Roof tarps – also known as hurricane tarps – pop up in areas that experience storms, including hurricanes and tornadoes. Anyone who has experienced roof damage, however, needs to use a tarp as a temporary fix, but, because of the current state of the economy, tarps go up after a storm – and the resident never takes them down. This has become an issue in Hannibal, Missouri, according to a recent news article. Residents who keep tarps on their roof for longer than usual may face a fine.
According to the linked article above, many in Hannibal are using tarps as a long-term solution, instead of contacting a contractor to fix the damage. As someone is quoted as describing the tarps coming up like “mushrooms,” the ubiquitous roof tarps are both a practical and aesthetic concern around town. For the latter, the tarps covering roofs and broken lights – also a source of leaks – simply aren’t nice to look at. On a practical level, however, the tarps and the roofing materials start to rot and, if the material isn’t properly secured, it blows off the roof and onto a telephone pole.
As a solution, the town has decided that those using roof tarps will need to remove them after 10 days or pay a fine. This isn’t absolute, however, and those waiting on a contractor (a common occurrence after a storm) and those unable to pay for the damage will be taken into consideration.
Although 10 days is a short time to repair a roof, this ordinance serves as motivation to get residents to remove their tarps. Medium-duty polyethylene material, which is used in these instances, can be left outdoors for 90 days as part of a temporary repair or short-term solution. Nevertheless, protecting the home from water damage and mold not only comes from the tarp but also its application. A tarp must not be able to fly off a roof and, instead, should be secured in place.
