Leaks are the worst. When your roof leaks, it’s someone thing that you need to take care of quickly, or the damages can be quite substantial. So, can you just put roofing tar on shingles?
Can You Put Roofing Tar On Shingles?
You can use roofing tar on shingles that are leaking around flashing. While the tar is messy, it’s easy to work with and fills cracks, crevices, and separation around flashing. Use a brush or cloth to spread it manually on shingles or in those areas where a spray-on sealant is used.
Today we’ll discuss this in a little more detail so that you have a good idea of the best strategy for fixing a leak. Roof tar might do the trick, but there are certainly some cases where an alternative solution will be a much better fit. So let’s talk about tar, shingles, and your roof!
Do Roofers still Use Tar?
Roofing tar is still in regular use, as it does come with several advantages. Chiefly, it’s inexpensive, long-lasting, and easy to apply. In addition, tar does an excellent job of filling in cracks and crevices, and while there are other options that you can choose, it does the job a treat, and it’s quite reliable.
When to Use a Roofing Tar?
The best time to use roofing tar is when you find tiny leaks around the flashing. Larger applications are less practical, as they can be a bit messy to apply, but with cases of small leaks, then a little roofing tar is ideal.
However, if you have some more advanced issues with leaking, then tar might not be a good fit. While it can quickly seal an area, it’s more of a temporary fix at best. Using it to seal a larger area can indeed seal up a leak, but eventually, you will have to deal with that slowly cracking tar on the roof.
Don’t get us wrong. Tar is durable, and a tar roof can last more than 20 years; you want to make sure that you are using it properly or going with professionals to make sure that it’s done right.
When not to Use a Roofing Tar
Tar is durable, but make sure that you are applying it in ideal temperatures if you want to do a good job and avoid unsightly mess. The ideal temperature for applying roof tar is going to be around 70 degrees.
If it is too much hotter than this, you might find that your tar is dripping, and with cooler temperatures, you’ll also have issues because the tar will not set properly until it reaches that ideal 70-degree temperature.
Pros and Cons of Roofing Tar
Roofing tar is best used for flat roofing surfaces. Pros of using roofing tar include the following:
- Resistance to UV light
- Resistance to water and snow
- Inexpensive
- Very long-lasting
As far as cons, they are quite minimal. The most noticeable would be the chemical smell that comes with the tarring process. This can be quite strong, and you’ll typically want any roof tarring to be done when you can schedule a little time away for best results.
It’s not completely horrible, just very strong, and anyone working with it will be wearing a protective mask as the fumes are a bit noxious during the application and curing process. Ideally one should schedule the work and get a little time away from home if this might be an issue.
How Long will Roofing Tar Last?
Roofing tar is resilient, and the typical lifespan of a tar and gravel roof can be anywhere from 20 to 25 years. With a bit of preventative maintenance, this period can be exceeded quite a bit. This is one of the reasons that tar remains a popular choice. Once it’s in place, it keeps out leaks, and it’s not difficult to take care of it either.
Roofing Tar vs Roofing Cement vs Roofing Sealant
Aside from roofing tar, sealants and cement are also great ways to fix a leaky roof. Silicone sealant is one example that comes in a tube and not only lets you fix leaks, but it’s also suitable for dabbing in a place like glue to fix bent or otherwise damaged shingles.
Sealing spray is another option that you can use for vents, gutters, and for sealing up flashing. Roofing cement is more of an all-purpose sealer made with asphalt, non-asbestos fibers, mineral spirits, and many other materials that make it efficient and long-lasting, just like roofing tar.
Roofing cement also has the advantage of being completely waterproof, while tar is just highly water-resistant, so that is another consideration when it comes to your roof work.
How Often Should you Replace your Roof Shingles?
The frequency with which you should replace your roof shingles will depend on the types of shingles you are using. This usually breaks down as follows:
- Wood shingles should be replaced every 20 to 25 years
- Composition shingle have a lifespan of 12 to 20 years
- Asphalt shingles will generally last 25 to 30 years
These are general approximations, and the shingle manufacturer will have more detailed data, but this gives you a general idea of your roof’s durability. Quality materials will last a long, long time, and they are well worth the investment.
How to Repair Shingle Roof Leak
Repairing a leaky roof can be done several ways, depending on what you are specifically dealing with. If it’s a water leak, typically, water damage can be seen from underneath that will let you know the area that you need to patch up.
If the shingles are curled, you can put them properly in place with a generous application of roof cement underneath all 4 corners so that you may securely press them into place.
If it is a matter of damaged shingles, it’s usually best to replace the shingles themselves. Roofing tar can help as a ‘band-aid’ of sorts in cases like this, but shingle replacement will be your better option.
You’ll need to remove the old shingle with a crowbar or remove the nails with your hammer, and before you put the new shingles in place, you’ll want to round them out a bit by trimming up the corners with your utility knife. This will make it easier for you to put the new shingles in place and secure them properly with nails and roofing cement. 6d roofing nails are an ideal choice for this.
For leaks that occur around flashing, a little roofing cement in your caulking gun will do the job nicely. This is also handy if you notice any other sealing damage while working on the roof, as a quick re-seal can be done, and you to smooth it in place with a putty knife.
Frequently Asked Questions
We do have a few questions to address before we conclude this article today. Below are the most frequently asked questions that we get on tarring and roofing:
Does roofing tar stop leaks?
Certainly! While it works better with the support of shingles, roofing tar can very quickly and effectively seal up a leak.
Will roof tar dry in the rain?
Rubberized tars can be applied in the rain, provided that it is used on a clean, level surface to adhere properly. While this isn’t ideal, it can certainly be done when the weather isn’t optimal.
Does roofing tar get hard?
Yes, roofing tar does harden up, with the curing process taking anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. Depending on the temperature and weather considerations, it can take a little longer, but 8 to 24 hours is a good ‘ballpark figure’ for roofing tar.
Do I need tar paper under shingles?
Not always. The paper applying gives an extra degree of protection for water, but you don’t always need it with shingles. It’s still a good idea, however, and should always be applied with low-sloped roofs.
It’s always best to go with the added protection that tar paper offers, so while you can technically do without it in some cases, it’s a better idea to have it installed underneath your shingles to ensure that you’re getting the best protection from the elements.
Will the roof leak with one shingle missing?
Yes. The roof can leak with just a single shingle missing, and if you notice one, it’s best to replace it right away. Every shingle is skillfully placed in such a way to provide solid, water-resistant protection on your roof, and when even one is out of place, then you are looking at potentially costly repairs if you don’t address it.
It might not leak right away, but it’s not something that you want to take a chance on. A quick trip to the hardware store can get you some replacement shingles so that you can quickly resolve the issue by replacing and sealing the new shingle in place.