When And How To Use Roofing Cement

Roof leaks, loosened shingles, and cracks, holes, or gaps in your roofing are a big deal – and not one you can afford to ignore or delay to repair without running significant water damage risks. For many of these problems, you can use ordinary roofing cement to make the problem go away.

Using the best type and brand of roofing cement and applying it in the right spots in the right quantity and manner is key to making a permanent fix. The tips on using roofing cement given below can help you tackle the job yourself, but if you don’t have the time or desire for a DIY approach, a local contractor can handle this process for you.

What Is Roofing Cement Made Of?

Roof cement comes in many formulas, but in general, it consists of a combination of emulsified asphalt, refined mineral spirits, plasticizing agents, and reinforcement fibers. Modern roof cement will NOT contain asbestos. You can get special forms of roofing cement that can be laid down effectively even on a wet surface, though the “regular” style adheres best to dry surfaces only.

Of course, you can’t use roofing cement for just anything, but on the other hand, it is a rather multi-purpose product. It can fill in cracks in concrete as sure as in roofs. It often is used to create a water resistant seal around chimneys and vents or in roof valleys.

You can also squeeze it tight into any small holes in a roof to plug them up. Finally, the same product works well to stop gutters from leaking and to hold down any asphalt roof shingles that may be loose or popping up (if you don’t want to just replace such shingles entirely.)

How To Apply Roofing Cement

It’s best to work on all roof repairs in dry weather only, and preferably in low (if any) wind. Professionals, however, will be able to handle a wider range of weather possibilities and still get the job done – especially if it’s an emergency repair. Plus, remember that wet-on cement formulas can be used when necessary.

First of all, the area of application must be cleaned off thoroughly. Dust, dirt, or debris in the cement would reduce adhesion and durability. The cement should not be thinned out too much, but put on generously. A trowel or putty knife can be used to force the cement into small holes so as to fully fill them or to spread it out evenly over a flat surface.

For wet formula applications, you may need to start with a eight-inch thick layer and then add additional layers several hours later. For roof blisters, bust the blister open and make sure it’s dry first before applying the cement. For sealing down shingles or flashing, use around a quarter to half inch thick layer of roofing cement.

If you have larger holes or fissures in the roofing, you may need to install rolled roofing or other fabrics first before sealing it over with roof cement. It might even be necessary to install more plywood, underlayment, or shingles in extreme cases.

Never try to fix a problem yourself if you don’t know how or you don’t possess basic roofing skills – or you risk hurting yourself or making the roof problem worse. Roofing cement can solve many roof issues, but if it will require more involved repairs, be sure to contact a local, Central Florida roofer like Sheegog Contracting!