Tarping in Winter is a PITA!

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Snag

New Member
Oct 12, 2009
70
South Central PA
Well, I've got my winter wood moved from back of the property up to the house, about 4 cords of oak stacked in 4 rows running along a 24' section of the dog fence in the back yard. I've used tarps, for three years now, to keep the wood snow free in winter, covering only the tops of the stacks but as I remove from the rows the tarps get closer to the ground, flap around in the wind, etc. By late Feb. I've got puddles of tarp, tangles of cord and weights everywhere.... just a big, big, big, big pain in the patooty. This year I've been playing around with the idea of using a 2x4 cut to 8' lengths/tarp width and stapling it to the tarp and affix the other edge of the tarp to the fence. I'm thinking I could run a length of cord under the tarp, tie it to the fencing and then bring it back over the tarp, Like a giant Roman shade. My idea is to then tie a carbiner to the top piece of cord and tie loops in the bottom piece of cord. I figured if I rolled the tarp up to one of the loops and then use the clips to keep the tarp from unrolling. My thought was that the top cord, weighted down by the 2x4 and the rolled up part of the tarp would also keep the top of the tarp from billowing in the wind and I wouldn't have all those cords and weights waiting to trip me up. Am I over thinking this, had anyone tried this and have it work or fail miserably?

Carolyn
 
Snag said:
Well, I've got my winter wood moved from back of the property up to the house, about 4 cords of oak stacked in 4 rows running along a 24' section of the dog fence in the back yard. I've used tarps, for three years now, to keep the wood snow free in winter, covering only the tops of the stacks but as I remove from the rows the tarps get closer to the ground, flap around in the wind, etc. By late Feb. I've got puddles of tarp, tangles of cord and weights everywhere.... just a big, big, big, big pain in the patooty. This year I've been playing around with the idea of using a 2x4 cut to 8' lengths/tarp width and stapling it to the tarp and affix the other edge of the tarp to the fence. I'm thinking I could run a length of cord under the tarp, tie it to the fencing and then bring it back over the tarp, Like a giant Roman shade. My idea is to then tie a carbiner to the top piece of cord and tie loops in the bottom piece of cord. I figured if I rolled the tarp up to one of the loops and then use the clips to keep the tarp from unrolling. My thought was that the top cord, weighted down by the 2x4 and the rolled up part of the tarp would also keep the top of the tarp from billowing in the wind and I wouldn't have all those cords and weights waiting to trip me up. Am I over thinking this, had anyone tried this and have it work or fail miserably?

Carolyn

Hi Carolyn,
I too have fought the tarp battle and finally built a wood shelter with tarp sides and find this a much better solution than tarps.. Having a shelter along with a wagon with pneumatic tires and a wood hoop in the house has made wood burning a more pleasurable experience.. Some people here have fashioned shelters with free pallets and a fixed roof eliminating the tarp problem.. We tend to get some heavy winds here and have to replace bungi cords but have learned that doubling up the bungi's has reduced them snapping under high winds (my tarps are secured at the top)..

Good luck!

Ray
 
Sounds like it would work. There's one way to find out...try it! :)

I'm going to try some old rubber-backed floor runner mats. One mat covers one row of wood. Then I won't have to fight the huge tarp...
 
I've posted the following picture before but since you are kind of new to hearth.com here's my solution. Tarp is tied on three sides, open side is slit and held in place with a length of electrical conduit. When I need wood, I simply lift the conduit and place it on top, pull out the wood I need and then drop the conduit:

woodpile_covered1a.jpg


There are 2x4's 8' long spanning the stacks and pallets are just laid on top with a few brick on one 2x4 length to create a slight pitch to the top.

I don't have the luxury of a wood shed so this system works well for me.
 
Shari said:
I've posted the following picture before but since you are kind of new to hearth.com here's my solution. Tarp is tied on three sides, open side is slit and held in place with a length of electrical conduit. When I need wood, I simply lift the conduit and place it on top, pull out the wood I need and then drop the conduit:

woodpile_covered1a.jpg


There are 2x4's 8' long spanning the stacks and pallets are just laid on top with a few brick on one 2x4 length to create a slight pitch to the top.

I don't have the luxury of a wood shed so this system works well for me.

That's a good way to tarp but too much wind to work here.. Noreasters blow some very strong winds and would beat that tarp to death here.. I think your idea is a good one but may be a problem with 50+ mph winds..

Ray
 
It sounds like it would work, but wind is powerful. Using the fence to advantage in some way is a plus. You are able to draw down the pile down the lengths, as they were laid up, which is nice. I have a stack exactly the same size next to my garage, with no fence. My plan is to tie down sheets of plywood over it so that there is an overhang of a foot or so and remove wood from the end, cutting the cords and removing the sheets while going down the pile; a tarp might be involved somehow because of wind driven snow.
 
Carolyn
Below is a poor picture of my tarped wood. On top of the double row stack under the tarp is a 5/12 peek roof frame made from 2X2. The frames are 4 ft wide and 8 ft long. The frame has web strapping ***** around it. This frame sits on top of the wood. It is the support for the tarps, so the tarps don't touch the sharp wood and rip. Also the strapping stops the snow from sagging the tarp.

The tarps are tied down with adjustable tent ropes and small bungee.

It's not perfect but after a lot of tarp designs this is my best so far. It can take a lot of high wind and rarely pulls the stakes out. The plan is to someday make a similar hard roof design.

Tom
 

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I really hate seeing tarps blowing all over and making the wood pile look awful. I think this is where many families have problems when the lady of the house wants the wood pile out of sight. If kept neat a wood pile need not be an eyesore. I also do not like to see the sides of the stack covered.

Here is what we use (and I used to use tarps too).

Woodfrom2009.jpg


It is old galvanized roofing. Works great. Notice that one of the stacks has rubber roofing for a covering. I was not satisfied with the results of that but it did keep the wood dry.

The stacks closest are what will be burned this coming winter. It was stacked in April 2009.
 
Here's my solution to the pain of tarping . . . ;)
 

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here's mine
 

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Your idea sounds good Carolyn. I made wood racks with a frame, sort of like xman but havent put a top on like his, mines flat, I then tie the tarps over the frame and as I remove wood the tarp stays securely fastened. If I get time this summer I plan on putting tops like xman, it will help keep the snow off and stand up better as I remove wood. Since you have the fence to work with Id go with your idea.
 
varna said:
here's mine

How much did that run you, if you don't mind my asking?
 
Here mine! :lol:
 

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Spikem said:
varna said:
here's mine

How much did that run you, if you don't mind my asking?

It's 18 X 21. I had 1 ft of height added and the end eves done to "square" off for easier of mounting the tarps (which was extra cost). $1195 installed.

I had the tarps custom made for the size and quality I "wanted" which was another couple hundred....including bungee cord, eye bolts, and S hooks.

I made the door out of an old sign I bought at an auction.

I was going to build a 12 x 20 PT one but by the time I figured the cost and my labor to do the job, this turned out to be a better choice (for me anyway). I got to drink cold ones while watching it being put up too :) May not have been the absolute "cheapest" way to do it but I am extremely satisfied with it. Right now, about 12+ full cords in it..... tarps are rolled up for summer.
 
varna said:
Spikem said:
varna said:
here's mine

How much did that run you, if you don't mind my asking?

It's 18 X 21. I had 1 ft of height added and the end eves done to "square" off for easier of mounting the tarps (which was extra cost). $1195 installed.

I had the tarps custom made for the size and quality I "wanted" which was another couple hundred....including bungee cord, eye bolts, and S hooks.

I made the door out of an old sign I bought at an auction.

I was going to build a 12 x 20 PT one but by the time I figured the cost and my labor to do the job, this turned out to be a better choice (for me anyway). I got to drink cold ones while watching it being put up too :) May not have been the absolute "cheapest" way to do it but I am extremely satisfied with it. Right now, about 12+ full cords in it..... tarps are rolled up for summer.

That's an excellent price. Who did you go through? (I'm assuming that will hold up under a lot of snow.)

I'm never priced it out but I would have assumed it would have been twice that.
 
Spikem said:
varna said:
Spikem said:
varna said:
here's mine

How much did that run you, if you don't mind my asking?

It's 18 X 21. I had 1 ft of height added and the end eves done to "square" off for easier of mounting the tarps (which was extra cost). $1195 installed.

I had the tarps custom made for the size and quality I "wanted" which was another couple hundred....including bungee cord, eye bolts, and S hooks.

I made the door out of an old sign I bought at an auction.

I was going to build a 12 x 20 PT one but by the time I figured the cost and my labor to do the job, this turned out to be a better choice (for me anyway). I got to drink cold ones while watching it being put up too :) May not have been the absolute "cheapest" way to do it but I am extremely satisfied with it. Right now, about 12+ full cords in it..... tarps are rolled up for summer.

That's an excellent price. Who did you go through? (I'm assuming that will hold up under a lot of snow.)

I'm never priced it out but I would have assumed it would have been twice that.

http://www.tntcarports.net/

Ray
 
I tried tarps but the 60-70mph winds we get in the winter took care of them in short order.

Then tried OSB and again wind just lifted them off the pile. Not going to waste my time with it this year, just let the snow fall on the wood, will just shovel it off.
 
Spikem said:
varna said:
Spikem said:
varna said:
here's mine

How much did that run you, if you don't mind my asking?

It's 18 X 21. I had 1 ft of height added and the end eves done to "square" off for easier of mounting the tarps (which was extra cost). $1195 installed.

I had the tarps custom made for the size and quality I "wanted" which was another couple hundred....including bungee cord, eye bolts, and S hooks.

I made the door out of an old sign I bought at an auction.

I was going to build a 12 x 20 PT one but by the time I figured the cost and my labor to do the job, this turned out to be a better choice (for me anyway). I got to drink cold ones while watching it being put up too :) May not have been the absolute "cheapest" way to do it but I am extremely satisfied with it. Right now, about 12+ full cords in it..... tarps are rolled up for summer.

That's an excellent price. Who did you go through? (I'm assuming that will hold up under a lot of snow.)

I'm never priced it out but I would have assumed it would have been twice that.

I bought it through a local dealer but Carolina Carports is who came and put it up. Mine does have the "horizontal" ribs running the roof. The vertical ribs are stronger and in turn cost more. Mine is the heavier gauge steel and also has the supports on every upright corner and under the center ridge(some do not have these)
I know about snow load and keep my eye on it, but there are many of these carports in my area and we have had some "banner" years of snowfall lately and I have only seen a couple fail.
 
Thanks for all your ideas and thoughts. I've got a "wood shed" - I keep about 10 cord out of sight under cover of the barn. Dealing with tarps is less of a PITA than having to trek through snow, or worse, ice, to get to that firewood so's I gotta move it forward. With the house footprint, the fence and the width of the driveway, A second wood shed isn't the best option. I'm able to stack the wood close, keep it on the driveway and still have a little room to turn the vehicles around. I'm going to try this tarping idea this year but with a nod to wind concerns, use 2x6's or 4X4's instead of 2x4's for added weight. I'm also going to run the lines 4' apart and run a few lines down along the short sides of the pile where I won't be tripping over them to hold the tarp down there as well.
 
Love the idea of galvinized/solid roofing panels but if any of it would blow off, especially if it blew into the dog yard, there would be a risk that it might catch one of the dogs and so some serious injury, so it's not an option for me.

Carolyn
 
Would love to setup a wood shed, but would need to hold at least 5-6 cords and I really don't have the time or money to build anything.

My folks heated with wood for almost 30 years and never covered their wood. Everything that was needed for the winter was brought into the basement in the fall though. I don't have that luxury as I don't have a basement and I'd rather not stack wood in my shed or garage, enough junk in those already and it would be a fire hazard in the garage (welders, torch, plasma cutter, grinders, etc)
 
varna said:
here's mine

Varna, those do indeed make great wood sheds. However, I would not put tarps around it. Better to be open on the sides all the time. Don't have to worry about rain or snow hitting the sides of the wood stacks. That runs off and is usually completely dry within 24 hours after a rain.
 
NATE379 said:
I tried tarps but the 60-70mph winds we get in the winter took care of them in short order.

Then tried OSB and again wind just lifted them off the pile. Not going to waste my time with it this year, just let the snow fall on the wood, will just shovel it off.

Same here, though our winds aren't that strong! But I tried tarping one winter and just pulled them off after a couple of months. Fighting with snow-covered tarps is far more of a PITA than brushing/banging snow off the wood, by me. I just can't see the point.
 
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