrations before the final cover is laid.
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): Lightweight material, ideal for emergency and short-term protection tarps.
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): Heavy and ultra-resistant material used for construction sites lasting several months or years.
Anti-UV Treatment: Chemical process integrated during the manufacture of HDPE or PVC to prevent yellowing, discoloration and loss of flexibility due to sun exposure.
Imputrescibilité: Ability of a material not to rot under the effect of moisture or mosses.
Ridge: High line of meeting of the two sides of a roof, nerve point of the tarp.
Covering: Technique consisting of overlapping two tarps to prevent water infiltration between the sheets.
Elastic strap: Multi-strand cord allowing a flexible tension to absorb gusts of wind.

Written by the technical team Bâches-Direct, experts in tarpaulins since 2006.