Hot Tar Roofing

TT&L Contracting provides a wide array of services, including hot tar roofing, to customers across Long Island, as well as in Brooklyn and Queens. We have years of experiencing serving many different types of roofs and have become experts on the matter. If your home or office is in need of a new roof, please give us a call at: 631-254-0322. We can help you with whatever questions or concerns you may have about your roof.

What Is Roofing Tar?

Roofing tar is a versatile material, as it it both durable and waterproof. Hot tar is a dark, oily viscous material that is made from coal tar and petroleum byproducts. It is a material that is great to fix leaks on a roof and often used for tar and gravel roofs. There are some pros and cons when looking into this sort of roofing process that should be considered.

Roofing tar is a perfect choice for a flat roof, since it is very resistant to ultraviolet rays from the sun, thus it leads to better and longer lasting results compared to other methods. Hot tar will also protect your roof from the elements, such as snow and water buildup, as well as a great resistance to wind. However, tar is not a sustainable product and gives off noxious fumes during the installation process. This entails that contractors must resort with caution when installing it and wearing the proper gear as to not suffer any harm. Also, it is best if the residents are not home at this time. So perhaps it is durable, but the installation process potentially harms people, as well as the environment.

When to Tar a Roof

The process of applying the hot tar to a roof needs to be done in certain conditions. You will need a few days of consecutive sunshine and without precipitation. This is to ensure that the tar has time to properly cure. Seventy degrees is the optimal temperature to apply roofing tar, but it can be done at possibly lower temperatures. However, it will not properly cure until the temperature reaches at least the aforementioned seventy degree. If temperatures are too high, the tar may begin to start dripping. Attempt to avoid that, as hot tar melting is a difficult clean up process.

How To Apply Roofing Tar

Check the rood for structural damages before walking on the roof and attempting to place tar on it. If it is okay, then climb up with a mask, a broom, a long-handled paint roller, and a disposable container. And of course, where clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Then, place the container of tar in direct sunlight for roughly an hour, because this will thin the tar and make it easier to apply. The broom is needed to clean the rood. No debris should be left on the roof once you decide to start applying the hot tar.

When you begin, start in the corner furthest from your ladder and only use small amounts at a time. Apply the roofing tar with your roller and do so in short, smooth strokes. As you apply, slowly move away from where you are laying down the tar and towards your ladder.

Disadvantages

It is heavier than other roofing systems. Strong supports for the roof are required, which can mean an extra cost in building it up.
It is messy and smelly to install. For this reason, it is not recommended for occupied homes.
Under the wrong conditions the hot tar can burst into flames and cause damage or injuries to surrounding area and home.
There is a difficulty in finding leak sources. Water can spread a long distance from the leak area and travel through multiple layers of the roof.
Gutter and scuppers can be clogged by gravel.
Not an eco-friendly.

Inspect Smaller Cracks

If you are simply covering a small crack in an existing flat roof, then the process is much quicker. All you would need to do is pour a small amount of tar right onto the roof and spread it around with a putty knife or other similar item. But keep in mind, this may only be a band-aid to a larger problem if you roofing is beginning to crack. Have your roof inspected by a professional to ensure that the building is safe, because it is always easier to install a new roof before it is too late.

TT & L Contracting has years of experience installing roofs across Long Island and including clients in Brooklyn and Queens. We have become a trusted and reliable name for many commercial buildings in the area. We aim to work closely with you to achieve the sort of end result you desire. For more information about hot tar roofing and its process, please contact us today. The number to call is: 631-254-0322. We will gladly answer any questions you may have, as well as provide you with a free contracting estimate for our work.