Many homeowners aren’t sure if they should use roofing cement or tar when remodeling the roof of their home. The main difference between roofing cement and tar is that tar is water-resistant, where roofing cement can create a barrier that prevents water from getting through.
These two products may seem similar, but there are some critical differences between the two. In this review, we will cover what makes roofing cement and tar different from one another. Do you know which product you should be using when you spot a leak in your roof? This guide should help any aspiring roofer determine which product they should be using.
What is a Roofing Cement?
Roofing cement is used to patch surfaces and prevent leaks. It is made from various materials, including:
- Asphalt
- Refined mineral spirits
- Non-asbestos reinforcing fibers
- Plasticizers
This product is pricier than other roofing materials, but it’s important to remember that roofing cement is sustainable and lasts for a long time. When people use roofing cement to repair damages, they don’t have to worry about any harsh fumes.
When to Use a Roofing Cement?
Roofing cement has a variety of purposes. Most roofers will use it to repair any holes where water could leak through. It is often used to fill in any cracks in the concrete that could get worse over time. The good thing about roofing cement is that it has adhesive properties. This means that it’s an excellent product for holding loose asphalt shingles in place.
On top of filling holes, roofing cement is also great for fixing rust spots on the roof. It can also secure the joint connections, so your gutters don’t leak.
When not to Use a Roofing Cement?
Roofing cement should never be used as a permanent fix to any roofing issue. It’s never a good idea to use roofing cement to fix repairs around chimneys, lights, or near walls because leaks could form and cause water damage because the water is restricted. This could lead to a lot of damage.
Since roofing cement is an excellent product for adhering to things in place, some people believe they can replace nails. Never use roofing cement as an alternative to roofing nails. You will need nails to keep things in place permanently. Remember, roofing cement is only a temporary solution.
Every layer of your roof plays a vital role in keeping the water out. Some people think they can use roofing cement to replace the roof’s underlayment. If this is done for more than a temporary solution, the entire roofing system could be at risk of damage.
Pros and Cons of Roofing Cement
The biggest pro to using roofing cement is its strength. When used for the right purposes, roofing cement is strong enough to face anything mother nature throws its way. It will stay intact through harsh winds and heavy rain. Extreme weather conditions that could damage other roofing materials won’t affect roofing cement.
When it comes to the cons of roofing cement, it’s much heavier to work with. It is also likely to become dry and brittle after many years of sun exposure. The elements of mother nature can play a toll on roof cement, especially as it hardens.
What is Roofing Tar?
Roofing tar is another material used to fix leaks in roofs. This tar is a dark oily substance that is made from coal tar and petroleum byproduct mixture.
When to Use a Roofing Tar?
Roofing tar is generally used for the first layer when you’re constructing a roof. It can also fill in cracks and holes along the roof so water doesn’t leak in. Roofing tar is best used on flat roofs. It is very easy to use.
All the roofer needs to do to fill in a crack is pour a little bit of tar on the area and use a putty knife to spread it around.
When not to Use a Roofing Tar?
Never use roofing tar when the weather isn’t on your side. To fully dry, the tar needs to reach 70 degrees F. This means that you shouldn’t use roofing tar if rain or snow is in the weather forecast within 3 days of working on the roof.
It’s not a good idea to use roofing tar to patch a hole in your roof. This is because the tar will be acting as a bandaid, which is only a temporary solution to the problem. Remember that as the roofing tar dries, it will begin to crack, and water will be able to get through.
Pros and Cons of Roofing Tar
Roofing tar is an excellent material for flat roofs because it’s highly resistant to UV rays. Plenty of sun exposure won’t affect how tar sits. This means that it will continue to stay strong enough to protect your roof through all the harsh elements that mother nature has in store.
Learning how to use it is very easy too, so even a beginner can do it themselves. Another reason people prefer to use roofing tar is that it is much cheaper than roofing cement.
The biggest con to using roofing tar is that it’s not environmentally friendly and gives off harsh fumes when cured. All professional roofers wear masks when using this product to avoid inhaling the fumes. Many people will find other accommodations to stay at while the roofing tar is being cured.
Which one should you Choose – Roofing Cement or Roofing Tar
For the roofing cement vs roofing tar debate, the winner is roofing cement. The reason roofing cement is the better choice that it forms a waterproof barrier to prevent water from getting in when it rains or snows. Roofing tar, on the other hand, is only water-resistant. That means that the tar can create protection, but only for so long.
Think of the roofing materials like a rain jacket. If you wear a water-resistant jacket while you’re waiting for the bus in the rain, you won’t feel all the water, but eventually, some will get through the jacket, and your skin will get damp. However, if you decide to wear a waterproof jacket, everything underneath the jacket stays dry.
Roofing cement will prevent the rain from causing damage to your roof. With roofing tar, leaks could eventually get in and create water damage. While roofing cement may be a pricier option at first, it does work out to save you money on your roof in the long run because you won’t have to worry about water damage.
Tips for Repairing a Leaky Roof
Before you go, we should leave you with some tips for repairing a leaky roof.
Find the Leak
When you’re inside your home, you may notice the spot where the roof is leaking right away. We recommend taking note of exactly where you spotted the leak to make it easier to find from outside your home. If you have binoculars, we recommend using them to find any cracks or missing shingles that the leak could be coming in from.
Fix Curling Shingles
If you notice any of your shingle curling, these can be fixed, so you won’t need to replace them. Apply a generous amount of roofing cement underneath the shingle to hold it in place. Then you can brush a coating of cement on the shingle to get it to stay.
Know When to Replace
Not every shingle is worth saving. If any of the shingles are rotting or severely cracked, they should be replaced. Make sure you carefully remove the nails from the old shingles and scrape away any remainder of the roofing cement or roofing tar leftover before applying the new shingles.
Fix the Flashing
There is metal flashing around the chimney, and it can come out of place, which can lead to leaks in the roof. When this happens, you can fix the flashing yourself by applying roofing cement with a caulk gun. Dormer walls are another area where water can leak into your roof. We recommend using the caulk gun to seal them with a fresh coat of roofing cement as well.
Final Thoughts: Roofing Cement vs Tar
When you need to repair a crack in your roof, you may be wondering if you should use roofing cement or roofing tar. Both products are used by roofers and are both known for fixing holes and keep water from getting inside. However, when it comes to which one is better, we recommend using roofing cement.
Roofing cement is more sustainable and will ultimately last longer. It creates a barrier that does a better job of keeping the rain and other weather factors affecting your roof’s condition. While roofing tar is a good product, it will need to be replaced sooner. Roofing tar is only water-resistant, so it doesn’t hold up as well during heavy rainstorms.