Base flashing
Two-ply flashing up walls and parapets so wall joints stay dry.
Flat Roofing
Modified Bitumen Roofing Butler, NJ
A roofer in Butler can install, repair or replace a modified bitumen roof, the layered asphalt membrane often called torch-down, after checking the deck, the drainage and what is left of the old roof. Dial (862) 356-0005 to talk through modified bitumen with a local roofer.
Modified bitumen, often shortened to mod bit, is the modern descendant of the old tar and gravel roof, with polymers added so the asphalt stays flexible. The two main types are SBS, which is rubbery and flexible in cold weather, and APP, which is more plastic-like and is usually torched. Multiple plies make a tough roof that tolerates foot traffic better than many single-ply sheets.
There are several ways to put down mod bit, and each suits different buildings. Torching gives tight, fused laps, but the flame is a fire risk near wood decks, parapets and anything combustible. Self-adhered peel-and-stick sheets and cold-applied adhesives skip the torch, which makes them common on houses.
Mod bit fails in predictable ways, which helps when you call. Watch for raised blisters, alligator cracking, bare patches and open laps, especially near walls and drains. Also mention any past coatings or cement patches, which the roofer will need to deal with.
Depending on what the roofer finds, modified bitumen roofing in Butler, NJ can go hand in hand with flat roof replacement and flat roof repair.
Dealing with this in Butler, NJ right now? Call (862) 356-0005 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How a modified bitumen roof is installed
Here is how a typical modified bitumen job runs.
Inspect the roof
A core cut and a walk of the roof show how many layers exist and whether moisture is trapped. Those findings decide whether the old roof must come off.
Tear off old roofing
The deck is stripped, repaired and cleaned so the new layers lie flat. Rigid insulation and tapered crickets go down next to improve drainage.
Put down the first layer
A base sheet is fastened to wood decks or adhered to insulation and cover board. Laps are offset so seams in the cap sheet do not land on seams below.
Apply the cap sheet
The granulated cap sheet is torched, set in cold adhesive or self-adhered over the base. Lap edges are checked for a continuous seal, and loose granules are pressed into any bleed-out.
Flash the walls
Base flashing runs up walls and parapets in two plies and is fastened at the top under metal counterflashing or a termination bar. New drip edge or gravel stop and properly set drain flashings finish the edges.
Keep a fire watch
Once the roof is done, the crew checks every lap, cleans up and keeps a fire watch if torches were used. A final walk checks laps, flashings and drainage.
What is included
Parts of a modified bitumen roof
Base sheet
A fastened or adhered base layer over a clean, sound deck.
Tapered insulation
Rigid boards with tapered crickets built to current code levels.
Drain flashing
New edge metal and drain flashings to finish the system cleanly.
Cap sheet
A top ply surfaced with mineral granules to shield the asphalt from sun.
Related service
Torch Down Roof Repair Butler, NJ
Torch down roof repair fixes the leaks that develop in torch-applied modified bitumen: open laps, blisters, splits and failed wall flashing. Blisters are cut open, dried, resealed and covered with a patch of new cap sheet that laps well beyond the cut. Granules are pressed into any exposed asphalt so the patch is protected from sun.
In Butler, many torch-down repairs sit close to wood framing, so fire safety is part of every job. Near combustible materials, a cold-process or peel-and-stick patch can replace torching. A fire watch after torching is a basic part of any torch-down repair.
Related service
Built Up Roofing Butler, NJ
Built up roofing, often called tar and gravel, is the older cousin of modified bitumen: alternating layers of roofing felt and hot asphalt or coal tar, topped with gravel. The gravel protects the bitumen from sun and foot traffic, so bare spots where it has blown or washed away are a common source of trouble. These roofs can last a long time, but blisters, splits and failed flashings show up as they age.
For Butler buildings with built up roofs, patching is done with felts or mod bit after the gravel is cleared. Replacement often means a tear-off, since the gravel and the weight make recovering difficult. The replacement is often a mod bit or single-ply roof that is lighter and easier to maintain.
Local help
Modified Bitumen Roofing Near Me
Around Butler, mod bit replaced a lot of old tar and gravel roofs years ago, and many of those are now due for work. From Butler out to Riverdale, Bloomingdale, Pompton Plains and Pompton Lakes, roofs range from aging two-ply systems with worn granules to newer self-adhered roofs on additions, and the first step is finding out how many layers are already on the deck.
Searching for modified bitumen roofing near me from Butler or Riverdale, Bloomingdale, Pompton Plains and Pompton Lakes? Call (862) 356-0005 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a roof
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Butler, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Butler
Roofers in Butler know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Modified Bitumen Roofing FAQ
Should I coat my modified bitumen roof?
A coating can extend a modified bitumen roof that is aging but still dry and sound. Loose granules are cleaned off, blisters and open laps are repaired and a primer may be needed to keep asphalt from bleeding through. Reflective coatings keep the roof cooler and slow granule loss.
How long does a modified bitumen roof last?
Expect roughly 15 to 25 years from a well-installed modified bitumen roof. Drainage and the condition of the cap sheet granules make the biggest difference. Coating an aging but sound roof can add years.
Do I need a tear-off for a new mod bit roof?
The core cut tells the roofer. A single existing roof that is dry and well attached can sometimes be recovered. Trapped moisture or two existing layers mean the old roofing comes off.
How does mod bit compare to tar and gravel?
Both use asphalt, but the plies and surfacing differ. Built up roofing uses many plies of felt mopped with hot asphalt or coal tar and is topped with gravel, while modified bitumen uses fewer, thicker polymer-modified sheets with a granulated cap. The polymer sheets stay flexible in cold and are easier to repair.
Is torch-down roofing safe?
The open flame is the main concern with torch-down roofing. Safe practice includes not torching directly on wood, keeping extinguishers on the roof and watching for smoldering after the flame is off. Where flame is a concern, peel-and-stick sheets are a common alternative.
More questions? Call (862) 356-0005
Often needed together
Flat Roof Replacement
Tearing off or recovering a worn flat roof and installing a new membrane, insulation and edge metal, so ponding and repeat leaks end for good.
Learn moreFlat Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking flat roofs, from punctures and seams to clogged drains and wet insulation, so the roof sheds water again without a full replacement.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
TPO membrane roofs installed over new insulation or in place of a worn flat roof, with seams welded into one watertight sheet.
Learn moreCommercial Roof Replacement
Commercial roof replacement phased around tenants and business hours, with nightly tie-ins to keep the building dry.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet modified bitumen roofing help in Butler
Call (862) 356-0005 to talk to a roofer serving Butler, NJ.