How to Fix a Tar Roof

Tar and gravel roofing is a common material used on homes and buildings with low-sloped roofs. Although tar roofing is designed to endure 10 to 20 years, it is easily penetrated and susceptible to leaks. Leaks in tar roofing are often results of temperature fluctuations, which cause the roofing membranes to contract and develop cracks. Portions of tar roofing where gravel has worn off are especially prone to leaks from weather exposure. Like all damaged roofing materials, leaking tar and gravel roofs require immediate repair to prevent water from damaging home interiors.

Pry bar
Broom
Utility knife
6-inch-wide reinforcement fabric
Shears
Full-length clothing
Rubber gloves
Protective eyewear
Plastic roof cement
Trowel
Loose gravel

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape any gravel off the cracked, torn or gouged region of the tar roof using a pry bar. Fully expose the entire damaged area without penetrating the roof’s membrane. Extend the exposed area 3 inches beyond the damaged area to allow for patching.
- 2
  Sweep the exposed crack, tear or gouge with a broom to get rid of dirt, leaves and other debris. Plastic roof cement adheres best to clean surfaces.
- 3
  Block off both ends of a crack or tear with horizontal cuts to prevent it from spreading. Use a utility knife to carve two 3-inch-long cuts into the roof membrane, one at each end of the crack or tear.
- 4
  Lay 6-inch-wide reinforcement fabric directly over the crack, tear or gouge. Make sure the fabric overlaps either side of the damaged area by 3 inches. Cut the pre-measured fabric with shears and set the fabric aside.
- 5
  Put on full-length clothing, rubber gloves and protective eyewear to prevent your skin and eyes from coming into contact with roof cement.
- 6
  Smear plastic roof cement over the crack, tear or gouge using a trowel. Make the cement layer 1/8-to-1/4-inch thick and extend it 3 inches beyond the crack, tear or gouge. Work the cement into the damaged area to ensure proper adhesion.
- 7
  Cover the fresh cement bed with the pre-cut reinforcement fabric. Using the trowel, lightly press the fabric into the cement. Gently rub the trowel across the entire fabric to ensure the reinforcement stays in place.
- 8
  Slather another 1/8-to-1/4-inch coat of roof cement over the embedded reinforcement fabric using the trowel. Extend the cement layer 3 inches beyond the patched area.
- 9
  Scatter loose gravel over the wet cement bed to camouflage the patched area with the rest of the roof. Skip this step if the surrounding roof isn’t coated with gravel.
- 10
  Let the patched areas of the tar roof cure for three days.

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