Putting On Tar Paper For Roofing

Roofing felt also known as tar paper serves as both an extra layer of protection between the shingles and the plywood and as a temporary moisture barrier until all the shingles are in place.

Putting on tar paper for roofing. The roofing felt should be applied in layers that overlap. Felt or building paper must be applied to walls properly to be effective. These cracks will now open up your roof to the same leak you had originally only now you have an additional problem. The idea is to make sure water that falls on the roof drips down from paper to paper and off the roof rather than up under the tar paper potentially damaging the roof s wooden structure.

While impossible to know unless you do an expensive analysis the asphalt used to make modern tar paper contains much more oxygen than it should. How to install roofing tar paper. The 30 pound tar paper is heavier and has much more asphalt in it. As you work the paper can be tacked down in the center so it won t blow away.

And while band aids can be useful they are also temporary. The tar paper made between 1900 and 1980 probably will last far longer than the tar paper made today. Before applying roofing you ll need to cover the sheathing with roofing felt also often called tar paper most local codes call for using 30 pound felt. Wind driven rain or snow can trap water under your shingles putting your roof deck and inner residence at risk of moisture damage leaks rot and mold.

It s important that use the building paper that is recommended for your area. Felt labeled astm 15 meets specific standards and is the norm in many areas. Whether you re building a new house or putting a new roof on your existing house installing tar paper first helps waterproof the roof and prevent leaks. Sometimes called roofing felt underlayment roofing tar paper or roll roofing this is a layer of protection installed between the roof deck and the roofing shingles.

Roofing felt helps. Unfortunately what you are doing is putting a band aid on an open wound. Many builders use standard 15 pound roofing felt. Over a fairly short period of time the tar on your roof is going to begin to dry and crack.