The roofing industry is one that’s constantly growing and innovating. As part of that growth and innovation, people are constantly producing new products for various purposes. Roofing cement is one of those many products. 

Roofing cement consists of a mixture of cement, rubber, and other materials. It usually comes in a can, tube of caulking, or bottle and is mostly used to perform roofing repairs. Because of how it’s designed and its texture, roofing cement is quickly becoming a preferred option both for professional and DIY roofing repairs. If you’re curious and want to know more about this unique product, you’ve come to the right place. 

What is Roofing Cement? 

As briefly described, roofing cement is a valuable product used in a variety of roofing repairs. Roofing cement consists of a unique combination of rubber, cellulose, solvents, fiberglass, mineral elements, and cutback asphalt, with asphalt being the main ingredient. It’s referred to as cement because of how hard it gets upon application. 

Roofing cement is also known as goop, plastic cement, and flashing cement, among others. It goes by these names because of how sticky and tar-like it is. In its contained state, roofing cement looks like overly thick, goopy paint or silicone. 

How Does Roofing Cement Work 

Roofing cement typically comes in an airtight package, such as a tube of caulking or a paint can. As long as it remains sealed, the cement inside the container remains soft, pliable, and liquid. After it’s exposed to the air, however, the cement hardens and becomes stiff and brittle. Therefore, it’s important to keep your roofing cement in a safe place so that it doesn’t harden before you have a chance to use it. 

Here’s a quick rundown of how it works. 

1. A mineral solvent is one of the main ingredients in roofing cement. 
2. The solvent keeps the cement in a fluid-like state while it’s in a sealed container. 
3. Once you apply the cement, the solvent releases and evaporates into the air. 
4. With the solvent gone, there’s nothing to soften the cement, and it starts to harden. 
5. This process is known as curing, and it typically starts within several hours of exposure. 
6. The cement will then feel hard to the touch within six to twelve hours, but it won’t fully cure for several weeks or more. 

The amount of time it takes to cure and harden depends on the type of roofing cement you use. The lower the solvent content, the faster the drying and curing time. However, a lower solvent content could also make for lower-quality roofing cement. 

Uses for Roofing Cement 

The main use for roofing cement is during repairs and maintenance. Roofing cement can get applied to nearly any type of roof, including shingles, tile, metal, rubber, and more. Because of how well it adheres to most roofs and how easy it is to use, roofing cement is a premium repair option. 

Another reason that roofing cement is loved for repairs is that you can apply it yourself. It’s a great DIY option, especially when you’re in a pinch and need an immediate fix. Once you apply the cement, you should contact us so that we can come to your home and make a permanent repair. We will either modify your temporary fix or remove the concrete and start from scratch. Until we can get there, however, the concrete will keep your home dry and safe. 

Is Roofing Cement the Right Option for Me? 

While roofing cement is a great material that’s making its mark in the roofing industry, it certainly is only right for some situations. For instance, roofing cement is a bad option for extensive roofing repairs or entire missing tiles or shingles. Here are some of the best instances to use roofing cement. 

• You have a small leak. 
• You’re in an emergency situation, and a professional roofer can’t make the repair. 
• The repair in question is, at most several inches in size. 
• You’re repairing small holes or cracks in your roof or around flashing. 

Here are some instances and applications where there are better options than roofing cement for you. 

• Your roof is old, brittle, and in need of other repairs. 
• You should never apply roofing cement to EPDM or PVC pipes. 
• If it’s colder than 50 degrees outside, roofing cement may not adhere. 

How to Use Roofing Cement

If you think that roofing cement is the right product for your repair, here’s everything you need to know about using it. 

For starters, choose which type of roofing cement you want and purchase it in the right type of container. Roofing cement is available in a can or in a caulking tube. For cracks, tiny leaks, and seams, caulk is a good option because it’s quick and easy to apply. For larger holes and extensive cracks, a can is the better option. You can then use a putty knife to scoop the cement out of the can, apply it to the damage, and give it a nice, smooth finish. 

Before applying the roofing cement, it’s important to thoroughly clean and dry the area of application. You should also continue applying roofing cement until you can no longer see the crack or leak in question. It may take multiple layers, so be thorough and patient. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Cement

How long does it take for roofing cement to cure? 

The exact curing time varies from product to product. In general, however, it takes 6 to 12 hours for roofing cement to harden and up to a month to fully cure. 

What can you use roofing cement for? 

Roofing cement is mainly used for emergency short-term repairs or permanent long-term repairs. 

Is roofing cement the same as roofing tar? 

Roofing cement is similar to roofing tar and serves a similar purpose, but they’re different materials. 

Who to Turn to for Professional Roofing Repairs and Maintenance

As you can see, roofing cement is a great material to have around the house in case of an emergency roofing repair. However, once you apply the cement, it’s important to contact us at KangaRoof so that we can make a permanent repair. While we occasionally use roofing cement where acceptable, we also use other methods and tools to ensure a high-quality fix.