How to Refurbish a Tar & Gravel Roof

Inspect the roof for signs of damage. Though you shouldn't walk on your tar and gravel roof too often since it can cause damage, you should inspect the roof annually for damage and then repair any bad spots you notice. If you're refurbishing the entire roof, pay extra attention to these already damaged sections of roofing.

Remove the original layer of tar and gravel. Starting at one corner of the roof, aim a heat gun at the roof to soften the tar. Pry the original layer of tar and gravel up with a shovel and discard it. Continue until the roof is free of this original layer, as you shouldn't place one layer directly atop another.

Prime the surface. Apply a liquid primer intended for use in roofing to the surface of the roof. Roll it on with an oversized paint roller to coat the entire roof surface.

Apply a layer of clay emulsion, which makes up the gravel part of your tar and gravel roof. This clay-like compound contains stones and it spreads easily over your roof surface. Create piles of this compound with your shovel. Use the shovel to even the piles out, creating one smooth surface.

Apply a layer of tar. Pour your tar onto your roof surface and spread it with a mop intended for use in tar spreading. The tar should sink down into your layers of clay emulsion, creating one unified roof covering that will keep the weather out.