The inside of my house smells like tar, what is causing it?

Question

We did have a new roof put on the same day the smell became noticeable, the roofer said he had never heard of it happening before.

Answer 1

It will go away..............if it was a hot tar roof it probably will last for 2 or 3 weeks.........you really shouldn't be getting smell to the inside of your house though, unless you leave the windows open a lot..........have to see it to know.......all the best......don't think it is anything serious. The roofer could have spread a bunch of tar around vents , etc.......did you see anycans or caulking tubes.........if so this will also dry up.

Answer 2

im making the assumption that maybe there might be tar in your house? duh?

Answer 3

maybe it's something else.

I'd call the fire dept to see what is wrong.

Answer 4

You didn't say what kind of roofing was installed on your house.  If it was a built-up, aggregate coated roof there was hot, liquid tar involved in the application.  But surely, you  would have had to notice the terrific tar smell all during that operation coming from the fired tar melting tubs.

But, even with a shingle covered roof -- WITH A NEW UNDERLAYER OF ROOFING FELT (which has a tar base) -- on a hot summer's day  you might very well smell the new roofing felt "settling in" with some slight melting and sealing of the tar.  I believe your roofer was trying to put your mind at ease (and off his back) until such time as you couldn't smell the 'newness' of you roof any longer.

Answer 5

Is it possible you have an air handler or return duct work in the attic that is leaking and pulling in air from the attic?

Answer 6

Haha, what a roofer. No way it could be the tar paper under the shingles.

Answer 7

Even if the roof wasn't actually tarred, asphalt shingles can smell like tar.  I'm sure it will clear up.

I am certain your roofer knows the roof is causing the odor; there isn't anything he can do about it, so he's pleading ignorance to avoid a confrontation.

Answer 8

It's the shingles and tar paper. Shingles are made with asphalt. The smell will go away but it may take a few days especially if the weather is hot.