★ BUR & Hot-Mopped Roof Conversions · Okanagan
Tar & Gravel Roof Replacement
Replace an aging built-up roof with the right system for the home. West Country Roofing compares SBS torch-on roofing, laminated asphalt shingles, standing-seam metal, and metal tiles based on slope, deck condition, drainage, ventilation, and design.
Built-Up Roof Replacement Options
The right system depends on slope, drainage, and deck condition.
Old tar and gravel roofs are heavy layered assemblies. Once the membrane becomes brittle, separated, blistered, or hard to repair, replacement may be the better investment. The correct replacement is not always one product—it depends on how the roof moves water and what the building can support.
SBS Torch-On Roofing
A two-ply SBS system creates a continuous waterproof membrane and is often the most natural replacement for a low-slope built-up roof.
Best for many low slopesLaminated Asphalt Shingles
On suitable 2:12 to below 4:12 roofs, shingles may be possible with special low-slope waterproofing and manufacturer-approved details.
Slope reviewed firstMetal Roofing
Standing-seam metal and metal tiles can modernize the home, but the roof needs the right slope, deck, underlayment, and transition details.
Assessed by systemSlope & Drainage Review
Tar and gravel replacement starts with understanding water movement, scuppers, eaves, drains, ponding, and runoff paths.
Drainage drives the scopeGravel & BUR Removal
Loose gravel and bonded built-up layers are removed carefully so the deck can be cleaned, exposed, and properly inspected.
Removed to a sound substrateClean, Repair or Redeck
Soft, damaged, uneven, or unsuitable decking is corrected before SBS, shingles, or metal roofing is installed.
Deck comes firstEavestrough Planning
Shingle and metal conversions usually shed water to the eaves, so gutters and downspouts may need to be added or upgraded.
Runoff planned properlyFlashings & Penetrations
Curbs, walls, vents, drains, skylights, and penetrations are detailed for the replacement system rather than copied from the old roof.
Detailed for the new roofOur Tar & Gravel Replacement Process
From gravel removal to final system inspection.
Tar and gravel replacement is more labour-intensive than a standard shingle tear-off. We treat tear-off, deck review, drainage planning, waterproofing, flashings, and final inspection as one connected process.
Inspect Slope, Drainage & Attic
We review roof slope, drainage, flashings, penetrations, membrane condition, access, ventilation, and any accessible attic areas.
Remove Gravel and BUR Layers
Loose gravel is collected and the built-up roofing layers are removed so the roof can be brought back to a sound substrate.
Clean and Assess the Deck
The exposed deck is checked for soft areas, damage, uneven surfaces, trapped moisture, unsuitable fastener hold, and transition concerns.
Repair or Redeck Where Required
Depending on the framing and replacement system, damaged or unsuitable areas may be repaired or covered with appropriate OSB or plywood.
Install the Chosen System
SBS, shingles, standing-seam metal, or metal tiles are installed with compatible underlayment, waterproofing, flashings, and drainage details.
Inspect Details and Runoff
Final inspection focuses on seams, laps, flashings, penetrations, edges, gutters, drainage paths, and cleanup before completion.
Built-up roof conversions backed by a 15-year workmanship warranty.
West Country Roofing recommends the replacement system that fits the roof—not a one-size-fits-all product. Whether the right answer is SBS, shingles, metal, or a mixed approach, the workmanship is backed for 15 years.
Low-Slope Details Matter
Built-up roofs fail when water has nowhere reliable to go.
Water can travel within a layered BUR roof before it appears indoors. That is why replacement planning looks beyond the visible wet spot and reviews drainage, deck condition, penetrations, flashings, and whether the new material is appropriate for the slope.
Recurring leaks after repairs
Once a built-up roof becomes brittle, separated, or saturated, small patches may stop bonding reliably and leaks can return in new areas.
Cracking, blistering, or buckling
Widespread cracking, blistering, wrinkling, or buckling can indicate membrane age, trapped moisture, movement, or failed adhesion between layers.
Separated membrane layers
Built-up roofing is a layered assembly. When those layers separate or lift from the deck, dependable repair becomes more difficult.
Low-slope drainage issues
Lower slopes drain slowly and are more exposed to wind-driven rain, ponding, and water sitting near transitions or penetrations.
Gutter and runoff changes
Converting from BUR to shingles or metal can change where water leaves the roof, so eavestroughs and downspouts may be part of the solution.
Repair, Replace or Convert
Choose the path that matches the actual roof.
A tar and gravel roof can often be replaced with SBS torch-on, converted to shingles on qualifying slopes, or converted to metal where the design supports it. The assessment determines the correct route.
SBS Torch-On Replacement
- Often the strongest choice for flat and very low-slope roof areas.
- Creates a continuous waterproof membrane around curbs, drains, walls, and penetrations.
- Works well when the roof design still functions best as a membrane system.
- Deck condition, slope, drainage, and flashing details are assessed before installation.
Shingle or Metal Conversion
- May be possible when the roof has suitable slope, deck, and drainage design.
- From 2:12 to below 4:12, shingle conversions require enhanced low-slope waterproofing.
- Metal requirements vary by system, profile, and manufacturer instructions.
- Often requires eavestrough planning because water now sheds toward roof edges.
Repair vs Replacement
- Localized defects on an otherwise serviceable BUR roof may be repairable.
- Replacement becomes more likely when leaks recur or cracking is widespread.
- Water can travel inside a layered BUR roof before showing up indoors.
- A full assessment looks beyond the visible wet spot and checks the complete assembly.
Lower slopes drain more slowly and are more exposed to wind-driven rain. Below the approved shingle slope, a membrane system such as SBS is normally required. From 2:12 to below 4:12, special shingle waterproofing details are needed and manufacturer instructions apply.
Tar & Gravel Replacement FAQ
Clear answers before your built-up roof conversion begins.
What is a tar and gravel roof?
Tar and gravel roofing is a built-up roofing system, also called BUR or hot-mopped roofing. It is made from alternating layers of asphalt roofing felt and hot-applied asphalt, with gravel used to protect the finished surface from UV exposure and wear.
What are signs a tar and gravel roof is failing?
Warning signs include water stains, attic moisture, recurring leaks after repairs, exposed asphalt, cracking, blistering, buckling, damaged flashings, and membrane layers that separate or lift from the deck.
Can a tar and gravel roof be replaced with shingles?
Yes, if the slope, deck, and design are suitable. Asphalt shingles generally require at least a 2:12 slope, and roofs from 2:12 to below 4:12 require special low-slope waterproofing details based on manufacturer instructions.
Is SBS torch-on better than shingles for a low-slope tar and gravel replacement?
For very low slopes, SBS torch-on is often the stronger choice because it forms a continuous waterproof membrane. On qualifying slopes, laminated shingles with enhanced waterproofing may also be considered.
Does the old tar and gravel roof need to be removed?
For a full conversion, removal to a sound substrate normally provides the best opportunity to inspect the deck and prepare it for the new roof assembly. Final scope depends on the specific roof condition.
Will the roof need new decking?
Not always. Redecking may be recommended if the existing surface is damaged, too minimal, uneven, or unsuitable for the new fasteners or membrane. Full condition is often only visible after tear-off.
Will a tar and gravel conversion need new eavestroughs?
Often, yes, especially when converting to shingles or metal. Those systems typically shed water toward the eaves, so properly sized eavestroughs and downspouts may be needed to carry water away from the foundation.
Can the old gravel be reused?
Sometimes. Clean roof gravel may be useful for landscaping or pathways if a suitable placement area is arranged before tear-off. Contaminated material should be disposed of properly.
How long does tar and gravel roof replacement take?
Timing depends on roof size, access, existing layers, deck repairs, material selection, drainage changes, and weather. BUR removal is usually more labour-intensive than a standard shingle tear-off.
What does a tar and gravel replacement cost?
Cost depends on roof area, slope, access, existing layers, disposal, deck repairs, drainage changes, flashings, and the selected replacement material. An inspection is the best way to compare SBS, shingles, and metal accurately.
Get a tar and gravel replacement quote based on the right system.
Request a project-specific assessment of your roof slope, deck condition, drainage, flashings, replacement options, and complete installation scope.