Need help cleaning up a mess!

I was fixing some siding and spilled roofing tar on my asphalt shingles. Is there any way to clean this off the shingles?

Help - Thanks!

 

There are some "tar" removing products out there, however, if you use it on the tar, it will damage the asphalt shingle as well.
The tar itself will not damage the shingle. Eventually, the tar will weather away with its exposure to the elements.

The easiest thing to do would be to just replace the shingles that you spilled the tar on. If the roof is not too old, you should be able to find matching shingles.

Trying to remove the tar without damaging the shingle will be more trouble than just replacing them.

Good luck.

 

I picked up a product called "oops" Does anyone know if this will harm the shingles?

 

If it is strong enough to remove tar, I can't imagine that it would be good for the asphalt in your shingles.

The granules on your shingles are nothing more than protection for the asphalt underneath. The asphalt is your water protection.
If you damage or break down the asphalt, you hinder the shingles ability to shed water.

It may not have an immediate effect on your shingles, but it may have a lasting effect on the longevity of the shingles.

 

Do they sell loose granules? I was thinking if I laid some more tar and then threw down some granules on that you could not notice the tar? My roof is greyish/greenish.

 

Some of the larger roofing distributors sell loose granules, but I don't think I've ever seen them stock green or grey granules.
It's usually white, black, or cedar.

You may want to try to buy some matching shingles and replace them yourself. It's not very difficult unless you have to replace shingles in a valley, around a penetration, or against a wall.

Shingles in the field are very easy for a DIY'er to replace.

If your just talking about 15 or 20 shingles on an average roof, I would think you could get someone to do it for $75.00 give or take.

Good luck.

 

Well, I stepped in it!

I didn't realize I stepped on a sealing strip and managed to track tar onto my new half-finished "silver-wood" Malarkey Alaskan roof (damn - it was looking so good too).

I doubt my problem is nearly as bad as the original poster (spilled tar on his shingles), but I thought I would see if there are any new ideas since this 12 year old thread.

My asphalt shingles are different shades of grey.

This involves small tar smudges on about six shingles; roof at front of my house.

The OP was advised to replace his shingles, but that seems extreme in my situation (maybe not?).
Don't see myself going to a shingle wholesaler to buy granules.

What I just now tried:
Scrounged up a couple ounces of granules (but not a good match) from the work-site and pressed them into the tar smudges and then set some red bricks on top. I'll go back in about an hour and kind of use the brick to sort of press and rub the granules in and then remove the brick and just let it sit (at this moment it's 91 degrees may hit just 95 today).

When I went back up to sprinkle granules I noticed that the tar had already "melted" deeply into shingle leaving a sort of "oil stain" appearance on grey shingle. Do you suppose, over time this tar will just be absorbed back into the shingle and not be noticeable from the street? Or, will it always have that sort of oil stain appearance?

In Denver here we've had record high temps (105 degrees yesterday; you may also have heard about the numerous and serious forest fires up in the hills) - maybe such temps will melt the problem away?

Maybe, once I've finally shingled and guttered everything, I'll go back and swap out shingles (should be more confident once I've finished).

Thoughts? Solutions?

 

There are really only 2 options, either replace the affected shingles or disguise the 'damage' Post #3 mentioned 'oops' which works with removing latex paint and some adhesives but won't be effective for removing tar....... or you could just walk around with your head hung in shame - can't see the roof that way

 

"or you could just walk around with your head hung in shame ..."

oops and ouch

Yes, I guess I'll have to replace them.

There are two smaller tar smudges (North side of garage and North side of house) and I have to really look to see them - when I'm standing on the roof.
So, will wait till I'm done with everything and then probably go back and replace (unless the damage fades to the extent it is not noticeable from the ground).

thanks Mark

So when to replace . . . I'm guessing, in the summer time, it's better to do this in the early morning before the shingles get hot?

 

I'm not a roofer but shingles tend to be more flexible when warm but it's easy to damage them if you get on them when they're hot. I would think early morning in the summer would be good. In the fall the shingle temps won't be as critical.