Tarring a Leaking Flat Roof

Distinguished by their modern architectural attributes, flat roofs are less expensive and more accessible than sloped roofs. Flat roofs are, however, extremely susceptible to leaks due to insufficient water drainage off the roofs. In addition, sunlight and weather exposure cause roof coatings on flat roofs to deteriorate, which leaves the roofs vulnerable to leaks. Leaks in flat roofs require immediate attention as water penetration has the potential to seriously damage a home’s structural integrity. Tarring leaks with fibered roof coating is a quick and temporary method of patching flat roofs.

Push broom
Garden hose
Nylon brush
Towel
Old corn broom
Shears
1-gallon wet-stick fibered roof coating
Paint stir stick
Latex gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Sweep dust, dirt and leaves off the leaking area of the roof using a push broom. Rinse the area with water from a garden hose while scrubbing the roof’s surface with a nylon scrub brush. Thoroughly clean the area to ensure the roof tar properly bonds.
- 2
  Allow the wet roof surface to air-dry overnight. If you must patch the roof at once, wipe the wet area with a towel until the roof surface is fully dry.
- 3
  Trim 2 inches of bristles off the end of an old corn broom using shears. The short, stiff bristles on the broom make spreading the roof tar more convenient.
- 4
  Open a 1-gallon container of wet-stick fibered roof coating. Using a paint stir stick, stir the roof coating until the tar’s consistency becomes uniform. Wear latex gloves when using the tar.
- 5
  Pour the fibered roof coating out of its container and directly onto the leaking area of the roof. Immediately spread the tar onto the roof using the corn broom. Although coverage varies, 1 to 2 gallons of tar typically cover a 100 square foot area.
- 6
  Let the wet-stick roof coating cure for three days.

How to Replace Roof Vent Pipe Flashing on a Low Slope Roof

How to Replace a Section of Tar Paper on the Roof

Roof Repairs