By Charlie the Roofer for Roofline · Published · Checked against the sources listed below
A tarpaulin on a roof is a stopgap for weeks, not a winter. IKO, the roofing manufacturer, says to leave one on for as little time as possible, and wind and sun wear sheeting out fastest on exposed Yorkshire roofs. Home emergency cover normally pays only for the temporary fix, so book the permanent repair as soon as the roof is sheeted.
How long does a tarp on a roof last?
A tarp on a roof should be measured in weeks, and the sooner it comes off the better. IKO, the roofing manufacturer, says to leave one on for as little time as possible, and that how long it lasts depends on the quality of the tarp and the conditions it faces. Nobody sells a tarpaulin as a roof covering to see you through a winter.
Three things wear it out:
- Wind. A sheet that can move flaps against tile edges and its own fixings until it rubs through, and on exposed Pennine and coastal roofs that happens sooner.
- Sunlight. Daylight breaks the plastic down, which is why heavy-duty sheets are made with a UV inhibitor. Roofing Superstore's March 2026 buying guide rates lighter poly tarps as having a shorter lifespan and says the heavier the sheet, the better it lasts.
- Standing water. Rain collects in any sag, adds weight that drags at the fixings, and finds every hole in the sheet.
Can a tarp damage the roof underneath?
Yes, and the longer it stays on the more it can do. The fixings are the first problem. Roofing Superstore's guide describes screwing timber planks through the tarp into the roof, which means a hole through the covering and the felt beneath it at every fixing, and each one is a new route for water once the sheet comes off.
A loose sheet also acts like a sail. When it lifts in a gust it can lever up the tiles or slates next to the original damage, so a small repair grows into a bigger one.
It can cause damp from the inside too. BRE, the building research body, found that dripping in roof spaces is often condensation rather than a leak, and is more likely when the roof covering is impermeable or the ventilation under it is restricted. A plastic sheet over the tiles does both. If you can reach the loft hatch safely, look for wet felt, damp timbers or beads of water under the sheeted area.
From the ground or a window, look for a lifted corner, a flapping edge or a sag holding water. If you see any of those, ring whoever fitted it, and do not go up to fix it yourself.
Will my insurance keep paying while the tarp is on?
Usually not, because home emergency cover pays for the temporary job only. In a 2025 Financial Ombudsman decision, the policy promised to pay for a temporary repair with a tarpaulin or similar material to solve the immediate problem. When the roof leaked again, the ombudsman said the insurer could not be blamed, because its repair was only ever meant to be temporary.
In a 2024 decision, cover for that temporary repair was capped at £500 and did not extend to replacing tiles or a permanent fix. A tarp left on for months leaves you carrying the risk if it fails and water gets in.
Keep a dated record: photos from the ground of the sheeted roof, any stains inside, and the receipt for the sheeting. Our storm damage and insurance guide covers the rest of the claim.
When should the permanent repair be booked?
Book it as soon as the roof is sheeted, while the sheet is still in good condition. Often the better stopgap is not a tarp at all. Where a few tiles or slates have slipped or blown off, a roofer can usually refit or replace them on the first visit, which leaves the roof watertight with nothing to blow about. Our answer on replacing slipped tiles covers what that usually costs.
Where the damage is bigger, such as a stripped ridge or a hole through the battens, the roof should be sheeted by a roofer, fixed so the wind cannot get under it, and checked after every gale until the repair is done.
Roofline is based in Barnsley and covers Yorkshire. Send a photo of the sheeted roof, taken from the ground, on WhatsApp to 07413 797731, or book a free inspection. We send photos of what we find and a free itemised quote for the permanent repair.
Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we think it is and whether it needs a visit. Quotes are free and itemised.
Sources
- IKO, How to Install a Roof Tarp for Leaks (December 2025)
- Roofing Superstore, Tarpaulin buyer's guide (23 March 2026)
- BRE Group, Avoiding dripping roofs (January 2013)
- Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5406631 (home emergency cover, 2025)
- Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5072218 (home emergency cover, 2024)
- HSE press release, 10 August 2026: contractor fined after fall through fragile roof
General information about roofing in England, checked against the sources above when published. It is not a substitute for advice about your own roof.
