Base flashing
Reinforced plies at every wall and curb where most flat roof leaks start.
Flat Roofing
Modified Bitumen Roofing Summit, NJ
A local roofing contractor in Summit can handle modified bitumen, whether the sheets are torched, self-adhered or set in cold adhesive, after checking the deck, the drainage and what is left of the old roof. One call to (908) 679-5768 reaches a nearby flat roof pro.
A modified bitumen roof is built from rolls of polymer-modified asphalt, typically a smooth base sheet under a cap sheet surfaced with granules. 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. The layers give it toughness, which is why it holds up well on roofs that see foot traffic.
There are several ways to put down mod bit, and each suits different buildings. Torch-applied sheets fuse tightly at the laps, though the open flame demands care around wood framing, insulation and roof edges. Self-adhered and cold-adhesive systems avoid the flame and are often chosen for homes and occupied buildings.
A few details help the roofer plan. Look for blisters, splits, granule loss and seams that curl up at the edge, and note where water stands after rain. Also mention any past coatings or cement patches, which the roofer will need to deal with.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Summit roofer may also recommend flat roof replacement or flat roof repair.
Looking for Summit modified bitumen roofing? Call (908) 679-5768 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
The modified bitumen process
A mod bit roof goes on in layers, starting with a sound base.
Inspect the roof
A core cut and a walk of the roof show how many layers exist and whether moisture is trapped. With two roofs already in place or wet insulation present, a tear-off is the norm.
Ready the substrate
On a tear-off, everything comes down to the deck and damaged plywood or planks are replaced. Rigid insulation and tapered crickets go down next to improve drainage.
Install the base ply
A smooth base sheet goes down first, fastened or adhered depending on the deck. 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. At torched laps, a small bead of melted asphalt should show along the edge, a sign the seam has fused.
Flash the details
Walls, curbs and penetrations get reinforced flashing plies that run up and are capped with metal. New drip edge or gravel stop and properly set drain flashings finish the edges.
Walk the finished roof
After torch work, a fire watch confirms no hidden heat remains in insulation or wood. A final walk checks laps, flashings and drainage.
What is included
What a mod bit roof includes
Drain flashing
New edge metal and drain flashings set into the membrane plies.
Cap sheet
The finished top layer with protective granules with fully sealed laps.
Base sheet
The first ply of polymer-modified asphalt over a clean, sound deck.
Insulation
New insulation where the roof is torn off built to current code levels.
Related service
Torch Down Roof Repair Summit, 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 Summit, 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. After torching, a watch period for smoldering material is standard practice.
Related service
Built Up Roofing Summit, NJ
Built up roofing stacks three or more plies of felt and bitumen into a thick, heavy membrane, finished with a layer of 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. They are durable, but they show their age at the flashings and in blistered or bare areas.
Most built up roof repairs in Summit start by clearing the gravel, then patching with new plies and setting gravel back in place. When a built up roof reaches the end of its life, its weight and the gravel usually mean a tear-off before the new roof goes on. Many are replaced with modified bitumen, TPO or another single-ply system.
Local help
Modified Bitumen Roofing Near Me
Around Summit, mod bit replaced a lot of old tar and gravel roofs years ago, and many of those are now due for work. From Summit out to Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills, 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 Summit or Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills? Call (908) 679-5768 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a roof
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. 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. That is why roof repair in Summit is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Summit and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about modified bitumen roofing
How long does a modified bitumen roof last?
Most mod bit roofs last somewhere between 15 and 25 years with reasonable care. Roofs that drain well and keep their granules last longest. A reflective coating applied before the cap sheet wears out can extend its life.
What is the difference between modified bitumen and built up roofing?
Both are asphalt roofs built in layers, but they are made differently. 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. Mod bit is often preferred today for its flexibility and lower weight.
Can a mod bit roof be coated?
Coating an aging cap sheet is a common way to add years to a mod bit roof. The roof is cleaned, repaired and often primed so asphalt oils do not stain the coating. Reflective coatings keep the roof cooler and slow granule loss.
Is torch-down roofing safe?
The open flame is the main concern with torch-down roofing. Experienced roofers avoid torching directly on wood decks or near combustible edges, fasten the base sheet over wood instead of torching it, and keep a fire watch after the work. Where flame is a concern, peel-and-stick sheets are a common alternative.
Can modified bitumen be installed over an existing roof?
What is already up there sets the answer. If there is a single, dry, sound roof, a recovery board and new mod bit may go over it. If there are already two roofs, blistering throughout or wet insulation, a tear-off is the right move.
More questions? Call (908) 679-5768
Related services
Flat Roof Replacement
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, with tapered insulation where water used to sit.
Learn moreFlat Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, blisters, splits, ponding and failed flashing on flat and low slope roofs, after the real leak source is found, not guessed.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, 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 Summit
Call (908) 679-5768 for a local roofer in Summit and nearby towns.