[pver]

I have mutiple shingles ripped due to the storm last night and it may take a day or two before any roofer can come. It is going to rain. Will the roof keep the water out for a day or two?

 

[DexterII]

Pver, first of all, I sincerely empathize with you and all of the others affected by these massive storms. In regard to your immediate concern, there is no way to say, one way or the other, without at least pictures, but I will try to give you some basics. First and foremost, based on your question, I am going to assume that you do not have much experience on a roof, but regardless, safety is always first. Please be careful. No amount of potential water damage is worth a broken limb, or worse. If you have a large area of damaged or removed shingles, as you can imagine, a tarp can provide good short term protection. The keys are to make sure that it extends over the peak, so that water does not get under it, and to adequately secure it in place. Inexpensive clothesline rope will be fine until the roofer gets there. Depending on your situation, you can tie off to stakes or heavy objects on the ground, or to sand bags on the roof. Just make sure that the tarp is spread out fully, so that it does not trap water, and force a backup someplace. If you have say a dozen or so shingles that are pulled away, in various areas of the roof, quite frankly, again, assuming that you have minimal experience on a roof, you may want to opt for playing the odds, and lettting them go. If you wish to repair them though, you can use felt or tar paper, regular shingles, or step flashing. Tuck them under the shingle above the damaged area, and hold the patch in place with a couple of rooting nails. Normally, exposed nails on a roof are a bad thing, but they are fine to get you past the current situation. Hopefully this makes sense, but if you have any questions, come on back, and I or someone will try to assist. Good luck.

 

[pver]

Thank you for the sympathy and the advice. The ripped shingles are all together, so I am going to try and put a tarp on it. You are correct, I have no experience with roofs but I think I can handle puuting a tarp on the damaged area. Again, thank you.

 

[DexterII]

Okay, that is probably the best case scenario to deal with, but, again, please be careful. If possible, get someone to help you. It is amazing how much stronger a breeze can be, even on a one story ranch, as compared to standing on the ground, and the tarp can be a sail that will take you right off the roof with it. Have your ropes handy, and already tied to the eyelets if you can. I suspect that the wind is still blowing, and if you get air under the tarp, it can really fight you. Again, good luck.