The Dust & Shaking Involved When Replacing a Tar & Gravel Roof

Tar-and-Gravel Roof

• Alternating layers of hot asphalt and felt paper create tar-and-gravel roofing. They are used on relatively flat roofs. They are built up by laying down roofing paper, and then pouring 400 degree Fahrenheit asphalt over it, laying down a layer of felt paper and repeating the layering process. Gravel is spread over the final asphalt layer providing traction and protection from the harmful effects of full sun exposure.

Removal

• When replacing a tar-and-gravel roof, completely remove the old roof down to the flashing. A heavy scraping tool called a ripping bar peels off roof layers, which can are then lowered to the ground. Automated ripping tools powered by pneumatic air or gas work faster. They are louder and cause vibrations and shaking. Dust arises no matter what tools are used, but it puffs up faster with the use of automated ripping tools.

Replacement

• Replacing an old tar-and-gravel roof with the same type roof isn’t recommended. Laying down the roof is hot, strenuous work and there are better options available. Modified bitumen roofs consist of durable top membranes fused to fiberglass-reinforced bases. These flat roofs last as long as tar-and-gravel roofs, but are faster to install. The quicker installation reduces the amount of shaking your home experiences from people walking on the roof and dumping down layers of asphalt or gravel. The lack of gravel or felt paper reduces the dust involved in installation.

Considerations

• The shaking involved in replacing a tar-and-gravel roof is intermittent and irritating, but shouldn’t be violent enough to disturb your belongings unless there is a structural problem. Keeping your windows closed during the days of the actual work and for the next few days after mitigates the dust impact. This reduces the amount of dust that drifts inside your home during the process.