In it, we’re going to look at a number of things tar can do for your roof, as well as how to work with tar if you’re 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’s much cheaper, too. So let’s 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 – Using tar to patch your roof

If water is coming through your roof, you’re 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’s 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’t 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’s 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—where you’d have to wait for a dry period. However, some roofing professionals do not recommend tarring when it’s 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…

When might you need to tar a roof?

• Rain damage
• Leaks

are the main reasons many people decide to tar their roof. It’s 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’ve already looked at, is that it’s quick, easy and affordable.
2. You can even do it yourself (if you’re careful).
3. Even if you hire a roofer to do it, it shouldn’t cost too much and can be done in an hour or two. While it isn’t the most long-lasting solution to roofing issues, it’s good for people who just need to patch up minor problems and don’t 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’t particularly long-lasting. Many roofers think that a tarred roof won’t 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’t safe to inhale and could cause major health issues.

Hot Tarring a roof

If you’re 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’t. So if you’ve 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’ve always got the right safety equipment and that you know what you’re doing. Tethering a safety harness is recommended, as well as have help holding ladders. If you haven’t done this sort of work before or have any concerns, then leave it to a professional. Don’t get up on your roof while it’s windy or if you can’t 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’t fully ventilated. Always use a face mask and be careful when applying the tar. Don’t get too close to it and don’t get any on you. These are all standard precautions. If you aren’t sure you can do a safe and secure job, hire a professional roofer.

*feature image and video from

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Tar and gravel roofing presents a number of benefits for mainly flat roofs. While it can be used on slightly pitched roofs, it’s mostly a solution for flat commercial ones.

However, since it’s so cheap and easy to apply, it also has uses in other types of construction.

As architectural tastes change, more and more residential homes are starting to use finishes that have often been reserved only for commercial buildings.

So whether you’re interested in tar and gravel for your commercial, residential, or other type of building – you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’re going to look at some of the pros and cons of tar and gravel roofing, as well as what to look for when choosing the right contractor to carry out the job.

What is tar and gravel roofing?

The reality of “tar and gravel” roofing is that the actual material is slightly more sophisticated than it first sounds.

The material used for this sort of roof finish is made from fibre-glass asphalt sheeting and is applied in layers to the vast majority of homes and commercial buildings with flat or nearly flat roofs.

It’s actually one of the most common roofing materials used in the industry.

Between each layers or sheeting hot bitumen is applied to form a seal. The top layer is then coated with more bitumen and a layer of stone, rock or gravel to hold the other materials down.

This also acts as a way of protecting the roof from weather abrasion and other external effects.

How long can tar and gravel roofs last?

There’s a bit of variance when it comes to asking exactly how long a tar and gravel roof might last. It’s not the most long-lasting of roof solutions, but it’s a cheap and effective way to protect your building in the short term.

This makes it especially popular for property developers or people who’re trying to sell a home or building and are less concerned about how long their roof is going to last.

Roofs built up with layers of tar and gravel normally last between 10 and 20 years. This can often depend on the sort of external weather conditions they’re under pressure from.

So if you live somewhere with extreme heat, wind or other weather factors, your tar and gravel roof might not last quite as long.

There’s another type of roofing that’s slightly similar to tar and gravel called asphalt roll roofing. This has the same general materials but only has one thin layer that’s rolled out onto roofs – often on garages or other secondary buildings rather than main residences.

This is very cheap and easy to install, but also doesn’t last as long – sometimes only 5 to 10 years.

But it’s still a viable option if you’re looking to get something roofed quickly, easily, and cheaply.

What are the advantages of tar and gravel roofing?

1. If you’ve got a flat roof that you need covering, tar and gravel is one of the most popular options for good reason. First and foremost – it’s the cheapest.

2. While you might be slightly put off by the shorter life-spans of these simple roof finishes, you can’t argue with how cheap they are.

3. Tar and gravel roofs are also quick and easy to install, and can be administered by most good roofing companies.

4. There are other roofing solutions that need highly trained specialists to apply, and while this is often more expensive, it can also make it harder to find the right roofer in some locations.

That isn’t a problem with tar and gravel, as it’s one of the most well-known solutions in the industry.

5. Tar and gravel also provides good UV protection and is an excellent fire-resistant material. It’s also considered by some to be quite an aesthetic finish for certain types of buildings.

6. One other benefit of a tar and gravel roof is how solid it is and easy to walk on. That simply isn’t the case with every type of roof, so if you need to do a lot of maintenance to your building, or have a design that needs to be walked on occasionally (like in order to clean windows) then it could be a very good choice.

7. While tar and gravel roofs might not last quite as long as some other roofing solutions, they are easy and cheap to maintain. If looked after properly, the duration of the roof could be extended considerably.

What are some disadvantages of tar and gravel roofs?

While tar and gravel does have a number of benefits for your roof, it also has some drawbacks. Let’s have a look at some of the biggest ones:

1. Tar and gravel roofs can be very heavy. One of the benefits of a flat roof is often its lightweight design, but this benefit can be lost with a tar and gravel roof.

For some buildings, you might need to strengthen the structure before you have the layers applied, so it’s important that you check with a qualified professional before you get the job done.

If structural work is required prior to application, this could negate the cost benefit of getting a tar and gravel roof in the first place.

2. Tar and gravel can also be messy and smelly to apply, which makes it difficult to put on homes while someone is living in them.

3. Tar and gravel can also be dangerous, so it’s important you only rely on a good roofing firm and don’t attempt to do it yourself.

4. It can also be difficult to find leaks in a tar and gravel roof, and the duration might not be as long as some other finishes. When looking for a company to carry out your tar and gravel roof, it’s important you pick someone who’s got plenty of references and finished roofs they can show you.

Hopefully, you’ve now seen enough of the pros and cons associated with tar gravel roofing to make an informed decision about your own roof.

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