Built-up Tar & Gravel
Built-up Tar & Gravel Roofing in Dallas, TX
The gravel layer increases the lifespan of the roof even though the asphalt waterproofs it (essential for flat roofs where water and moisture can pile up instead of draining off as it would on a sloped roof).
You should be aware that the “gravel” is typically some type of aggregate material, such as pea gravel, slag, or mineral granules, that are pea-sized and roughly a quarter-inch thick, and that they are used to meet the requirements for the Class A surface burning designation.
What is a Built-up Tar & Gravel Roof (BUR)?
Built-up roofs, also known as tar and gravel roofs, are a well-known and widely used type of flat roof that are composed of alternating layers of roofing felt or fiberglass and asphalt that are heatedly placed. Together, these layers form a durable, long-lasting roofing system.
The gravel contained in the flood coat, which is the top layer of asphalt, shields the surrounding layers from the sun’s UV rays and other environmental dangers such roof hail damage and torrential rain.
Depending on the underlying layers, the design of the building, and the local environment, various types of BURs call for a particular type and weight of gravel.
Why Go With a Tar & Gravel Roofing System?
A tar and gravel roof has many advantages.
Depending on where they are and how the rest of the land is built, they typically last for 20 to 25 years (barring any major natural disasters of course).
The weatherproofing properties of the roof’s inlaid gravel might stop deterioration like cracking or scorching that eventually causes leaks or other problems.
Types of Gravel & Tar Roofs
Modified bitumen roofs, which are a combination of asphalt and rubber with a layer of gravel on top, and ballast roofing, which is a different style of bigger gravel laid on top of a single-ply roofing system, are the two main types of BURs or tar and gravel roofing systems.
Ballast Tar & Gravel Roofing
If you reside somewhere with an easy source of ballast (rocks or gravel of the suitable size) and you prefer the visual look and texture of the larger stones, ballast roofing can be the best option for your commercial property.
You can also add paving stones to make walkways, which raises the value of your home.
Ballast is frequently used with flat roofs constructed of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), which are alternatives to tar and gravel.
It resists fire (ballast roofing provides Class- Ballast roofing systems are a common option because of their fire resistance (without the need for gypsum underlayments or pricey fire-retardant chemicals), sustainability, ease of repair (since the ballast stones aren’t actually embedded in the membrane, they can be easily removed and the membrane repaired as needed), and overall energy efficiency.
Maintenance of Tar & Gravel Roofs
How long tar and gravel roofs can survive with proper maintenance is several decades.
A roof can be fortified or further constructed by adding more layers to it, such as more fiberglass or foam to boost insulation. In addition, putting a fresh acrylic or elastomeric “cool roof” coating will assist your flat roofing system become even more waterproof.
Tar & Gravel Roof RepairX
Since a properly maintained BUR roofing system can endure for decades, it is likely that you will need to repair your roofing system at some point throughout its lifetime. It is best to leave tar and gravel repairs to the experts.
It may be necessary to make a temporary roof leak repair before a roofing contractor can construct a more long-lasting solution to leaks and other damage to tar and gravel flat roofs.
However, if you’re inspecting an existing tar and gravel roof on a building you’re thinking about buying, keep in mind that a lot of leaks could be an indication of a lot of previous leaks and weak spots, both of which are undesirable for obvious reasons.
Before purchasing a new property, you can and should always consult with your public adjuster/building inspector and local contractors.
After all, the regions are more likely to leak again if the repairs weren’t made correctly by skilled specialists versed with these kinds of roofing systems, especially if your area is prone to heavy rainfall or natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and hailstorms.
A tar and gravel roof should be completely replaced if there are patches covering more than 25% of it, according to the majority of specialists.
Additionally, if you are thinking about purchasing a home with this style of flat roofing, walk on the roof yourself to get a sense of how it feels.
It is up to you to decide whether you think the investment is worthwhile because things like loose patches, depressions, cracking, discolouration, blistering, and other degraded surfaces are all signs that this roof will probably need to be replaced sooner rather than later.