As Hurricane Ian has hit the Cayman Islands and Cuba, and is now making its way across Florida, this huge category 4 (when it made landfall) just shy of a category 5 storm is now one of the top 5 storms ever in size and strength and has the potential to be a top 10 storm event in damage and claims. To put it in perspective regarding size, Hurricane Charley one of the strongest hurricanes ever that struck Florida in 2004 would fit in the eye of Hurricane Ian that is now four to five times bigger than Hurricane Charley. The damage that Ian will cause is being estimated at $20 to $50 billion or more (Hurricane Katina is the costliest to date at approximately $125 billion).
As one weather expert stated, “The size and force that is expected from Hurricane Ian is something that current Florida residents have never experienced.”
The primary concern is for the safety of human and animal lives that are in this hurricane’s path and affected in any way. Next is infrastructure and of course personal and business structures. The more than 150 mph winds and 190 mph wind gusts, storm surges that can reach 20 feet, and rain that may accumulate up to 24 inches in some areas is going to cause cataclysmic damage. For the weeks and months that follow, clean up, repair, and rebuilding will be the focus. With this in mind, Tarps are vital tools to protect the damaged areas, repairs, and new construction that will result.
The 2022 hurricane season was predicted to be super active estimating 19 named storms, 9 reaching hurricane strength. So far there have been nine named storms and four hurricanes. The hurricane season traditionally runs from June 1 through November 30.
Storm Tarps are available in a number of effective Heavy Duty Tarp fabrics such as vinyl, polyethylene, waterproof canvas, and mesh. These products are offered in convenient and common sizes, colors, thicknesses, material grades, and material weights to match the preferences and requirements of their protection. It is comforting to realize that these layered covers can protect your valuable structures and possessions from further damage. A couple of Tarps will help prevent additional losses.
Throughout this article we will help describe how Storm Tarps will help with protecting your structures, possessions, and areas.
Tarps Aid in Preventing Further Damage
It often does not matter what you do before, and as the case is being seen as Hurricane Ian hits there is some unprecedented damage happening. When the losses occur, an initial move once the danger of the storm has passed is to immediately, safely, and securely cover the affected sections. Taking this action assists in preventing further damage from additional rain, sun, wind, animals, pests, insects, birds, and even people.
After Ian passes, secondary instances can often produce more damage to structures than the original event. Ensure that you cover the exposed and vulnerable areas and get them under control once it is safe to do so. It is the additional damage that may take place if not secured that can lead to insurance claim issues that can get messy.
Insurance companies, in most instances, do want you to take the steps to install these Storm Tarps to aid in securing the damaged areas and to prevent additional damage well before the insurance adjusters can review the damage. The very first thing that you should do is contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to get the claim process underway. Additional recommendations include documenting and taking photographs of the damage before installing any tarps or making any of your own repairs. It is also highly suggested to save your receipts for anything that you have purchased for repairs such as the Storm Tarps. You may be entitled to reimbursement by the insurance company for these items.
Selecting the Best Storm Tarps for the Situation
A wide variety of Heavy Duty Tarps are offered to help secure your damaged areas and other sections of concern. The cover for your situation will depend on your requirements and conditions. To follow is a selection of many of the most effective Storm Tarps that will help prevent and limit additional damage to the affected areas.
Hurricane Tarps – The Blue Poly Tarps are often the stereotypical tarp that comes to mind when the phrase Hurricane Tarp is mentioned. This is a general description for waterproof, lightweight, Polyethylene (Poly) Tarps that will safely cover roofs, structures, supplies, materials, and equipment from additional damage. The Poly Tarps are crafted with multiple layers of plastic sheets that have metal grommets (eyelets) that are inserted in the hems around the four sides to help tie down and secure the covers. Although it is the Blue Tarp that you commonly see on roofs following a major storm, there are a spectrum of colors for many Poly products. A more effective and quite popular Hurricane Tarp is a Hurricane Barrier Mesh Tarp. This type of product is an extremely strong cover that is manufactured from a 95 percent closure fabric weave that is strategically perforated to allow a safe amount of air and water to pass through the material. The Hurricane Mesh Tarp protects from heavy wind, flying debris, and heavy rain.
Hurricane Barrier Tarps – As just mentioned, Hurricane Barrier Mesh Tarps are an effective Storm Tarp. These are made with 20 Mil thick 95 percent closure black trampoline mesh that is very lightweight yet very durable with a material weight of 7.9 ounces per square yard. The fabric construction includes perforation that allows for both a safe amount air and water to pass through shielding the structure while keeping the cover effective. Hurricane Barrier Tarps are made with sturdy brass grommets spaced every 12 inches around each of the four sides for the tie down process. These covers guard your windows, doors, roofs, and other structures from the heavy winds, flying debris, and driving rains. The Hurricane Barrier Tarps are offered in a wide selection of sizes that also include custom options all to help you cover whatever it is that you need covered.
Poly Tarps – Mentioned previously in the Hurricane Tarp section, Poly Tarps, the blue versions, are the ones that pop in your mind when you think of Hurricane Tarps. Poly Tarps account for around 56 percent of all Tarp sales. These very economical covers are made with polyethylene compounds (PE) that generate an extremely lightweight, 100 percent waterproof, and strong product. Homeowners, contractors, and insurance companies discover that this style is the most cost friendly cover along with being very easy to handle while being effective protecting against rain, wind, sun, dirt, debris, and pests in the short-term. Poly Tarps also guard against UV rays, tears, abrasion, and mildew. A wide variety of Poly Tarps exist generating a selection of features for Storm Tarp requirements including size, color, thickness, material weight, and options on some products such as fire retardant or reinforced. The Poly Tarps have grommets fitted and equally spaced around the perimeter of the covers for the easy, fast, and secure tying down of the covers.
Vinyl Tarps - Vinyl Tarps are a very strong, versatile, and common style of cover that is great for Storm Tarp uses. This type of Tarp is available in a selection of categories classified as light, medium, heavy, and super heavy duty utilization for extended periods of time. Many Vinyl Tarps products are 100 percent waterproof offering protection while always resisting against UV rays, liquids, grease, oil, acid, tears, abrasion, rot, and mildew. When special needs are necessary, Vinyl Tarps are available with special features that include fire retardant, coated, Clear Vinyl, Neoprene, Hypalon, and Clear Vinyl. Vinyl Tarps are provided in a huge variety of sizes, thicknesses, colors, and material weights. Custom size Vinyl Tarps are also a popular option for many situations.
Waterproof Canvas Tarps - A great option exists for many Storm Cover uses with Waterproof Canvas Tarps. These are crafted with silicone coated polyester threads that generate 100 percent waterproof protection. The fabric is also breathable, an important benefit where airflow and anti-condensation is a vital requirement for the cover while also shielding against UV rays, rips, tears, abrasion, and mildew. This type of Waterproof Canvas Tarp is at least two to three times stronger than the traditional canvas fabric that is on the market. This style of Canvas Tarp is available in wide variety of sizes, colors, and fitted with strong grommets for secure tie down for the storm applications. Custom options are also offered for Waterproof Canvas Tarps.
Roof Tarps - A Roof Tarp is a critical tool for the protection and further damage prevention for roofs and other related constructions. If your home, condo, business is receiving damage from Hurricane Ian, it is important to cover the specific area as soon as is possible. This will not only help protect the structure from additional harm, it will also help speed up the repair, maintenance, or construction process. Roof Tarps come in a wide variety of fabrics that include polyethylene, vinyl, mesh, and canvas, each one has its own unique features and benefits. As you select Roof Tarps, one of the most important things to search for is durability. It is important for the tarp you choose to withstand and hold up to the elements, that it will not tear easily, and it will continue to deliver the necessary protection over time.
Drain Tarps / Leak Diverters - Drain Tarps are also referred to as Leak Diverters. This type of cover delivers vital protection inside buildings and facilities to help guard structures, furniture, computers, equipment, areas, and personnel from roof leaks, broken pipes, and other indoor water hazards. Drain Tarps / Leak Diverters are quite easy to install by connecting the sturdy D-rings in the corners with basic fasteners including zip ties, rope, cord, wire, and bungee cords to ceilings, pipes, or other structures. These specialty Tarps capture water from the leaks and drain through a common 3/4” garden hose into a container or safe area. Drain Tarps (Leak Diverters) are available in Poly and Vinyl versions that includes the Anti-Static Vinyl style that is both static and fire retardant. These anti-static covers are ideal for protecting computers, electronic equipment, servers, and other valuable gear. The tarps are available in a selection of common and convenient sizes.
Custom Tarps – An extensive selection of the Storm Tarps mentioned so far in this blog are available in standard sizes that are common many situations. If you may have special dimensions that you need created, Custom Tarps and Covers can be made to your exact specifications. Through the Custom Size Tarp Builder app or by submitting a print or drawing, a special Storm Tarp can be crafted to your exact dimensions, specifications, and other features.
Fabric by the Yard or Roll - If you choose to make your own Tarps or have projects that require the fabrics described in the sections above (Poly, Vinyl, Clear Vinyl, Waterproof Canvas), some are offered by the by the Yard and Roll that will be quickly shipped to physical addresses. For the exact amount or for stock reasons, purchase the amount of material that you needed for protecting your house, condo, building, equipment, or supplies.
It is a good idea to Have Some Storm Tarps on hand for Future Storms
Storm Tarps can provide a level of defense before a storm hits, helping limit or eliminate damage. A properly secured tarp can provide protection against hard rain, heavy winds, and flying debris. In addition, Storm Covers can protect against the damage that occur from hurricanes, tornados, and other storm activities. Most of the Storm Tarps are resistant to mildew, rot, and other issues. The built-in protection of these Tarps allows the covers to be administered on buildings, roofs, and other structures for extended periods of times for locations that include vacant facilities, second homes, rentals, and vacation homes.
Whether you are anticipating hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, other storms, or all of the above, It is always a good idea to have these strong and protective Storm Tarps on hand for when the need arises and especially when storm damage does happen. Please know that when there is a major storm event the big box outlets and local hardware stores have a very limited inventory and product selection and they are going to quickly sell out of whatever they have while online ordering is going to take a few days at best to arrive. Be prepared and stock up well in advance.
How You Can Help those affected by Hurricane Ian
Our thoughts and well wishes goes out to those that are affected directly and indirectly by Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Fiona, and other storms that have occurred throughout the year. For those of you that have not been directly affected, you can help contribute and provide some relief to those who have been distressed by donating to a number of reputable services that will help those in need with first aid, meals, lodging, evacuation, and relocation. One of the best sources of disaster relief and other vital services is the American Red Cross. Donations can be taken and other information will be provided by visiting the Red Cross website. Please consider Donating.
Tarps Now is here to Supply the Storm Tarps Necessary in Your Recovery
As you are looking for Tarps to protect and secure your homes, structures, and other locations from hurricane, tornado, or other major storm damage or you need Tarps or Accessories for other purposes, Tarps Now is your premier supplier. Please give us a call right now at (888) 800-1383 or email sales@tarpsnow.com with any questions or inquires. One of our experienced, friendly, and helpful tarp team members located at our Michigan headquarters will be happy to speak with you and assist in finding the best tarp and cover solution for your storm and recovery needs.
Tarps Now was founded and continues to operate for the headquarters in St. Joseph, Michigan. Strategically located within the central part of the United States and North America, we concentrate on the distribution, manufacturing, consultation, and sales of a complete line of Storm Tarps, Heavy Duty Tarps, Industrial Curtains, and Tarp Accessories. Included in our vast product line are the capabilities to create many custom sized Tarps, Covers, and Curtains. Tarps Now is extremely pleased to provide one of the largest selections of Tarps and Covers directly from the factory along with our convenient, effective, and popular stock sizes that are utilized by homeowners, businesses, corporations, organizations, and municipalities around the United States and North America.
Tarps Now specializes in the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of Storm Tarps, Standard Size Tarps, Industrial Machine Equipment Covers, and Tarp Accessories to a wide range of materials specifications along with Custom Made Tarps and Covers. We are pleased to offer a wide selection of covers and tarps direct from the factory and warehouse to businesses and consumers throughout the United States and North America.
