How to Apply Roofing Tar
Roofing is a skill that can take years to master depending on what you want to do, but tarring a roof is a project that can easily be managed by the novice. This process is done to protect your roof from the elements, and it is usually applied to a flat roof because, unlike a slanted roof, the flat roof is exposed to all of the elements. The sun beats down on it for hours a day and rain can collect and hang around for weeks at a time because it does not drain off like it would on a slanted structure. You can apply roofing tar to a slanted roof if you want, but there typically is not much need. Feel free to consult with a roofing specialist about your options.
Knowing how to tar a roof can go a long way to saving you a lot of time, money, and headaches. The following article will help you understand the process for doing this yourself.
Safety Notice: Always know the hazards involved in any DIY project before you start. Also, make sure to wear protective gear like work gloves and a face mask.
Pick the Best Time
Once you decide when you want to tar the roof, the actual application time is not long at all. Choose a time of year where you are not expecting rain or snow for a number of days as the tar needs time to set and cure in order to be effective protection against those very same elements. It can be applied to a roof in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will not properly seal until the temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also not apply tar when it is overly hot as the high temperature can cause it to drip.
Purchase Tar
When you go to the home supply store, make sure you ask a lot of questions about the kinds of roofing tar available. Know the dimensions of your roof before you arrive and purchase enough to cover that area plus a few feet.
Set Up Where to Start and Finish
The important thing about tarring a roof is to not paint yourself into a corner. Planning is as important as doing the job. Always begin in a corner and set your ladder at the other end, furthest away from your start point. This is how you can cover the roof in tar while moving away from it. You will find your escape route is there for you when you finish.
Tar the Roof
Keep your tar bucket close to you as you start spreading the tar on the surface with the roller. Use small amounts and apply it with the roller in short, smooth strokes. As you work, you will move back toward the end where your ladder is, taking the bucket with you. Continue until the entire roof is covered, and then allow the material to sit and cure for the prescribed time on the packaging.
