Are Tarps Waterproof? And How Useful are They Around the House?
Are tarps waterproof? That’s a very popular question, and it unfortunately doesn’t have a simple answer. With so many different styles of tarps on the market today, it’s frankly impossible to give this question a quick and easy response.
So here’s the short version: It depends on the tarp itself. Most tarps on the market today are either waterproof or water resistant. But some tarps simply aren’t designed for exposure to water. And as you can surely guess, some tarps hold up against the elements a lot better than others.
First, let’s understand a few key phrases you’ll come across:
- “Water resistant” tarps will keep out splashes and sprays of water, but they won’t do well against puddles or pools.
- “Water repellent” isn’t often used in the tarp world, though you’ll still come across it from time to time. It generally means the tarp is better at resisting water, and takes longer (or larger volumes) for water to soak through. But it can still get through.
- “Waterproof” describes a tarp that entirely keeps water out, even if that water pools up.
The material used in producing the tarp plays a key role in which of these states—resistant, repellent, or waterproof—the tarp will be. Canvas tarps and polypropylene (or “poly” tarps) are often water resistant or repellent.
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Usually, only heavy duty PVC (vinyl) tarps are actually waterproof, though there are some exceptions to this rule on the market.
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Multipurpose tarps, such as nylon and polyethylene tarps, tend to have lower resilience with water than poly tarps, but they can still be water resistant. And it goes without saying, but breathable mesh tarps obviously aren’t water resistant at all.
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How Useful are Waterproof Tarps Around the House?
There are genuinely too many applications for water resistant and waterproof tarps in and around the house to realistically list here. But waterproof tarps in particular are extremely useful at home for all manner of short term and long term projects and chores.
Here are a few ways you can put your heavy duty waterproof tarp to work around the house:
- Working on a building or construction project around the house? Use tarps to protect your supplies from the elements
- Protecting lawn furniture from weather
- Cover your firewood
- Tarps are very useful while raking leaves, and make transporting them a cinch
- Covering your car temporarily
- Temporary privacy barrier/ wall
- Lay down beneath a picnic blanket to keep grass from poking through
- Own a bounce house? Tarps are essential for bounce house operation
- Quick, temporary shade or weather protection
- Build a short term fort for your kids
- Temporarily block the wind on a porch or patio while working on a project outdoors
- Cover plants during a cold snap to keep them safe, to a reasonable degree anyway
- Great for temporary pet protection; use it in your car, or cover furniture while potty training
- Leaky roof? Temporarily cover the hole, or simply cover your furniture indoors
- Countless uses when camping, from adding extra protection to camping tents to lining the ground around your campsite
- Line the bed of your pickup truck
- Use with a barrel to put together a rain catcher and use rainwater to water your yard and your plants
- Many useful applications when moving, especially with protecting/ covering furniture and other belongings
- There are lots of emergency uses for tarps too, including building temporary shelters, using as blankets, or even crafting clothing items
- Don’t throw out those old tarps! Use them for dirtier jobs, like painting or lining an area of your mudroom
Looking for Heavy Duty Waterproof Tarps? Give PTD a Call!
Party Tents Direct sells more than just party tents. We also have a wide selection of tarps, useful in just about any scenario where a tarp is useful. And yes, that includes everything we just listed in that last segment.
From our lightweight water resistant multipurpose tarps to our fully waterproof commercial grade heavy duty tarps, PTD’s catalog of tarps are built to last. Our tarps prove their value in real-world party rental environments before they make their way to our shelves. So whether you’re a consumer using these tarps in your yard or a professional rental operator, you can rely on their quality for a good long time.
Give PTD a call today at 1-716-566-5804 and let us help you find the perfect tarp for your needs. We’ll chat with you about your needs and help you choose the best heavy duty tarps for every application you need them for.
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