Meta description: Find out where to buy roofing tar in the U.S., which products to look for, how to compare options, and what to check before applying roof repair materials.
Roofing tar is sold through home improvement stores, roofing supply companies, hardware stores, and online retailers. The main challenge is that “roofing tar” can mean several different products, including asphalt roof cement, roofing mastic, and coal tar-based coatings. Those products are not interchangeable. Choosing the right one depends on the roof material, the repair, and the product label. Here is where to shop, what terms to search, and how to avoid buying a material that is unsuitable for the job.
Where to Buy Roofing Tar
In the United States, the most accessible places to shop are national home improvement chains, local roofing supply distributors, hardware stores, and online marketplaces. Product selection varies by location, season, and the type of roof materials stocked in the area. Before visiting a store, check its website or call the location to confirm current availability.
Home Improvement Stores
Stores such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s commonly carry roof repair products in their roofing, building materials, or exterior repair departments. Search their websites for terms such as roof cement, asphalt roof cement, roofing mastic, plastic roof cement, or roof coating. “Roofing tar” may not be the product’s official shelf or online listing name.
These retailers are convenient for small repairs and do-it-yourself projects. Depending on the store, shoppers may find repair cement in caulk-style cartridges, small pails, or larger buckets. Some locations offer curbside pickup or ship products directly, although restrictions may apply to certain liquids, chemicals, or oversized containers.
Roofing Supply Companies
Local roofing distributors often offer a broader selection of professional-grade materials than general retailers. They may carry products matched to specific systems, including asphalt shingles, built-up roofing, modified bitumen, and certain low-slope roofs. Staff can sometimes help identify a product based on the roof assembly, but the building owner or contractor should still check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Search online for “roofing supply near me” or contact the manufacturer of the existing roofing system for authorized distributors. Some distributors primarily serve contractors, so ask whether they sell to the public, whether an account is required, and whether products are available in single-container quantities.
Hardware and Building-Supply Stores
Independent hardware stores and regional building suppliers may stock roof patching compounds, sealants, and repair kits. Their inventory can be especially useful for common emergency repairs, but selection may be limited. A store employee may use “tar” as a general term, so customers should confirm the product’s exact name, intended roof type, and application conditions on the container.
Online Retailers and Manufacturer Websites
Online stores make it easier to compare product labels, container sizes, technical data sheets, and customer reviews. Major retailers, building-supply websites, and some manufacturers sell roof repair products directly or list nearby dealers. Check the seller’s shipping policy before ordering: some products have shipping restrictions, and large pails can be costly to deliver.
Use reviews as a secondary source rather than as a substitute for technical information. Product suitability should be based on the label and manufacturer documentation, not simply on another customer’s roof type or repair conditions.
What “Roofing Tar” Can Mean
The phrase “roofing tar” is used informally and can describe different materials. The product name matters because a patching cement, a coating, and a sealant serve different purposes. The wrong material may fail to bond, damage a roof surface, or complicate a future repair.
| Product name | Common purpose | Key buying check |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt roof cement | Patching or sealing certain asphalt roofing details and small areas | Confirm compatibility with the roof material and application method |
| Roofing mastic | Sealing, bedding, or repairing details where specified by the roofing system | Check whether it is intended for the particular roof assembly |
| Roof coating | Protective or reflective surface layer for compatible roof systems | Verify roof type, coverage rate, preparation, and curing conditions |
| Coal tar pitch product | Specialized roofing applications, often associated with certain built-up systems | Do not assume it is suitable for asphalt shingles or general household repairs |
Many products sold for small roof repairs are asphalt-based rather than coal tar. Asphalt and coal tar are distinct materials with different properties and uses. A listing that says “tar” does not establish that the product is right for a particular roof. If the roof’s material is unknown, identify it before buying or consult a qualified roofing professional.
How to Choose the Right Product
Identify the Roof Material
Start by determining whether the roof is asphalt shingle, metal, tile, wood, membrane, or built-up roofing. The surface material alone may not tell the whole story: low-slope roofs can have multiple layers, seams, and coatings. A product labeled for asphalt shingles may not be suitable for a rubber membrane, metal panel, or tile roof.
Check the roof manufacturer’s repair guidance, warranty information, or installation documents when available. If the roof has a single-ply membrane or is part of a commercial roofing system, use materials approved for that system rather than a generic patch compound.
Match the Product to the Repair
A small crack, a damaged shingle, a loose flashing detail, and a broad roof coating are different repair problems. Roof cement may be used for certain localized patches, but it is not a universal fix for leaks. A leak can originate uphill or away from the visible ceiling stain, and covering the apparent entry point may not address the cause.
For widespread deterioration, recurring leaks, soft decking, or damage around multiple penetrations, a patching product may only hide a larger problem. A roofing contractor can inspect the assembly and recommend a repair that addresses the source rather than just the symptom.
Read the Label and Technical Data Sheet
Before purchase, review the manufacturer’s directions for approved surfaces, surface preparation, application thickness, temperature range, and curing or drying time. Check whether the material must be applied to a dry surface or can be used under damp conditions. Do not infer wet-surface compatibility from words such as “waterproof” or “all-weather” in a product description.
Also check the stated coverage. Coverage can vary with surface texture, application thickness, and repair size. A small cartridge may be adequate for a narrow joint, while a larger pail may be more economical for a specified area. Follow the label’s coverage estimate instead of assuming that a container will cover a particular number of square feet.
Typical Price and Package Considerations
Roof repair materials range from small tubes and cartridges to one-gallon containers and larger pails. Prices vary by brand, formulation, package size, and retailer, so a single national price is not reliable. Compare the cost per unit and the amount required for the repair, but do not choose a product solely because it is cheaper.
Look for the product’s intended use and compare equivalent package sizes. A roof coating and a patching cement may both be sold in pails but do different jobs. For a small repair, a large container can leave substantial unused material; for a larger job, several small cartridges may cost more and take longer to apply.
Check the shelf life, storage requirements, and return policy before buying. Some opened containers cannot be returned, and material that has been stored improperly may not perform as intended. If buying online, inspect the product on delivery and confirm that the container is sealed and undamaged.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- What is the exact product name? Ask whether it is asphalt roof cement, mastic, coating, sealant, or a coal tar product.
- Which roof materials are approved? Confirm compatibility with the actual roofing system, not just the general category of “roof.”
- Is it intended for a patch, seam, flashing detail, or full-surface coating? These uses require different products.
- What are the application conditions? Check temperature, weather, surface-dryness requirements, and cure time.
- Does the roof manufacturer permit it? Some repairs can affect warranties or conflict with system specifications.
- What safety precautions are required? Read the label and safety data sheet for protective equipment, ventilation, and handling instructions.
Safety and Application Considerations
Roofing products can contain petroleum-based ingredients, solvents, or other chemicals. Read the label and safety data sheet before use, follow the specified protective measures, and keep materials away from children, pets, flames, and ignition sources when the label requires it. Use only the ventilation and protective equipment recommended by the manufacturer.
Roof work also presents fall hazards, even on a one-story home. Wet, dusty, steep, or damaged surfaces can be especially dangerous. Do not climb onto a roof in poor weather or attempt a repair if access, slope, height, or roof condition creates an unsafe situation. A licensed or qualified roofing contractor is the safer option when the repair requires roof access or involves structural damage.
Do not apply a product in conditions that conflict with the label. Rain, low temperatures, high temperatures, or a damp substrate can affect adhesion and curing. A material that appears to cover a leak immediately may still need time to set, and a surface patch does not necessarily restore the original roofing system.
Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming Every Black Roof Product Is the Same
Color is not a reliable way to identify a roofing material. Products that look similar can have different ingredients, uses, and compatibility requirements. Read the product label and technical documentation instead of selecting by appearance.
Using a Generic Patch on an Incompatible Roof
A product made for asphalt roofing may not adhere properly to a membrane, metal, or coated surface. Some formulations can also be incompatible with certain roofing materials. Confirm approval for the specific substrate before applying anything.
Treating a Coating as a Structural Repair
Roof coatings are generally intended for compatible surfaces and specified conditions. They do not automatically repair rotten decking, loose roofing, failed flashing, or a leak caused by a damaged layer beneath the surface. Extensive damage needs diagnosis and repair, not simply a thicker coating.
Ignoring the Manufacturer’s Instructions
Application thickness, preparation, weather limits, and curing time can determine whether a repair lasts. Skipping these directions can lead to poor adhesion or premature failure. Keep the product label and receipt, and document the product used if future warranty or repair questions arise.
How to Find Roofing Tar Near You
For a quick local search, try phrases such as “asphalt roof cement near me,” “roofing mastic near me,” or “roof repair compound near me,” along with the name of a nearby home improvement store or roofing supplier. These more precise searches often return better results than “roofing tar,” which can produce products intended for unrelated uses.
Use retailer inventory tools as a starting point, then confirm stock with the store. For a specialized roof, contact a roofing distributor or the roof-system manufacturer and ask for the approved repair material and local source. A contractor can also identify the existing roof assembly and purchase a compatible product through professional channels.
In short, roofing tar and roof repair products are available at home improvement chains, local hardware stores, roofing suppliers, and online retailers. The best purchase is not necessarily the product with “tar” in its name; it is the one whose label specifically matches the roof material, repair, and application conditions. Check the manufacturer’s documentation before buying, and leave unsafe or extensive roof repairs to a qualified professional.