FHA question/Tar & Gravel Roof

[Donna Quixote]

Have a house which was made about a cheaply as possible at the time of construction in 1955. Alum. windows and screens, panelled walls, and most of all a tar and gravel roof. This is a ranch with a shallow pitch roof which may be original, I am not sure. Interior shows no leaks from what I could see from interior, but due to the fact that this is very atypical and I cannot guarantee 2 more years of remaining effective life, would you call for an inspection?

 

[Mr Rex]

A tar and gravel roof is not a cheap roof system. (Some old "coal tar" roofs last over 50 years). The proper term is built up roof. The system is several layers of asphalt impregnated building paper covered with tar, then another layer of paper and tar, and so on. The gravel is to keep the UV rays from damaging the tar.

From FHA.

Roof Surface
• Note any evidence of deterioration of roofing materials (missing tiles,
shingles, flashing). Deteriorated roofing materials include those that are
worn, cupped, or curled.​

•

If the roof is otherwise unobservable, look for telltale signs of roof problems on the interior, such as damage or water stains to the ceiling area of a room or closet.

• ​

​

The appraiser must note in the appraisal that he/she could not adequately observe the entire roof area (state which area(s) were unobservable). Based on the information reported by the appraiser, the underwriter will determine whether or not a roofing inspection is required.

​

 

[Scott R Marshall]

Just goes to show that market acceptance is 1 critical aspect of appraising often over looked. In my neck of the woods, built up tar and gravel roof surfaces are on at least 25% of all homes out here and may very well account for a larger percentage than that. Biggest drawback to them is that they generally require repair a bit more frequently than other types of roof surfaces but the costs associated with those repairs are generally less than that for other types of roof surfaces, so I guess in some sense it is a wash. Most of them out here are on flat roofed homes (pueblo style) although a few are on pitched roofs.

Unless I see evidence of water staining within the interior of the home, I would not automatically call for an inspection but market reaction, and any appropriate adjustments, is another thing entirely.

 

[Donna Quixote]

Thanks for the info, this is the first one I have had and you just don't see them on pitched roofs around here. I appreciate the help.

 

[BOCK FOLKEN]

Never seen a BUR roof last 56 years. You may have a second and possibly third replacement roof on this house. These tend to be more common in the southern states due to the low pitch (no snow).

In addition to the UV protection, the gravel is also there to displace water and keep it from ponding. So we look for a. plenty of gravel, b. no ponding. If you see ponding water, or big black tar patches without rock, then its time to be concerned. You may not see this unless you get up there, or have a higher vantage point (ladder, or 2nd story view).

If the roof (tar and rock) looks uniform, the flashing is not rusted, and no evidence of leakage on the interior ceilings or walls...probably good to go.

 

[CANative]

Tar & Gravel is pretty common in older houses in my neck of the woods.

 

[Mr Rex]

Still used regularly on commerical buildings.

 

[444nutman]

After hurricane Charlie, my neighbors were doing recon for shingles from their roof, I was sipping beer in my driveway. My tar & gravel roof had no such problem.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Tar & gravel on 2:12 pitch roofing was common fad at one time...mid-50s to maybe early 60's. Alum frame windows were also the next new thing..."cheap" would have been wood windows, single pane in the 50s. Again Paneling was a great new thing...then sheetrock came back. In the dark 70s, dark colors and paneling came back in vogue for a while...along with earth tone appliances like Harvest gold and Avacado Green...

 

[CANative]

Tar & gravel on 2:12 pitch roofing was common fad at one time...mid-50s to maybe early 60's. Alum frame windows were also the next new thing..."cheap" would have been wood windows, single pane in the 50s. Again Paneling was a great new thing...then sheetrock came back. In the dark 70s, dark colors and paneling came back in vogue for a while...along with earth tone appliances like Harvest gold and Avacado Green...

Now I'm paranoid that you've been spying on me my entire life.