Tarps and Tie Downs: Learn How to Secure a Tarp Properly

A1 Tarps will help you learn how to properly secure a tarp so that you can get the most protection possible.

At A1 Tarps, we offer an impressive line of durable, long-lasting tarps that can help protect your property from damage related to environment factors, as well as other hazards. We use premium materials and superior manufacturing to deliver these high-quality tarps. But not even our best tarps can protect your belongings if they are not properly secured. Additionally, improper installation can cause damage to your tarp, as well as to what's underneath.

Luckily, the tarp experts at A1 Tarps are here to share the best ways to attach a tarp. We'll go through some basics briefly, including the best tie downs for tarps, how to tarp a roof and more.

The Basics

In almost all cases, you want to ensure that the tarp is fastened tightly around the object you are protecting. The idea is to create as watertight of a seal as possible. Tarps that can fly loose in the wind are subject to flapping, and that lets moisture in. The flapping can also lead to excessive abrasion and possible tears.

That also means you shouldn't make your own holes. Most of our tarps are equipped with metal grommets around the edges, giving you a place to hook a fastener. Poking your own holes runs the risk of creating a much bigger opening than you intended.

Prime Positioning

Because you are going for tightness, it helps to evaluate what you are trying to cover, and make it as compact as possible. Take a push lawnmower, for instance - it would be smart to fold down the handle, so that the mower occupies less space without the handle jutting up. The fewer things that poke out or stand out, the better.

Applying Tension

If your goal is to get a tarp as tight as possible, that means you'll want to use tie downs that apply a bit of tension. Rope or wire is not the best option here - you want tarp tie downs like bungee ties or ratchet straps that create some tension. Our ball bungie ties are effective at securing tarps as well.

Roof Rundown

Attaching a tarp to your roof is a bit more involved. Doing so correctly requires a few more supplies, such as a two-by-four and a tarp that is big enough to drape over the peak of the roof. All the steps are necessary to prevent water from flowing under the tarp, down the roof and into the patch you are attempting to cover. Learn more about how to tarp a roof here.

Truck Trials

When using a tarp in a truck or trailer, the tightness becomes even more important. Every piece of the tarp must be secured, because if it is left loose, the flapping will almost certainly damage the tarp and expose whatever is underneath. A heavier-weight tarp will also help - especially if you are hauling loose landscaping or construction materials such as gravel or mulch. Ratchet straps are built to handle those heavier loads, but liberal application of bungee cords can also work.