Currently I have a torch down tar roof with lots of little rocks on it (I believe its gravel) but I noticed that the rocks are kind of patchyAre these rocks only meant for protecting the tar, or do they reflect heat? I am in Southern California and the house does not have air conditioning and I want to make it coolerIt doesn't have any real insulation on its own, but if I put more rocks on it, will that help significantly? I presume that if the roof is not covered sufficiently with the rocks its not going a good jobOtherwise I'd have to remove the current rocks, strip the tar and put insulation on, which could be very hard or very expensivePlease offer me some inputThank you
Insulation does not conduct electricity unless it is wetEven then it is not the insulation just the moisture in itCovering the wire with insulating material is okay.
From what you are describing your house has what they call knob tube wiringIn the case of knob tube wiring you do not want to place insulation anywhere near itKnob Tube needs air space around it to give off heat caused by the resistance in the wire, and if you were to put insulation around or over the wire it would restrict its ability to give off heat and more than likely start a fire.
If your house is so old it uses uninsulated wire using ceramic insulator stand offs, you need to update that wiring ASAP! The wiring itself is a bigger hazard to the house than the insulation touching it would be! Replace it!
An asphalt/gravel roof generally has a lifespan of only 7-10 years, so if yours in 15-20 it might be time for a new roofYou can patch any holes with roof patch (available at Home Depot) and you can buy and add new gravel tooBTW, climbing a ladder with a 20 lb bag of gravel is HARDThe gravel on an asphalt roof is to protect the asphalt from the sun and, yes, to reflect light energy which would otherwise get absorbed by the black tarPutting more gravel in place is a good ideaA better way to keep the house cool is an attic vent or fan; more gravel is not going to change the house temp by very muchYou can ask about those at Home Depot tooI got an attic fan when I reroofed about three years ago, and now I only need the AC a few days a year.
