Our 35 year old pitch and gravel roof. Again.

> Have been extremely satisfied with our now 35 year old roof. Friends and
> neighbours have re-shingled at least once! One neighbour, same age of
> house as ours, is preparing to 'asphalt' re-shingle for a second time.
> Our roof is a very simple tarred felt, gravel topped, often referred to as
> a "pitch and gravel". Dimensions are 62 by 37 feet with an almost central
> ridge with low, 3 in 17 forward and rear slopes. (When originally built it
> was recommended as too low a slope for any form of shingling!) We have
> kept apertures through the roof to a minimum and the caulking around the
> three is checked annually.
> Overall roof is in good shape; no leaks. In recent 5 years two minor cases
> of slight water seepage into the soffit area, were both successfully
> repaired. Both were due to slight shrinkage of tar away from the edge
> flashing, evidenced by paint peeling/bubbling on the edge soffit board.
> Following that we keep an eye on all edges to avoid anything further. The
> painted Al. edge flashing is in good shape with no corrosion despite
> proximity to the high winds and corrosive sea air of the North Atlantic.
> The fact that nothing is sealed up behind vinyl siding and soffit trim
> also helps to keep an eye on the condition of the edging of the roof.
> Roof structure is sound due to adequate venting of attic. Over the years
> some loss of gravel due to snow and high winds; now a few small areas
> where the top layer of felt seems bare but those are not abraded or
> cracked.
> Called several roofing companies, all of whom were very busy with new
> construction. Only one came to look at the roof. All, even those sight
> unseen, recommended tearing off and using 'Hot roll roofing' which is
> 'torched' on.
> No doubt that's a good modern method of roofing.
> But as time goes by others, than roofers, in the residential housing
> industry, whose opinion I respect have said "If it's not broke don't fix
> it". Also pointing out there are 100+ year (1892) old wooden homes no
> better constructed than our 1970s wood frame house with 'tarred roofs'
> that have been continually repaired; usually by owners, do-it-your-selfers
> and/or home renovators etc.
> So my question for anyone with an opinion or experience with this type of
> roof is; should I contract with one of the several companies here who seem
> to spend a lot of time repairing the flat tarred roofs of commercial
> buildings such as schools and s.markets etc. Have them sweep the remaining
> gravel into piles, add a dressing (or two) of hot tar or one of those
> commercial 'brush on' roofing products similar to that used for sealing
> driveways and reapply the gravel adding more as necessary.
> For the last fifteen years or so I've been thinking 'Have to replace that
> roof some year/decade'! But with care and attention it never seems to get
> any worse (except for some wind loss of gravel). And it's only been
> necessary to (carefully) shovel snow off it twice during the 35 years;
> normally snow blows away or just melts!

> Don't mess with it. It does not leak. Why bother.
> Roofs either work or they don't. Yours works.