This is the process for fixing tar and gravel roofs:
- Find the spot where the leaking is happening, look for areas where gravel is missing and tar is exposed.
- Clear off gravel in a 100 sq.ft area around this low spot and dry completely.
- Cut out any blisters that may be found. Allow to dry. Cracks and blisters are leak points in the system
- Apply tar underneath the cut areas and fold cut into the tar. Ensure the coat is applied to the entire area and extends past the repair area.
- Apply asphalt-saturated fabric to repaired area over the tar, then another layer of tar to the repair area and beyond to the old roof.
- Push stones over repair area.
How do you repair a tar roof?
Steps to repair flat tar and gravel roof:
- Remove gravel from damaged spot and apply thick layer of roofing tar.
- Apply more tar.
- Add tar until you fill in the opening to the existing roof level.
- Add a patch of reinforcing mesh, making sure you press it into tar until it's fully saturated.
How to remove a tar and gravel roof?
The Right Tools
- Give each crew member a roofing tear-off shovel. ...
- Break up the tar and gravel roof with a carbide roofing cutter. ...
- Use a roofing spudder or pry bar when the tear-off shovel or cutter do not work. ...
- If you are into spending the big bucks and wish to cut your workload down by a factor of ten, invest in a motorized roof saw, roof stripper, or spudding ...
How long to tar and gravel roofs typically last?
There are multiple factors that determine how long a tar and gravel roof will last. These include the quality of the iniital installation, the quality of the materials, the environment, regular maintenance and the effectiveness of your attic ventilation system. A new tar and gravel roof normally lasts between 10 and 20 years.
What is the benefit to a tar and gravel roof?
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Tar And Gravel Roof?
- Easy to install. Tar and gravel roofs are, compared to many other roofs, quite easy to install. ...
- Waterproof. A tar and gravel roof is completely waterproof. ...
- Energy-efficient. Every tar and gravel roof is, across the top of its surface, coated in gravel. ...
- Low-maintenance. Since tar and gravel roofs are so durable, they are easy to maintain. ...
How do you maintain a tar and gravel roof?
A tar and gravel roof needs regular maintenance to extend its lifespan. At least once a year, check the gravel – if the roof surface becomes exposed, it accelerates the deterioration of the roof. Add gravel where necessary. Remove any leaf debris that builds up over time.
What is the life expectancy of a tar and gravel roof?
With regular maintenance and repair, a tar and gravel roof can last as long as 30 years. You can strengthen your tar and gravel roof by adding additional roofing layers made out of fiberglass or foam to increase insulation.
Can you shingle over a tar and gravel roof?
In this case, you might try scraping off as much of the gravel as possible and installing a new roof deck — either plywood or OSB — over the existing roof. This sheathing should be nailed to the rafters, unless a thick, solid wood deck was originally installed. Asphalt shingles can then be installed over the sheathing.
How do you repair roofing tar?
Spread a layer of tar on the roof beneath the spot you have cut away. Press the flaps from the cut portion into the tar and then spread another layer of tar on top of the flaps. Push the tar from this layer out a little farther so that it goes about six inches past the ends of the cut.
What is better than a tar and gravel roof?
Advances have been made within the roofing industry and there is now a better and more efficient alternative to tar and gravel systems; membranes or single-ply roofing systems.
What is a tar and gravel roof called?
A built-up roof (BUR), sometimes called a tar-and-gravel roof, is a tried-and-true style of flat roof. Here, alternating layers of roofing felt (usually fiberglass) and hot-applied asphalt are combined to create a long-lasting roof system.
What can you replace a tar and gravel roof with?
Membranes such as PVC, TPO, and EPDM can replace asphalt roofs and eliminate the problems that are sometimes encountered with them. These membranes are resistant to UV rays. They are single-ply materials, which saves the time and expense of installing multiple layers.
What does the gravel do on a tar and gravel roof?
Gravel is added on top of tar (and sometimes Single-Ply EPDM) roof systems as protection from UV rays, foot traffic, and wear from weather. If the gravel stones break down, they become less effective and leave your important roof layers prone to wear and damage.
What is the best roofing material to use on a flat roof?
PVC Roofing Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) roofing membranes have been heralded as one of the best flat roofing materials in the single-ply roofing industry. The material is made from processed petroleum or a natural gas and salt mixture.
How do I fix a leak in my gravel roof?
Apply tar underneath the cut areas and fold cut into the tar. Ensure the coat is applied to the entire area and extends past the repair area. Apply asphalt-saturated fabric to repaired area over the tar, then another layer of tar to the repair area and beyond to the old roof. Push stones over repair area.
What is the best tar to patch a roof?
BEST OVERALL: LR Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant – Multi-Surface.BEST VALUE: Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape.BEST FOR LEAKS: LR Liquid Rubber Peel and Stick Seam Tape.BEST FOR RV ROOFS: LR Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating – Solar Reflective.BEST FOR FLAT ROOFS: Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing Coating.More items...•
Is roofing cement the same as roofing tar?
Many homeowners aren't sure if they should use roofing cement or tar when remodeling the roof of their home. The main difference between roofing cement and tar is that tar is water-resistant, where roofing cement can create a barrier that prevents water from getting through.
Why do they put gravel on roofs?
Gravel is added on top of tar (and sometimes Single-Ply EPDM) roof systems as protection from UV rays, foot traffic, and wear from weather. If the gravel stones break down, they become less effective and leave your important roof layers prone to wear and damage.
What is the life expectancy of a built-up roof?
20 to 30 yearsBuilt-Up Roof (BUR) The average lifespan of BUR is 20 to 30 years, depending on the climate and the particular materials that it's made of. Still, there are specific constructions that can last up to 40 years.
How long is a slate roof good for?
75 to 200 years''Hard slate will last anywhere from 75 to 200 years, while soft slate will last only 50 to 125 years,'' he said, adding that as a result, a homeowner trying to decide whether to repair, restore or replace a slate roof should first determine whether the existing slate is hard or soft.
Why is there gravel on a flat roof?
Gravel Helps Protect Underlying Roof Layers Adding gravel over the final layer of roofing mix will protect it against ultraviolet rays, hail and other weather elements. Do not worry; the gravel will not be washed away by rain because it is embedded in the top coat of asphalt.
What is SPF Roofing?
Urecoat SPF Roofing System offers an innovative roofing option for tar and gravel replacement. This system is spray applied leaving a seamless membrane where leaks cannot penetrate through the membrane. SPF Roofing System is ideal for replacing of tar and gravel roofs as the roofing system is applied overtop of the existing roof, reducing labor and costs of roof tear-off. If applied the proper way, SPF Roofing Systems will have significantly less maintenance costs than traditional tar and gravel roofs.
Can you repair tar and gravel?
Repairing tar and gravel roofs can lead to a very complex process should there be significant damage or improper installation. This is the process for fixing tar and gravel roofs:
How to get tar off a blister?
Brush the gravel off the blister, then cut an ‘X’ into the blister. Open them up to dry out, trowel in some tar, and nail down the flaps of the ‘X’. Put a medium coat of tar over the ‘X’ extending about 6” around it, then cut and place rag over the tarred area, using the trowel to push it till the tar squishes through.
Why does a flat roof leak?
A ‘flat’ roof still has an almost imperceptible slope to it to handle drainage of rain and snow. Leaks happen where things penetrate the roof surface, on flat areas where water ponds, and when blisters crack open.
What do you need to repair a blister?
For blister repair, you’ll need tar, a roll of fiber cloth (rag), a trowel, a utility knife, roofing nails and a hammer. Be careful, tar is contagious, spreading everywhere quickly. Plan to toss your clothes away afterwards. Brush the gravel off the blister, then cut an ‘X’ into the blister.
Is it easy to repair a tar roof?
Tar and gravel roof repair is relatively easy process, but is quite messy and smelly. When leaks on the ceiling point your way to your flat roof, get out your old clothes and get busy.
Why do you put tar and gravel on a flat roof?
Contractors and builders use gravel on flat roofing for two primary reasons; the first is to protect the underlying layer of roofing materials on built-up roofs (BURs), and the second is to secure or weigh down the roofing material, ...
How much of a tar and gravel roof needs to be replaced?
Most experts tend to say that if that if more than 25% of a tar and gravel roof is covered in patches, then the roof needs to be entirely replaced.
What Are Tar & Gravel Roofs or Built-Up Roofs?
Built-up roofs or BURs (also called a tar and gravel roof) is a well-established and popular style of flat roof that is made up of alternating layers of roofing felt or fiberglass and asphalt that is applied with heat, which combines to make a long-lasting sturdy roofing system.
Why do you need proof of tar and gravel roof?
This is because if a natural disaster or significant damage of some kind happens, you have proof of the prior condition of your built-up or tar and gravel roof, which will make your upcoming insurance claim much easier to process. You will thank yourself – and your public adjuster will thank you too – later.
How long does tar last on a bur roof?
Repairing tar and gravel is of course best left to the professionals, and since a properly maintained BUR roofing system can last for decades, chances are you will have to repair your roofing system at some point during its existence.
What is gravel on asphalt?
The gravel embedded on the top coat of asphalt (the flood coat) protects the underlying layers from the elements, including ultraviolet rays and natural threats like roof hail damage or heavy rains. Various types of BURs require a different type and weight of gravel depending on the underlying layers, the structure of the building, ...
How long does a tar roof last?
The benefits of a tar and gravel roof are numerous. They tend to have a lifespan of around 20 to 25 years depending on the location and the structure of the rest of the property (barring any major natural disasters of course). The weatherproofing aspects of the gravel embedded in the roof can prevent degradation like cracking or blistering ...
What material is used for roof flashing?
On all roof types, overlapped seams between roof sheeting, flashing details, mechanical equipment curbs, pitch pockets, cable mounts and drain transitions need to be counter flashed with polyester fabric and installed into a wet bed of Blue Max.
What is a built up roof?
Built-up roofs or BURs (also called a tar and gravel roof) is a well-established and popular style of flat roof that is made up of alternating layers of roofing felt or fiberglass and asphalt that is applied with heat, which combines to make a long-lasting sturdy roofing system . This multi-layer system uses various forms of tar and gravel to create interlocking waterproofing layers on flat roof systems. Typically, these roofs are in extreme climates with large amounts of rain fall and wet weather storms. These roof systems, although lasting, have often presented a negative impact on the environment, but with AMES Waterproofing coatings you can help reduce the impact of toxic, green-house gasses that are expelled from this type of roof system.
When to apply unused materials to surfaces?
Continue to apply all unused materials to the surfaces until materials are depleted and the calculated dry millage for the project is reached and to recommend product specifications.
How to smooth out a rough transition?
These irregular areas can be pre-leveled or pre-smoothed out by applying Blue Max Trowel Grade Roof Transition material with a trowel, bondo squeegee, or chip brush. If applying multiple layers of trowel grade, apply in maximum lifts of ¼ inch. Material can be bulked up with the addition of rubber granules. The smoother transitions created by using Blue Max Trowel will make the flashing work apply more evenly and will trap less water.
Why do you put gravel over hot tar?
As the final coat of hot tar is installed, fine gravel is applied over the coat to protect it from the effects of sunlight and help spread water across the roof to the edges and roof drains. Check for leaks by inspecting the gravel and metal flashing when the roof is dry.
What does it mean when a roof drain is gravel?
Inspect the areas at the lower ends of roof drainpipes and downspouts for an excessive amount of gravel that indicates the roofing tar has deteriorated.
