Is Every Heavy Duty Tarpaulin Fully Waterproof

People often ask if every heavy duty tarpaulin blocks rain completely. The simple answer is no. A thick cover does not always mean it will keep water out. Many buyers make the mistake of thinking thick fabric stops water automatically. You must check the specific details before you buy one.

Manufacturers make these sheets from many different materials. Therefore, you will find big differences in how each grey tarpaulin handles rain. Some fabrics only slow the water down. Other materials block water entirely. You need to know what job you want the cover to do.

Learn The Truth About Covers

Not All Materials Stop Water

Cotton canvas feels very strong and heavy. However, a cotton tarpaulin mostly breathes and lets air pass through. This feature prevents mold from growing on your things. Sadly, a steady rain will eventually soak through the cotton. You cannot trust cotton to keep your items completely dry.

Polyethylene offers a much better choice for wet weather. Factories weave strips of plastic together to make this specific tarpaulin. Then, they melt a solid layer of plastic over the top and bottom. Because of this solid layer, rain simply slides off the surface completely.

Understand The Water Resistance Rating

Some Fabrics Just Repel Water

You must learn the difference between waterproof and water resistant. A water resistant tarpaulin only protects your things for a short time. Light rain might sit on the surface in small drops. Eventually, the water finds a way inside. Heavy rain will ruin your items quickly.

Waterproof means water cannot pass through the material at all. A fully waterproof tarpaulin acts like a solid plastic wall. Even if a puddle sits on the cover for days, the bottom stays dry. Always read the package label carefully. The label tells you the exact protection level.

Look At The Seams Carefully

Stitching Can Let Water Inside

Seams play a huge part in keeping water out. Workers sew a heavy duty tarpaulin together with thick thread. Sewing creates tiny holes all along the edge. Water loves to sneak through these tiny needle holes. As a result, the edge leaks easily.

Heat sealed seams solve this leaking problem. Instead of sewing, machines melt the edges of the tarpaulins together. This melting process creates one solid piece of plastic. Consequently, water finds no tiny holes to enter. Look for heat welded seams for total protection.

Check The Coating And Thickness

Plastic Layers Block Water Completely

Thickness gives a sheet extra strength against wind and rocks. Also, a thicker tarpaulin usually carries a heavier layer of protective plastic. Factories measure this thickness in a unit called mils. A higher number means a thicker sheet. Thicker sheets resist tearing much better than thin ones.

Vinyl provides the ultimate defense against bad weather. A vinyl tarpaulin costs more money than a standard plastic cover. However, vinyl stops heavy storms, strong winds, and sharp branches. Truck drivers use vinyl because it survives terrible storms. You get exactly what you pay for with vinyl.

Sunlight Can Ruin Your Cover

UV Rays Break The Fabric

The sun acts as a hidden enemy to your outdoor gear. Bright sunlight slowly cooks the plastic on your tarpaulin. After a few months, the sun bakes the plastic until it becomes hard. Then, the fabric starts to crack. These cracks let rainwater pour inside.

You can stop this sun damage easily. Simply buy tarpaulins that have a special sun coating. Factories add this chemical layer to fight off harmful sun rays. Thus, the covers stay soft and flexible for many years. A flexible cover will not crack and will keep your things dry.

Secure Your Gear Very Tightly

Wind Pushes Rain Inside Easily

Buying a great cover solves only half the problem. Next, you must tie your tarpaulin down properly. Loose edges flap wildly in the wind. When edges flap, the wind blows rain straight underneath the cover. You must pull the edges tight to stop this.

Metal rings sit along the edges of almost every cover. We call these rings grommets. You put ropes or cords through the grommets on your tarpaulin. Then, you pull the ropes tight and tie them to heavy objects. Tight ropes create a smooth roof that sheds water fast.

Store Your Items With Care

Prevent Puddles On The Top

A flat roof causes big problems during a storm. If you lay a tarpaulin flat, rain builds up in the middle. The heavy water stretches the fabric downward. Soon, a giant puddle forms and pulls the whole cover down. The puddle might even rip the material.

You must build a small peak in the middle. Place a tall box or pole under the center of the tarpaulin. This tall object creates a tent shape. Therefore, rain hits the peak and rolls right down the sides. Gravity pulls the water away from your protected items.

Keep Your Cover Looking Great

Wash The Dirt Away Safely

Dirt and tree sap will slowly eat the protective coating. Because of this, you must clean your tarpaulins at least once a year. Lay the sheet out on a flat driveway. Mix some mild dish soap into a bucket of warm water. Grab a soft sponge to wipe the dirt.

Never use harsh chemicals or rough brushes. A stiff brush scratches the waterproof layer right off your tarpaulin. Once you scratch the plastic, water will find its way in. Simply rinse the soap away with a garden hose. Finally, hang the cover up until it dries completely.

Buy The Right Sheet Today

Protect Your Things Very Well

Now you know how to shop for a rain cover. Remember to check the material type before you grab any tarpaulin off the store shelf. Look for heat welded seams instead of stitched edges. Make sure you read the package to find the word waterproof.

A thick cover does a wonderful job when you pick the correct one. Not every heavy duty tarpaulin stops water perfectly. However, vinyl and thick polyethylene block rain without any issues. Keep your items safe by choosing smart fabrics. I hope this simple guide helps you stay completely dry outdoors.