When you are looking for water protection from your tarps, it is important to understand the difference between waterproof and water resistant. A waterproof tarp will completely protect your belongings from water and rain, while a water resistant tarp will also provide protection but not completely. A water resistant tarp will help repel water and shield the item with eventual possible seepage. Both types of tarps are productive and popular products. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of waterproof and water resistant tarps available on the market, as well as their effective applications.
There are a variety of waterproof and water resistant tarps available on the market, each with its own unique set of features. When choosing a waterproof or water resistant tarp, it is important to consider the specific needs of your application.
Waterproof tarps are made from a variety of materials, including polyethylene, vinyl, and waterproof canvas. Polyethylene tarps are the most popular type of waterproof tarp, as they are lightweight, durable, and economical. Vinyl waterproof tarps are also popular, offering superior strength along with resistance to tears, abrasion, UV rays, rot, and mildew. These tarps are ideal for use in rainy or snowy conditions, as they will keep your belongings dry.
Water resistant tarps are made with water resistant material such as canvas or nylon. The canvas version tarps have a waxed paraffin treatment applied. This type of tarp will help repel water, and provide protection from light moisture, but is not considered waterproof. Water resistant canvas tarps are a bit more cost effective than the waterproof canvas products.
Some of the more popular uses for waterproof and water resistant tarps include:
- Construction site covers
- Patio/Porch enclosures
- Patio furniture covers
- Equipment covers
- Supply protection
- Firewood covers
- Vehicle covers
- Ground covers
- Freight covers
- Ice rink liners
- Picnicking
- Canopies
- Camping
- Tents
When choosing waterproof tarps or water resistant tarps you know that you are going to get an excellent shield from the effects of water along with other issues such as wind, sun, debris, pests, and other hazards. The decision is how much water protection you need. This blog will review some of the many popular waterproof and water resistant tarp products on the market along with the common applications that they are utilized in.
The Importance of Water Protection
In our world, water is a substance that is vital to the existence of most living organisms. We cannot survive long without it (humans are made up of about 60 percent water). In addition, water is necessary to grow crops, raise animals, wash things, support manufacturing processes, provide transportation, fight fires, and many other standards. On the other side of the coin, water can be quite destructive through events such as rain, snow, flooding, mold, standing water, broken pipes, drips, and other instances. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The continental United States averages nearly 30.25 inches of precipitation each year (Louisiana is the highest just over 60 inches while Nevada has the lowest at 9.5 inches). That is a lot of water wherever you are.
When it comes to water proof tarps and water resistant tarps, they can be extremely beneficial shielding against some of the events just mentioned. They deliver an extra layer of protection against the destructive power of water. No matter what you need to cover including structures, equipment, supplies, or areas, waterproof and water resistant covers are an essential part of guarding these possessions from potential harm.
Heavy duty waterproof tarps can provide an added layer of security to help keep your belongings safe and secure from the elements. And for those extra wet days, waterproof tarps offer peace of mind that water will not be able to penetrate the fabric, even during heavy rain.
Water resistant tarps also work great in outdoor settings like garages, backyards, camping, fishing, and other recreational activities, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about water damaging your supplies. So, when it comes to waterproof and water resistant tarps, make sure you have them in your inventory and keep them handy, you are going to need them sooner or later.
Not only do high quality waterproof and water resistant tarps provide protection against rain conditions but they can also help protect against leaks, ice, snow, mud, debris, and other hazards. Thanks to their waterproof and water resistant fabric, tarps are able to create a barrier that repels and, in the case of waterproof materials, will not allow water or any other outside elements through. This helps reduce the risk of damage along with the wear and tear on structures, equipment, supplies, and areas so that you can have a sense of security knowing that everything is protected. if you are looking for a level of protection against water and other elements, waterproof and water resistant tarps are a great decision.
Waterproof Tarps and Water Resistant Tarps Products Available
Waterproof Tarps
A variety of waterproof tarps are available made from materials such as polyethylene, vinyl, clear vinyl, and some canvas. These multi purpose covers are considered waterproof through the manufacturing of the fabrics or the coatings and treatments that are administered that prevent water and other liquid substances from penetrating. A valuable point to make is that a tarp is not completely waterproof unless the seams are as well. Water, especially standing water, can seep through the seams unless they are made from waterproof thread or receive a waterproof treatment. To follow are a description of some popular waterproof tarps available within the market today:
Polyethylene Tarps
The most frequently purchased classification of tarp in the world is polyethylene (poly). Poly tarps account for around 56 percent of the $7 billion international tarp market. These covers are constructed from high quality, high density layers that are 100 percent waterproof along with being UV ray, tear, rot, and mildew resistant. Waterproof poly tarps are offered in a wide variety of stock sizes, thicknesses, grades, material weights, and color options. In addition, there are special features such as camouflage, fire retardancy, clear poly, and string reinforced.
Poly Sheeting / Plastic Sheeting
Poly sheeting (also know as plastic sheeting) is a very lightweight yet durable waterproof polyethylene film that is utilized with many applications especially in construction where it can be temporary walls, building wraps, enclosure covers, scaffold wraps, ground covers, equipment covers, vapor barriers, and abatement covers. It is also popular for commercial, industrial, agricultural, warehouse, recreational, and residential uses. Poly sheeting typically comes in 20 and 40-foot wide rolls in thicknesses of 5 Mil, 6 Mil, and 10 mil thicknesses in a spectrum of product options that include string reinforced, woven reinforced, fire retardancy, and greenhouse sheeting.
Vinyl Tarps
Heavy duty vinyl tarps are waterproof products that are used in just about every applications including industrial, trucking, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and around the house. Besides the waterproof aspects, vinyl tarps protect against UV rays, extreme weather, tearing, punctures, abrasion, rot, and mildew. Waterproof vinyl tarps are available in a wide assortment of sizes, thicknesses, material weights, and a spectrum of colors. There are special feature options that include fire retardant, camouflage, neoprene, Hypalon, and outdoor movie screens along with custom size and design capabilities.
Clear Vinyl Tarps
Clear vinyl tarps generate the features of solid vinyl tarps with the additional benefits of presenting a visually crystal clear view. These waterproof covers are thick (20 Mil and 30 Mil), durable, and anti-microbial while also being UV ray, cold weather, grease, chemical, rot, and mildew resistant as well as a fire retardant option. Clear vinyl tarps are very popular as covers on porches, entryways, decks, and patios to utilize these spaces well into the fall and winter months protecting against rain, wind, snow and cold weather. These also are utilized as vehicle, equipment, and supplies covers where the view of the items is important.
Waterproof Canvas Tarps
For waterproof features along with strength and superior overall protection, a waterproof canvas tarp should be on your radar. This style of tarp is crafted from 20 Mil thick Rhino-Tex canvas fabric that is made with heavy duty silicone coated polyester thread producing a 15 ounce per square yard material that yields a product that is two to three times stronger than the typical canvas tarps on the industry. This multi purpose waterproof canvas tarp is not only waterproof but is also breathable aiding in eliminating the condensation and moisture that can build up underneath the tarp. A water proof canvas tarp is also UV ray, tear, abrasion, rot, and mildew resistant. These are offered in numerous colors that include tan, brown, blue, gray, green, white, and black in sizes from 5’ X 10’ up to 120’ X 120’ along with custom options. Waterproof canvas tarps are ideal for industrial, agricultural, transportation, commercial, construction, camping, and residential applications.
Water Resistant Tarps
Water resistant tarps will stop water, precipitation, and other liquid compounds from making it to your valuable possessions. Doing this important job most of the time, they are not specifically made to keep items dry 100 percent of the time. The construction of the tarp fabrics, such as canvas, along with tightness of weave and its density will naturally generate a high amount of resistance to water and other liquids. The tighter the weave the harder it is for water to flow through.
The water repellant aspects of the water resistance are delivered by treatments or coatings to the tarp fabric by substances that include waxed paraffin (a translucent petroleum based hard wax) that will help deter the seepage of water.
Water Resistant Canvas Tarps
The water resistant canvas tarps are made with heavy duty duck canvas fabric that is administered with Canvak, which is a waxed paraffin treatment that provides a water and moisture resistance to help make sure that your equipment, supplies, and structures are dry and protected. The typical material weights for water resistant canvas tarps are 16-ounce, 18 ounce, and 21-ounce per square yard. These water resistant covers are usually offered in sizes that range from 5’ X 7’ to 30’ X 30’ in the traditional olive drab color along with tan. This type of tarp is used for manufacturing, landscaping, construction, painting, trucking, agriculture, camping, equipment covers, and firewood covers. In addition, fire retardant canvas tarps are available. They not only provide protection from fire hazards but are also water resistant. These fire retardant and water resistant covers are presented in 16-ounce, 18-ounce, and 22-ounce material weights.
Nylon Tarps
Nylon tarps are made from denier nylon fabric with denier thicknesses that include 200. 210, 400, 420, 900, 1000, and 1680. This material is water resistant along with being tear and abrasion resistant. They come in numerous colors. Nylon tarps have a urethane coating that provide durability and flexibility for almost any type of application including industrial, agricultural, construction, commercial, and residential.
Taking Care of your Waterproof Tarps and Water Resistant Tarps
With the purchase of waterproof and water resistant you will receive the water protection necessary for your applications. To help ensure that you keep getting the water defense you expect for a long time, a little bit of care will make the difference. Although these are incredibly durable heavy duty fabric tarps, it is vital not to misuse or abuse the taps by overstretching them. This can cause tension that can compromise the fabric and cause damage to or pull grommets (eyelets) out of the hems.
The cleaning of these waterproof and water resistant tarps is an important tasks that is fairly easy. Dirt, grime, leaves, and other menaces can gather, cling to, and build up on the tarps over time. The dirt and other substance collection can contribute to limiting their full usefulness as time passes. When cleaning the tarps, it is highly recommended to utilize mild dish soap and warm water. Quite often, water by itself will clean the tarp. It is critical to refrain from using detergents on the tarps. These harsh cleansers as well as scrubbing too hard can harm the covers by helping weaken the fabric and the special coating applications such as waxed paraffin on water resistant tarps. There are dedicated and safe tarp cleaners and protectants that are offered for the safe and effective cleaning and protection of your valuable tarps.
It is also very important to dry your tarps after their cleaning. This too is a very simple step accomplished by locating the tarps in the sun or by hand drying with soft towels or cloths prior to using again. This is especially the case before putting the tarps into storage.
Another important task, which is easiest to do while cleaning, is to inspect the covers looking for any wear, tearing, holes, or other damage. It is critical to repair these issue areas with items that include tarp tape and tarp glue. If any of the grommets are damaged or missing, it is best to replace these. Grommet kits are available that will allow you to safely and easily replace the grommets. The kits include grommets and washers along with the necessary tools to perform the repairs.
After the cleaning, drying, and any necessary repairs are complete they are ready to use once again as good as new. If you are placing them in storage, as mentioned before, it is important that they are completely dry. When storing, it is recommended to place the tarps in a cool, dry location off the ground that is not near a high heat source and out of the way of any direct sunlight.
Take a look at the Tarps Now Sale Page
Who doesn’t like a sale? Tarps Now has a special Sale Page that is open 24/7. This section on the website has specials available every single day. The products available can consist of popular tarps (including waterproof and water resistant tarp selections), industrial curtains, and accessories usually in popular sizes and colors that have been returned for non-defective reasons that include the wrong style of tarp or curtain being ordered, the wrong size, or the customer ended up not needing the product after all. The returns are stored and maintained at the Tarps Now Southwest Michigan warehouses. They are shown on the Sale Page that can be viewed on the company website as Sale Items listed in red at the bottom of the Tarps By Category column on the far left section of the tarpsnow.com homepage.
When you are looking for Waterproof and Water Resistant Tarps, Tarps Now will help keep your things safe and dry
It is not if, but when you are serious about delivering water protection for your possessions, supplies, structures, or areas, Tarps Now is the premiere source for High Quality Waterproof Tarps and Water Resistant Tarps along with any other type of Tarp, Cover, Industrial Curtain, and Accessory. Ordering is easy on our website including the Custom Size Tarp Builder app utilized for custom dimension tarps. If you have questions or need help with ordering , please do not hesitate to contact us at (888) 800-1383 or sales@tarpsnow.com. One of our experienced and pleasant tarp team members will be happy to assist.
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