Category Archives: roofing

should I stay home during roof replacement

Should I Stay Home During Roof Replacement? Pros and Cons

Are you about to have your roof replaced? It can be a stressful time. Not only that, but it can be an expensive one. With all those costs, you might be asking yourself should I stay home during roof replacement or staying in a hotel while it鈥檚 getting done. You might not be able to afford, it, or you might simply want to stay home.

But can you stay home during a roof replacement? The answer to that is yes. You CAN. But that doesn鈥檛 mean you should. In this article, we鈥檙e going to look at a few of the issues associated with staying home during a roof replacement, so that you can make the right choice for you, your family, and your home.

Staying home during roof replacement can sometimes work, but it isn鈥檛 always the best idea. Check out the rest of this article for all the info you need to that you can make an informed choice.

Should I Stay Home During Roof Replacement?

Benefits of staying home during roof repair

Let鈥檚 have a look at a few benefits of staying home during roof repair so that you can make a good choice. In a bit, we鈥檒l look at some of the drawbacks as well.

  1. It鈥檚 cheaper

Should I stay home during roof replacementThis is one of the biggest reasons why people choose to stay at home during roof repairs. Cost. After all, roof repairs and especially replacements are expensive at the best of times. If you鈥檙e not happy with the amount of money you鈥檙e having to spend on it, you might not want to spend more on additional accommodation.

You might not even be able to afford it. That鈥檚 why more and more people are choosing to stay at home during roof work. You won鈥檛 have to pay for a hotel or other accommodation during the work, so you鈥檒l save costs.

If you鈥檝e got someone to stay with without incurring any additional costs, then great. Even better if it鈥檚 someone on the same street like a neighbor. That means you can still get some of the benefits of staying near your home without all of the negatives.

2. You can oversee the work

You should always make sure you spend a lot of time choosing the right roofing firm. This is important. You need a team you can trust. So make sure you get references, check their previous jobs and get recommendations from people you know.

Even if you鈥檝e done all that, you still might not want to leave a team of strangers in your home while you aren鈥檛 there. While most roofers will be fine, it鈥檚 your home after all. So you might want to stay in it while work is being done. That鈥檚 understandable.

Not only do some people simply not want to leave their own homes in the hands of strangers, you can also oversee the work by staying there. That means you can make sure roofers are arriving on time and aren鈥檛 taking too many breaks. You can make sure they鈥檙e working professionally and efficiently. That鈥檚 one key benefit of staying at home during roof replacements.

3. It鈥檚 more convenient

Staying at home CAN be more convenient. We鈥檒l look at why it might not be in a minute. But if you have to take all your stuff somewhere else for a bit, be further from work, and put up with other inconveniences, it isn鈥檛 always that easy. If you can put up with some of the drawbacks from being at home during roof replacement, then a lot of the other aspects of your life won鈥檛 have to change much.

Drawbacks of staying at home during roof repair

You鈥檝e seen the positives, now it鈥檚 time for the negatives.

  1. It might be noisy

One of the biggest reasons people don鈥檛 like to stay at home during roof repairs is the noise. After all, roof repairs and replacements aren鈥檛 quiet. This noise can be off-putting at the best of times, or unbearable at others. If you鈥檙e someone who can鈥檛 put up with a lot of noise, you might want to rethink your living arrangements while the repairs are going on.

2. It can be stressful

Seeing all these people coming through your home, working on it and doing other things can be stressful. Aside from the noise, simply seeing your roof being taken apart isn鈥檛 for everyone. Not all roofing jobs run smoothly, and while your roof should be fixed and ready to go when the job is finished, if you鈥檙e there while mishaps and problems are occurring, this could be loading unnecessary stress onto yourself. You might not need that.

3. It might not be safe

Depending on the type of work going on, the layout of your home and the type of roof you have, it simply might not be safe to stay around. Even if you have other parts of your home that are still in a liveable condition, you might need to wear a hard hat when entering and exiting your home. It simply might not be safe to stay there, and that鈥檚 the biggest reason of them all not to.

4. It can be cold

Your roof helps keep warmth in your property. So even if it鈥檚 safe to stay inside (it might not be), it could be cold. Especially if your roof is open overnight, and especially if you鈥檙e having repairs done in the winter.

5. It might not be possible depending on your home

Roof replacements won鈥檛 always leave the home liveable at all times. This is especially true if you live in a bungalow or somewhere where the living space is open up to the roof. These are the sorts of homes where you won鈥檛 really be able to stay. Make sure you consult with a roofing expert if you鈥檙e unsure, but there should be parts of your home that aren鈥檛 affected by the roof job if you live in a multi-story home.

If there aren鈥檛, then you simply might not have the choice of being able to stay there. Always go by what your roofer says. If they think it鈥檚 not really possible for you to live at home, then don鈥檛.

6. It鈥檚 not always convenient

While it鈥檚 nice being able to stay at home, it might not be convenient. Especially if it鈥檚 cold, noisy and you have to wear a hard hat.

Open Faced Downspout. What is it And Why You Need One

Are you thinking about getting some new guttering installed but aren鈥檛 sure which option to go for? Did you know that there are a number of reasons why an open faced downspout is recommended more and more often for your roof gutters and building guttering?

If you want to know why, then you鈥檙e in the right place. In this article, we鈥檙e going to look at a number of issues associated with open faced downspouts.

  • What are they
  • What are they good for
  • And why might they be the right option for your construction or building?

In this article, we鈥檙e going to have a look.

While you might not have spent that much time thinking about guttering options in the past it鈥檚 good to know exactly what鈥檚 going to work for your building or roof. There are plenty of good reasons to choose open faced downspouts. So if you want to know what they are, keep reading for all the info you might need on open downspouts and more.

What is an open faced downspout anyway?

You can probably already guess that an open faced downspout has an open face that faces outwards. This is unlike traditional downspouts from gutters that tend to have a closed face or be fully enclosed.

Both types of downspouts have their benefits, but there are actually a number of key reasons why you might want to choose an open faced variant鈥攅specially if you live in an area that has particularly cold winters.

More and more roof installers and other guttering experts are opting for open faced spouts as a better alternative to more traditional downspouts. That鈥檚 for a number of reasons. So let鈥檚 have a look at them:

What are the benefits of open faced downspouts?

  1. The first reason why more people are opting for open faced downspouts is because they prevent popped seams due to ice build-up. That鈥檚 why they鈥檙e especially good in cold weather climates. When Water enters a downspout and freezes it expands, this can sometimes crack or burst open the downspout itself. Obviously, when the spout is open faced this isn鈥檛 really a problem, not only is it harder for water to freeze there but if it does it will have more space to expand and therefore cause less damage.

Open faced spouts allow water to expand so they don鈥檛 cause problems associated with closed face spouts. The seam will normally be behind the downspout and a popped one can cause your guttering to leak. This could even lead to the wall behind the spout deteriorating and requiring expensive repairs.

Water damage and even penetration through your walls can be expensive to fix, but all this can be avoided with open faced downspouts. With concrete or cinder walls, penetration can occur, while metal roofs can suffer rusting. Stucco walls could completely fall apart. If that isn鈥檛 enough of a reason to choose open faced downspouts.

2. Another benefit is that open faces allow light to go into the downspout itself. What this means is that the sunlight can thaw any ice if it is there, reducing ice build-up and any issues this might cause (like blockages). While you鈥檝e hopefully avoided cracked spouts with an open face, ice build-up still isn鈥檛 great.

It can make the spout much heavier and lead to damage, and it can also block water further up the spout. This can be avoided as sunlight is allowed into the open face and therefore helps the ice to melt, moving it down and away from the spout and freeing up space (and weight).

When ice builds up in standard downspouts, many issues can occur. The biggest of these issues is that with a regular closed downspout, when ice builds up this can put a massive weight on the downspout which can in-turn pulls it off the wall.

You can imagine how inconvenient and costly this could be, especially having to get repairs done during snowy and icy periods of weather. This pulling away from the wall can sometimes occur when the temperature warms up slightly and the ice begins to shift, pulling it all away from the wall at once.

This can cause a ton of damage not just to your downspout, but also to the rest of your guttering as some come down with it, and even your walls. Anything below the sput could also be damaged massively, even a vehicle or person! So you鈥檒l need to be extremely careful, and it鈥檚 another reason why open faced downspouts are such a good idea.

3. If those two reasons aren鈥檛 enough, there are more. One other big positive for open faced downspouts is that they allow an increased air intake, which can in-turn improve water flow capacity. Traditionally, vacuum gulfs can form in normal downspouts.

With open faced ones, this isn鈥檛 as much of a problem. When the water can escape faster from the pipes, there鈥檒l be less chance of uncontrollable gutter overflows if it rains a lot. That means you won鈥檛 be at as much risk of damage from water to your property.

Open faced spouts are also easier to inspect from damage and blockages, as well as easier to clean. That鈥檚 because you can see what鈥檚 going on in there just by looking at it. This has a number of key benefits and can make it much easier to carry out inspections and even make repairs.

There are simply loads of benefits to open faced downspouts and not too many negatives. They provide a much better flow of both water and air, are easier to evaluate and repair, and aren鈥檛 really any more expensive.

if you live in a cold climate and are worried about ice build-ups, you鈥檝e got even more reasons to choose open faced downspouts. They鈥檙e much better for your home in cold weather and avoid many of the problems associated with ice-build up that comes with traditional closed face downspouts. Have a look at getting open faced spouts for your guttering today.

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What is Roof Sheathing? And Why Do You Need It

There are loads of different types of roofs, so if you鈥檙e just learning about them for the first time it鈥檚 not surprising that you might never heard of roof sheathing. And it might be a bit confused. Not only are there loads of different TYPES of roofs, but there are also plenty of different components. Not every roof has all of them, but some are much more common than others.

So if you鈥檙e having roof trouble for the first time, or are a new homeowner, you might be trying to brush up on a few different aspects of roofing. This has brought you to the question, what is roof sheathing?

And if that鈥檚 something you want to know the answer to, then you鈥檙e in the right place. In this article, we鈥檙e going to tell you everything you need to know about roof sheathing:

  • We鈥檒l tell you what it is
  • what issues are associated with it
  • how to look after it and more.

Practically every type of roof has roof sheathing, so it鈥檚 a really important component of most roofs and one you need to look after. This article is all about roof sheathing. So let鈥檚 get started.

What is roof sheathing?

Roof sheathing is also known as roof decking in some areas and by some roofers. But this isn鈥檛 to be confused with garden decking that you put your outdoor tables and chairs on. Roof sheathing or decking is a hard and strong layer of wood that is normally fixed to the trusses and joints of your roof.

These wooden boards are important, and they help keep shingles attached to your roof. A roofer will normally attach standard shingles to the roof sheathing on your roof. Most roofs have shingles these days, so you can see how common roof sheathing is.

Roof sheathing tends to be made from plywood. It can also be made from another type of wood known as OSB, which stands for Oriented Stand Board. OSB can be lighter than plywood and also cheaper, but also not quite as strong. It can depend on what sort of shingles you have, where you鈥檙e located, or the cost implications of each type of material as to whether you鈥檒l have OSB or plywood roof sheathing. However, both these need to be strong and durable.

Plywood is much more durable but also more expensive. Your roofer might be able to recommend which sort is better for your roof and cost preferences. Most roofs these days actually use OSB and this works well most of the time. Slate or concrete tiles will require a stronger plywood, so it depends on the type of shingles you鈥檝e got or are having.

Roof sheathing鈥檚 main function is to simply strengthen your roof and offer a support system for shingles and other materials. You can think of roof sheathing as the foundation to the rest of the roof, even though it will obviously sit on the actual foundation of the roof the beams.

What are the benefits of roof sheathing?

Roof sheathing has plenty of benefits for your roof. But what are they? Let鈥檚 have a look.

1. Provides support and stability As we鈥檝e already touched on, one of the main benefits of roof sheathing is that it gives a lot of support to the rest of your roof. This makes it important for the installation of shingles, and especially heavy slate tiles.
Roof sheathing will help spread wight evenly across the entire structure of the roof, making the structure more sound. Sheathing will be fixed to supporting beams to make sure that snow and other heavy loads don鈥檛 cause major issues with your roof. They also provide the support for heavy shingles and make sure that the entire roof can take an even spread of weight to keep the structure in a good state.

2. Prevents leaks Another benefit of roof sheathing that you might be surprised to hear about is that they actually prevent leaks into your roof. That鈥檚 because the additional layer of boarding helps give an extra layer of protection against water and leaks. While shingles do tend to have a treatment that helps give some water protection, this isn鈥檛 always enough, and sheathing can give another layer of help.
Keeping the interior of your roof safe from leaks is important, especially if you live somewhere that gets a lot of heavy rain. That鈥檚 another reason why roof sheathing is so beneficial, because it can help increase the life of your roof by not
succumbing to water damage too easily or early in it鈥檚 lifespan.

3. Can protect against fires If these two benefits weren鈥檛 enough, roof sheathing can also be a good layer of protection against firest. While sheathing will not make your roof completely fireproof, many sheathing materials come with fire-resistant treatments and can help stop fires spreading.

When do you need new roof sheathing?

If you鈥檝e got an old roof, you might need new roof sheathing, It鈥檚 an important part of any roof, so it鈥檚 important you keep an eye on your sheathing and can tell if it needs fixing, repairing or replacing. You鈥檒l normally need to replace your sheathing if you re-roof your home for any reason. However, there might be other times when new sheathing is required.

If you can actually see damage or broken points on your sheathing, then it will obviously need replacing. Although sheathing is sturdy and durable, it can break if it has been put under a lot of pressure like from a tree branch or even if you stand on your roof.

You should be able to see broken sheathing quite easily, especially as your roof may sag. Other indications of broken sheathing include sawdust or pieces of wood that have fallen off in your roof cavity or attic.

Another indication of broken sheathing is water damage. This can sometimes be a bit harder to spot, but leaking could be a signal. Other indicators of water damage to your sheathing include puddles and stains.

Other signals of broken sheathing include ceilings sagging, light coming through the roof or visible rot. All of these might mean you need to consult a professional and potentially get new roof sheathing installed.

Can You Replace Only Half a Roof? Is it a Good or Bad Idea?

Have you got a damaged, broken or leaking roof? Maybe half of your roof has seen better days, but the other half is in a good condition? Roof repairs and especially replacements can be expensive, you probably know this already.

That鈥檚 why you might be wondering whether can you replace only half a roof. After all, it makes sense if the other half is in a good condition, and doing so might save you money on repairs. But is it possible? The reality is, replacing half a roof can be difficult.

It鈥檚 sometimes possible, but this depends on a lot of factors like the sort of roof you have and a number of other variables. So while you CAN replace half a roof, it isn鈥檛 a definitive 鈥淵ES鈥 in all situations.

We need to dig a bit deeper to give you a more definitive answer. So if you want to know a bit more about replacing only half a roof, you鈥檙e in the right place. In this article, we鈥檙e going to look at a number of factors associated with only replacing half a roof so that you can make the right choice.

Can you replace only half a roof?

While you can replace half a roof, and some roofers will do this many experts actually agree that this is generally a bad idea for your home. It might seem like a good choice, especially if half of your roof is in great condition while the other isn鈥檛.

Many people like the idea of replacing half a roof as they think it鈥檚 going to save them money, and if you can find a roofer who鈥檒l do it鈥攊t will. But it isn鈥檛 always the best idea. Why? Let鈥檚 have a look鈥

Why might you want to replace half a roof?

If a tree or something has fallen on part of a roof, you might see a lot of damage. But this might not be on ALL of your roof. That can lead many homeowners with the idea of only replacing a bit of it. That might even be why you found this article.

One reason many people want to replace half their roof is because their insurer won鈥檛 pay out the full amount of an entire roof repair or replacement. This is a big problem, and insurers often look for reasons not to pay.

Make sure you always check the small print of your home or roof insurance plan. Get the best coverage you can to make sure that any eventuality to your roof will be covered AND the whole cost will, as many roofers agree that replacing half a roof isn鈥檛 always the best idea.

If you鈥檝e got a leak or other small damage, the good news is that you probably won鈥檛 have to replace half a roof and can just get by with partial repairs.

When can you replace or repair part of a roof?

If you鈥檙e just looking to overlay rather than tear off and replace half a roof, this might be slightly easier. Other smaller spot fixes on partial parts of a roof can be possible and more recommended as well, for smaller issues like leaks and missing shingles.

If there was a storm or periods of heavy wind and you lost some shingles, a large-scale roof repair or replacement probably isn鈥檛 necessary. That means you can get by with regular roof repairs and have new shingles put in place.

Make sure you get a qualified expert roofer to come and half a look as soon as possible so that they can advise you what to do next.

If not much damage was done to the structure or underlayment of the roof, then you might only need partial spot fixes which can be easy for your roofer to do and not too expensive for you. However, you should be aware that new shingles might not match the color of your existing roof. This is only a minor cosmetic issue rather than a structural one, though.

Other smaller damaged areas of your roof can also be patched. If a massive area on your roof, like up to half of it, is damaged, this can have further complications and mean that partial patching and re-shingling isn鈥檛 possible. In these instances, you might want to replace half a roof, but this isn鈥檛 always a good idea.

Why is replacing half a roof a bad idea?

The first reason is that the slopes of your roof will be different ages. Shingles can last from between 25 to 50 years. If you only replace half the roof, one entire slope can be a different age to the other.

While a few newer shingles is acceptable from minor repairs, having half your roof a completely different age isn鈥檛 always a great option. It鈥檒l mean that you鈥檒l have to replace one half of the roof much earlier.

Many roofing companies won鈥檛 actually do half roof repairs, so it could also be harder to find someone to do it. What if you can find someone now, but not when you need the other half replaced later?

A half new roof won鈥檛 look right either. While a few unmatching shingles can blend in at a distance, if you鈥檝e got an entire half of a roof the wrong color, this can look wrong. Kind of like those cars that have a door or hood with a different paint job. This is probably something you want to avoid.

Some roofs will simply be too old or brittle to be able to withstand a partial repair. It might not even be possible for your roof design or type. Trying to fix half the roof could cause major issues to the rest of your roof.

That鈥檚 why fixing half a roof isn鈥檛 always the best idea. Make sure you consult a trusted and reliable roofer to get the best advice for your roof and situation. Always seek the advice of a professional and get multiple quotes before you start paying for costly repairs.

Torch Down Roofing 鈥 Pretty Much Everything You Need To Know

Think you know everything there is to know about roofing and the different types of roof solutions that are available these days? You probably don鈥檛. There鈥檚 so much info out there, even some roofing professionals don鈥檛 know it all.

But do you know what torch down roofing is? It鈥檚 one solution that could be right for you and your roof. In this article, we鈥檙e going to look at it a bit more closely so that you know exactly what torch down roofing involves, and why it might be right for your home.

Keep reading for all the info you might need and more, as well as how to install your own torch down roofing rather than rely on an external contractor.

What is torch down roofing?

Torch down roofing can also be known as torch-on roofing, but for the rest of this article we鈥檒l refer to it as torch down roofing. Torch roofing is a way of covering a flat roof which is made up of three layers. These three layers are bitumen, and they are melted on to a roof surface. For a number of reasons, torch down roofing is a popular roofing solution.

Torch down is melted onto a roof to create a waterproof seal and durable roof finish that protects the roof in a number of weather conditions, is long-lasting, and reasonably affordable to apply.

One thing to remember about this method is that it鈥檚 a flat-roof solution. This is where some people get mixed up. You can鈥檛 install torch down on a pitched roof like many traditional homes have. However, more and more homes are having flat roofs these days, making it a more and more popular roofing solution. Not only that, but it鈥檚 a great option for other buildings that have flat roofs, as many do.

If you have the right expertise, you can also apply a torch down roof yourself, although you will need to be careful as it requires hot welding and melting along with equipment, as well as having to access a roof. If you鈥檙e unsure about doing it yourself, always consult an expert.

The layers of torch down roofing have traditionally been made up of three different layers. These layers include:

  • A cap sheet that has a mineral finish
  • reinforced felt
  • A vapor control sheet (normally in that order).

Building regulations in most areas actually require these three sheets in order to make a home habitable and safe.

However, this isn鈥檛 the case for all types of buildings. While homes might require 3-layer down roofing, other types of buildings don鈥檛 necessarily. Sheds and garages are examples of buildings that don鈥檛 have to have three layers, and can do just fine with two. It might be worth checking the building regulations in your area, or asking a professional to see what is and isn鈥檛 required.

Torch down roofing has become increasingly popular over the last few years. That鈥檚 because more and more roofing firms are offering it as a solution. not only that, but its鈥 a relatively cost-effective way to seal and protect a roof. It鈥檚 widely available in most locations with good roofing options, so it might be a good idea to ask your roofer about torch-down roofing today.

What are the benefits of torch down roofing?

We鈥檝e already touched on a few of the benefits of torch down roofing. But if you鈥檇 like to know them in a bit more detail, let鈥檚 have a look.

Firstly, this form of roofing is very affordable. Some other roofing solutions cost a lot more. It isn鈥檛 that easy to apply, but most roofers can do a good job. Some people who are good at DIY might decide to take on the job themselves, but working with hot materials isn鈥檛 really recommended unless you鈥檙e certain you know what you鈥檙e doing and have the right protective equipment.

Torch-down roofing is not only affordable, it鈥檚 also quick and easy to install. That means a good quality roofer can get everything sorted and sealed within a day. That鈥檚 one of the reasons why it鈥檚 cheap, but it鈥檚 also a reason why people are choosing this method of roofing when they need their roof sealed quickly. Maybe the weather is setting in and you don鈥檛 have a sealed roof after some repair or a new installation. That鈥檚 a good reason to choose this solution.

Torch down is also a durable solution that provides good protection against a number of weather conditions. It can last many years before it needs repairing if you get a good torch down job. It is considered a quick and easy job by many roofers.

One reason why torch down is also popular is because it can be applied in a range of weather conditions. Unlike some other solutions, torch down can be applied when it鈥檚 wet and rainy, as well as in warm weather. This means it鈥檚 a great choice if you鈥檝e just had roof repairs or there鈥檚 a lot of wet weather and you want to protect against leaks. A lot of other roof solutions need you to wait for it to be dry before applying, which can be prohibitive. That鈥檚 why torch down is one of the most popular solutions for flat roofs.

Torch down roofing is very resistant against sun damage from UV rays. it also has good protection against strong winds as well as heavy rain. This makes it good for climates that experience a lot of these weather conditions, which is really almost anywhere. Temperatures inside buildings are kept cool in warmer months when you have torch down roofing, compares to some other solutions.

There are a few disadvantages associated with torch down roofing, but these are minimal. One disadvantage is that it can be hazardous to install as roofers are required to work with heat and flames. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important you find the right roofing contractor with the right experience, but there should be plenty in your area that know enough about torch down roofing to do a good job.

Hot Tar Roofs. Overview With Pros And Cons to Consider

Did you know that tar, specifically hot tar, is a really useful material for many roofing solutions? If you don鈥檛 already know the term hot tar roofs or know how useful tar can be for your roof, then you鈥檝e found the right article for you.

In it, we鈥檙e going to look at a number of things tar can do for your roof, as well as how to work with tar if you鈥檙e considering doing it yourself. Safety is paramount here and you should really have some experience working with this sort of material or else you should call out a professional. However you decide to work with tar, it can be a great way to repair a roof.

These days, roofs can need repairing for all sorts of reasons. Wind and other weather damage is one of the main reasons, along with general wear and tear and old age. While you might think your roof should last ages, it might not.

But getting a new roof can be really expensive. Instead of paying for a complete tear-off job or major roof repairs, simple patching up can add years to the lifespan of your roof. And it鈥檚 much cheaper, too. So let鈥檚 have a look at some of the benefits of roof tar as well as some important points that are associated with it.

hot tar roofs 鈥 Using tar to patch your roof

If water is coming through your roof, you鈥檙e probably in a bit of a panic. Leaks can cause a lot of damage and can be really stressful. Some roofers might have recommended expensive roof repairs or even a complete re-roofing job.

But this is often expensive, and might not even be necessary. That鈥檚 where tar can help. Roof tar can be applied to your roof to fill the gaps and hopefully plug the right holes. While this shouldn鈥檛 be done on really damaged roofs, it can help fix the problem in the short-term.

Hot Roof tar can even be applied while it鈥檚 still raining. While this raises a number of safety issues (more on those later), it does mean you can quickly fix the problem while the storm is still going.

Unlike getting a new roof put on or extensive repairs鈥攚here you鈥檇 have to wait for a dry period. However, some roofing professionals do not recommend tarring when it鈥檚 wet. This can be a short-term solution that might dramatically impact the overall lifespan of your roof. You should only do it in extreme situations. However, dry tarring is much better, and could help your roof considerably鈥

When might you need to tar a roof?

  • Rain damage
  • Leaks

are the main reasons many people decide to tar their roof. It鈥檚 a cheap and affordable option for fixing the problem in the short to medium term. But what are you looking for when you get up on your roof to look for damage and problems?

Look for things like missing caulk or other issues around your flashing, as well as cracked or broken shingles (or completely missing ones). You might also want to have a look at your chimney to see if the lead is rusting or missing. All of these things can be fixed with some tar.

These problems CAN be fixed with tar, but not every roofer will recommend doing it yourself;. Some consider it a short-term solution to a problem that will come back soon enough. Tar is a great temporary solution, but not always a long-term one.

Benefits of tarring a roof

  1. The main benefit of tarring a roof, as we鈥檝e already looked at, is that it鈥檚 quick, easy and affordable.
  2. You can even do it yourself (if you鈥檙e careful).
  3. Even if you hire a roofer to do it, it shouldn鈥檛 cost too much and can be done in an hour or two. While it isn鈥檛 the most long-lasting solution to roofing issues, it鈥檚 good for people who just need to patch up minor problems and don鈥檛 have a lot of money to spend, or want something done quickly.
  4. You can even tar a roof during heavy rain which makes it a good option for fixing issues during a storm before more extensive repairs can take place.
  5. Roof tar is great against UV rays and is a durable material. A tarred roof can be quite resistant against heavy winds and precipitation like snow.

Drawbacks of tarring a roof

While roof tar has a number of benefits, there are some drawbacks as well.

  1. Firstly, it isn鈥檛 particularly long-lasting. Many roofers think that a tarred roof won鈥檛 really last that long. It might just be patching up a problem that will come back after a while, and it could even come back even more seriously as the tarred parts are opened up.
  2. Roof tar can also give off fumes that aren鈥檛 safe to inhale and could cause major health issues.

Hot Tarring a roof

If you鈥檙e going to tar your own roof, be careful. Make sure you have the right tar for your particular roof as well as the right weather condition. Some tars can be applied in the wet, but most can鈥檛. So if you鈥檝e got a normal tar, you need to wait for some consecutive pleasant days and until your roof is completely dry.

Tarring a roof has a number of safety issues associated with it. Firstly, getting on top of a pitched (or any type of) roof can be dangerous. Make sure you鈥檝e always got the right safety equipment and that you know what you鈥檙e doing. Tethering a safety harness is recommended, as well as have help holding ladders. If you haven鈥檛 done this sort of work before or have any concerns, then leave it to a professional. Don鈥檛 get up on your roof while it鈥檚 windy or if you can鈥檛 keep stable. Never take undue risks.

The tar itself can also present problems when working with. Never tar something indoors or in an area that isn鈥檛 fully ventilated. Always use a face mask and be careful when applying the tar. Don鈥檛 get too close to it and don鈥檛 get any on you. These are all standard precautions. If you aren鈥檛 sure you can do a safe and secure job, hire a professional roofer.

*feature image and video from