How to Recoat a Tar & Gravel Roof

Tar and gravel is a popular combination of materials for flat roofs. Years of being in hot sun, rain and other extreme weather weakens tar, which can lead to roof leaks. Recoating a tar and gravel roof in leaky areas seals the roof again. If the old tar is not in horrible shape, just recoat the problem areas. If the old tar is in bad condition, a professional might need to remove it before reapplying new tar and gravel to the entire roof. Cold tar, also known as roofing cement, is much safer and easier to use than hot tar.

Rake
Roofing tar or roof cement
Tar-spreading tool, such as a large putty knife
Gravel

Instructions

- 1
  Find weak spots in the roof tar. If the house has a noticeable leak inside, identify the area of roof above the leak. Other signs to look for include patches where the tar is visible through the gravel and areas where the tar is squishy and full of moisture bubbles. Areas with exposed tar where the gravel has shifted are likely to become weak due to weathering.
- 2
  Rake gravel away from the leaky spots to expose the tar underneath for easier recoating.
- 3
  Spread cold-application roof tar or roof cement over the leaky spot using a large putty knife and allow it to dry in accordance with its manufacturer's instructions.
- 4
  Recover the bare tar spot with gravel. Either rake some gravel already on the roof to cover the spot or add new gravel. The roof should have enough gravel to completely cover the tar on the surface of the roof. Over time, some of the gravel may fall off the roof, which will lead to the roof needing more gravel. However, the roof might not need new gravel if the roofing material is formed so that it has a curb around the edges of the roof.

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