Reasons to Replace a Hot Tar Roof
In this article, Mario Williams, a partner at Lone Star Roofing, explains the most common reasons for needing to replace a hot tar roof.
These days, the majority of commercial roofs out there are what we call built up or “hot tar” roofs. Because of this, we repair or replace hundreds of these roofs each year in our business at Lone Star Roofing. Of course, when you start talking about the reasons we are repairing this specific type of roof, there might be a couple of reasons that are common.
The biggest reason is, obviously, because the roof is leaking on you. That’s a good reason to replace a roof. If your roof is leaking—whatever type of roofing material you have—that is never a good sign. One mistake people often make, though, is to think that one little drip means an entire roof needs to be replaced. Oftentimes, a hot tar roof doesn’t really need to be replaced at the first sign of a leak.
If you stand in front of a leak coming through your roof and you just get a few little drips, then you probably have time to get someone to come out and fix the problem as long as you do so in a reasonable amount of time. In situation like this, where the leak is minimal, I would advise that you don’t replace the entire roof right away unless you have to.
Instead, I would advise people to patch their roof in the necessary areas. There are a number of ways that you can patch a hot tar roof—these roofs are highly patchable. So you can easily hire someone to just come out to your property to patch it up. That is not a bad idea for a lot of people, since it can save them money.
Now, if you let that leak go and you neglect it—or if you have been patching it and patching it for years, and the insulation has gotten wet in the meantime—then you may have gone beyond the point or repair, and you may now have a reason why you are going to need to get a whole new hot tar roof.
What you don’t want is wet insulation. To help people understand, there is the roof deck in your building, there is the insulation, and then you have the roofing. If you let it leak too much, then the insulation will get wet with water. In that case, you have to tear all that up. You just can’t go over wet insulation with more roofing and trap all that moisture in there because you will cause a problem with your roof deck. And once you have a problem with your roof deck, you are going to be inflating your bill because you have a whole other issue to resolve.
So once your leak has gotten down to your insulation and caused wetness, you need to replace your entire hot tar—or built up—roof. Before that, most building owners or homeowners can simply call in a roofing contractor to do a bit of patching, which is going to save them a lot of money right up front. But, like I said, far and away the most common reason a person needs to replace his or her “hot tar” roof is because of a leak that has sprung up and wasn’t fixed quickly enough.
Watch this video about roof repair contractor
www.homerestorationsmd.com Welcome to another video from Home Restorations of Md where we performed roof repairs on this home in Laurel, Maryland. 1) Three pipe collars were replaced 2) Several shingles were installed and sealed with Geocel Tripolymer Sealant. 3) Two bathroom fans were resealed. 4) Ridge vents were resealed (upper and lower) and three end plugs were installed where there were none. 5) Gutters were respiked, retightened 6) One section of gutter guard was renailed and sealed. 7) Vent stack was resealed at the “umbrella flange” section. Tip: Have a roofing professional inspect your roof every year to prolong the life of your roof and eliminate interior damage. Pay special attention to the pipe collars, which we find to be the biggest culprit when it comes to roof leaks. Please help to answer the question about roof repair contractorwhere do i find a qualified contractor to repair or replace a second floor porch that's in danger due to rot?
About 6 feet deep by 22 feet across. Supported on 4 metal 6" posts. About 11 feet off the ground. The front of porch supports the building roof with 4 wood posts. The metal posts supporting the porch are right at the village sidewalk.
It's locate in Voorheesville, NY 10 miles southwest of Albany.
At least 15 contractors have looked at the job. Most say they're too busy right now (for last 3 months) some say it's too big a job for them. Several have said they could do it but I can't get a written commitment, or price. Many don't even return calls.
To get a permit to do the work requires:
1. Either proof of worker's compensation (WC) coverage OR written confirmation that WC is not needed because contractor has no employees.
2. Liability coverage naming me as additional insured.
3. sketch of work to be done.
4. Signed contract.
About Author
Mario Williams -
About the Author:
Mario Williams is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Save money with the Guide to Roofing or more Home Care articles at the Yodle Consumer Guide, The Yodler. Also check out Reasons to Replace a Hot Tar Roof
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- Houston Roof Repair – Information For When You Are Replacing Your Roof
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May 29th, 2010 | by roofing contractor |
By spazzy_mcg on May 30, 2010
Since you are a Yahoo user, why not try the Yahoo Yellow Pages:
http://yp.yahoo.com/
Check out any prospective contractors references and ask for a certificate of insurance proving that they carry liability and workers compensation insurance. Do not give your contractor a large downpayment … no more than 10%, with the balance due upon completion.
Good luck with your search.
By john d on May 30, 2010
i would think if you had damage to your roof that would be covered by insurance you would have already contacted your insurance company. the contractor can look at the roof, assess the damage and give an estimate. filing a claim is your responsibiity (if it's your house). in most cases, repairs from general wear and tear are not covered by homeowners insurance. contact your insurance company yourself to find out if the repairs will be covered before committing to anything with a contractor.
By Wordpress on May 30, 2010
@coldsud17 That’s a great observation, and very important. Yes, in addition to sealing around the pipe collar (to prevent wind driven rain from being forced under the shingles on the slick metal surface of the pipe collar) with Geocel Tripolymer Sealant — I always put a “quarter size” application under old shingles that have been lifted up too.
Location of the Geocel is about one inch up from the bottom of the tab, right in the center.
Thanks!
-Bill T-
By Blogger on May 30, 2010
I don’t know if you showed it but where you had to pop the old shingles up so you could get to the nails holding the ones you removed. did you reseal them with the caulk because usually if it’s an older roof they won’t reseal that well or at all causing a tab blow off.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2010
You’ve done this before
By deedy66 on May 31, 2010
Contact the "Contractor's State License Board". The board will investigate a complaint such as this. Obviously, the work wasn't done properly or there would be no leak ! The contract should be for a "scope of work". That would make the contractor liable. He cannot deny responsibility if the roofer was paid by him.
By WPBlog Shop on May 31, 2010
If it looks good and it doesn’t leak, it’s been done correctly. Time/labor is too expensive for me to do them this way, but it works! I have learned to peel the rubber boot off the aluminum, cut the o-ring off the bottom, then slid it down over the original cracked leaking boot. I can redo a whole house in under 5 minutes of being on the roof. That really cuts down on our labor costs/adds to the profit. And it still looks good and it doesn’t leak.
By Anonymous on May 31, 2010
Any ideas how I could fix the pipe collar on an electrical riser without disconnecting the power? The upper portion of the rubber has a BIG hole. I was thinking of cutting a collar at the bottom with tin snips and laying it on top of the old collar. Then maybe laying rubber from another collar under the split and using a tripolymer sealant. A roofer suggested filling the hole with MP-1 sealant. Otherwise we need an electrician.
By cool_yada_yada1 on Jun 1, 2010
Go ahead…it started what? leaking again. You could go up into the attic (loft) and look for the dripping while a friend uses a hose on the roof. Because it was roofed doesn't mean it was roofed right.
Call the contractor back and let him know right away.
By Joe v on Jun 1, 2010
There is ALWAYS someone who is willing to do the work and will do a good job. Typically this person does not advertise and works on referral. Continue to ask your neighbors and friends and local supply stores (not Home Depot) and you will come up with someone.
The insurance you speak of is typical and all licensed guys can provide this.
By magnetic_azimuth on Jun 1, 2010
I think brother deserves a huge hug and a thank you from sis! He was taking care of his sister because most of these guys will not do that! Oh, there might be a couple but I sure as heck haven't found them.
By Danny on Jun 1, 2010
The drip edge should match the fascia and soffit. It's available in all of the colors that the F&S come in, so there's no excuse for not using it. White drip edge with brown fascia looks terrible, as you can see. Hope this helps.
By Anonymous on Jun 1, 2010
Thanks for the good words, Ponch. Yes, it can be a real hassle trying to find someone that can replace pipe collars on their roof correctly.
-Bill T-
By Anonymous on Jun 1, 2010
I wonder how long it actually takes them to fit a new one ?? Because i cant assume it takes 4 minuits ;D
By perfecttiming1 on Jun 2, 2010
Most typically, it's a sprayed polyurethane foam system. Simple repairs can be made with a sealant, unless you need a section replaced.
By Free Blog on Jun 2, 2010
Thanks for replying, Johnny.
I understand the labor cost issues, but I’ve been called to repair pipe collars that have been repaired this way. It seems some roof repair guys don’t pay attention to where the flange integrates with the shingles (especially on the plastic units) and sometimes overlook issues like cracking, cracked shingles, etc.
Be careful out there; one “callback” would be a lot more expensive and damaging to your reputation than $50 to $100 for labor to replace the whole unit.