Roofing "tar": what's best for near-flat leaky roof, while it's raining now?

Question

I have a nearly-flat roof, with an old tar-paper/tar cover, that is leaking. The house is a complete tear-down and will go on the market within six months, so it's not worth the expense of actually re-tarring. A year ago I tried a water-based roof-sealant (brown goop in 20 gallon drums), but it didn't work.

To keep it dry inside for the next six months, I'm thinking of rolling down overlapping layers of Tyvek ($150 for 9' x 150' roll), as a stop-gap. I'm in Oregon, so I expect continuous rain. Ideally, I'd slather on some goop both under the Tyvek and on top of it (oil-based or water-based?). Can anything be applied while the roof is wet?

I don't expect more than 2-3 days of dry weather for months, and meanwhile the roof is leaking in several spots. (It's impossible to pinpoint exactly where, because the water runs down the ceiling insulation for many yards.)

Suggestions welcome. Thank you!

Thanks for your help!

What is "rolled roofing"? Rolls of "tar-paper"? Does one use some kind of "tar" with it, underneath and/or on top? (Henry's Wet Patch or Wet-n-Dry?)

[I did black plastic nailed over roof-line edge about a year ago (thought I'd have it cleared out sooner). With an overhanging chestnut tree it developed tiny holes from the dropped chestnuts/branches.]

Thanks again.

P.S. Main roof is 30' x 40', virtually-flat, with an "L" off that.

Answer 1

pray for no rain

Answer 2

You don't want tarps or anything else if it requires seems.

If you are going to use tyvekk I would just buy a roll of clear 6 mil plastic for about 1/4 as much and put it on in one peice, tacking down all the edges with 1x2 boards and nailes over the edge of the roof line. Multiple peices will allow wind and moisture to get up underneath and flap the cover to shreds in a few months. You want one big peice of plastic tacked down seemlessly all the way around the roof line. If the plastic is going to be on longer than 6 months you want UV rated 1 year (or longer, up to 4 year) plastic. If you can't find some, if you post your email I can get in touch with you and get 4 year plastic for you at a good price. Otherwise, construction plastic from the lumber yard will last 6 months.

I'm not sure what you mean that the house is a complete tear down and will go on the market in 6 months? If you are going to sell the property with the house on it (even if it is worthless) or will likely be torn down why don't you use rolled roofing? It is cheap, easy and quick way to roof a house. It will last a lot longer than you need but will keep the roof from leaking and won't look as horrible as tyvekk spread everywhere. Rolled roofing is the preferred shingle on a low pitch roof and as an added benefit, it is also the cheapest and easiest to install.

Answer 3

Get as many quotes as you want, insurance companies say 3 but you are paying so get as many as you are happy with or a price you are happy with. How do you pick one, well that's a 64000$ question, ask friend and neighbours if they know a good roofer or if you see one doing the work go back in a couple of weeks and see how well they have done like ask the house owners. I had my roof repaired about 4 months ago which wasn't done right and he came back 4 times to fix the leak and i'll have him back but my neighbour had his roof done in 09 by a different bloke and it still isn't right and he don't come back

Answer 4

Roofing Tar

Answer 5

Since your climate is really wet, most patch jobs will leak. You can buy tarps large enough to cover the roof. Get one and nail it down. I would use strapping around the perimeter, leaving gaps for run off. I'd also strap every two feet in one direction. By only nailing through the strapping, you'll keep the wind prom pulling the tarp up off the nails. Trim off excess tarp with a utility knife. Spread the Henry 505 over everything.

Answer 6

The Tyvek sounds like a good idea. If the area to cover isn't too big why not buy one of those new cheap(usually blue) tarps? I have had good luck on flat surfaces with "fibered" roof sealers. They are a little thicker than the brown stuff and the fibers seem to help it seal. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Well Pal, go ahead and "slather" on "Henerys 505" it will go on in wet weather. You can put silver seal on top if you wanted use about one gallon to five gallons of gas. No smoking of course.
All the roofing companies use this in Vegas.

Answer 8

Try emulsified asphalt in conjunction with wet patch. It is thin enough to paint or roll on and can be used with tyvek, tar paper or felt to quickly seal it.

Answer 9

Blackjack Wet-r-Dry, or other Wet-r-Dry brands available at most hardware and home improvement stores.

Answer 10

there is a product called wet patch...ask about it at the lumbar store

added:
here's a link http://www.henry.com/Patching_Repair_Cements.175.0.html

Answer 11

big blue! tarps and wood firring strips! run the strips every 4 feet.