Blue tarps may be the most common type of tarp. Typically a medium duty tarp, a blue tarp has a 10 by 10 dernier count and a thickness of 6 mil. Blue tarps are often best for temporary protection, such as being used as a roof tarp or a camping tarp shelter. Like any type of tarp, these medium duty blue tarps are UV and rot resistant and waterproof, which makes them an ideal solution for temporary roof repairs.
Blue tarps are often given out before a hurricane in case of roof damage. When a blue tarp is used as a roof tarp, the plastic tarp can protect for up to 90 days and can be held in place by wood and nails. If you experience roof damage during a hurricane, a roof tarp will protect the inside of your house from accumulating moisture that will lead to mildew, mold, and rotting. Until a contractor is able to assess the damage from a hurricane, a blue tarp is an economical solution for protecting your home. When nailing a blue tarp to your roof, make sure not to stand on the roof tarp directly.
Other uses for blue plastic tarps include use as a camping tarp. While a tarp itself can be a temporary tent, two blue plastic tarps can become a tarp shelter in case of rain. While rope is needed to set up the tarp by tying it to a tree or tying it down with stakes, one angled blue tarp can protect your tent and area in front the tent in case you encounter a rain storm. An additional tarp can be placed under the tent to prevent the bottom from absorbing water and the plastic tarp can also shield against rocks. This bottom blue plastic camping tarp, however, should only be as big as the tent's floor, or, otherwise, water will slide between the tarp and the tent.
