Wall flashing
Reinforced plies at every wall and curb fastened at the top.
Flat Roofing
Modified Bitumen Roofing New Milford, NJ
A roofer in New Milford can install, repair or replace a modified bitumen roof, the layered asphalt membrane often called torch-down, which holds up well to foot traffic and patches easily. Call (551) 374-2044 to reach 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. Sheets come in SBS, a rubber-modified type that handles cold well, and APP, a plastic-modified type made for torching. The layers give it toughness, which is why it holds up well on roofs that see foot traffic.
How the sheets are applied matters as much as which sheets are used. Torch-down uses an open flame to melt the back of the sheet onto the layer below, which makes strong laps but calls for strict fire safety near wood and insulation. For homes and buildings where open flame is a concern, self-adhered or cold-process sheets are the usual answer.
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. Say whether the roof has been coated or patched before, because old coatings and mastic affect repairs.
Modified Bitumen Roofing is often paired with flat roof replacement and flat roof repair, depending on the cause.
Looking for New Milford modified bitumen roofing? Call (551) 374-2044 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
What a mod bit roof job involves
Here is how a typical modified bitumen job runs.
Survey the existing 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.
Prep the base
Old roofing is removed where needed, rotted decking is replaced and the surface is swept clean. Insulation or a cover board is added, with tapered sections where water needs help reaching the drains.
Install the base ply
A base sheet is fastened to wood decks or adhered to insulation and cover board. The roofer offsets the laps so no seam sits directly over another.
Lay the top ply
The top ply goes on with the chosen method, granules facing up for sun protection. Lap edges are checked for a continuous seal, and loose granules are pressed into any bleed-out.
Flash the details
Parapets and curbs are flashed with mod bit plies, then capped or counterflashed with metal. Drains get new flashing, and the roof edge gets new metal.
Final check
If any torching was done, the crew stays on watch after the flame goes off to make sure nothing is smoldering. The roofer also confirms that drains are clear and the roof sheds water.
What is included
Parts of a modified bitumen roof
Drain flashing
Gravel stop or drip edge at the perimeter set into the membrane plies.
Insulation
Rigid boards with tapered crickets to improve drainage and efficiency.
Granulated cap
A top ply surfaced with mineral granules that takes foot traffic well.
Base ply
The first ply of polymer-modified asphalt laid with laps offset from the cap.
Related service
Torch Down Roof Repair New Milford, 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. Loose granules are embedded in the bleed-out so the patch does not weather quickly.
Torch work on an occupied home in New Milford needs extra care, especially near wood fascia, siding and attic vents. Many roofers switch to self-adhered or cold-applied patches in tight spots where an open flame is a risk. After torching, a watch period for smoldering material is standard practice.
Related service
Built Up Roofing New Milford, 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. These roofs can last a long time, but blisters, splits and failed flashings show up as they age.
Most built up roof repairs in New Milford 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. 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 New Milford, mod bit replaced a lot of old tar and gravel roofs years ago, and many of those are now due for work. Homes and buildings in New Milford and around River Edge, Bergenfield, Dumont and Oradell face summer sun, heavy rain and the occasional strong storm, all of which wear on cap sheets and laps, and the first step is finding out how many layers are already on the deck.
For modified bitumen roofing in New Milford, NJ or nearby towns like River Edge, Bergenfield, Dumont and Oradell, call (551) 374-2044 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
Roofs in this climate
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, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in New Milford is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across New Milford and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Modified Bitumen Roofing FAQ
How does mod bit compare to tar and gravel?
Both are asphalt roofs built in layers, but they are made differently. Built up roofs stack felts and hot bitumen with gravel on top, and mod bit uses two or three factory-made sheets with granules. Mod bit is often preferred today for its flexibility and lower weight.
How long does a modified bitumen roof last?
Expect roughly 15 to 25 years from a well-installed modified bitumen roof. Roofs that drain well and keep their granules last longest. Coating an aging but sound roof can add years.
Is torch-down roofing safe?
Torching uses an open flame, so it carries a real fire risk that has to be managed. 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. Self-adhered sheets give the same kind of roof without a torch.
Can modified bitumen be installed over an existing roof?
What is already up there sets the answer. A single existing roof that is dry and well attached can sometimes be recovered. If there are already two roofs, blistering throughout or wet insulation, a tear-off is the right move.
Can a mod bit roof be coated?
Coating an aging cap sheet is a common way to add years to a mod bit roof. Loose granules are cleaned off, blisters and open laps are repaired and a primer may be needed to keep asphalt from bleeding through. White coatings reflect sun, which helps the asphalt last.
More questions? Call (551) 374-2044
Often needed together
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
TPO membrane roofs installed over new insulation or in place of a worn flat roof, sized to the deck, the drains and the way the roof is used.
Learn moreCommercial Roof Replacement
Tear-off or recover of aging commercial roofs with new insulation and drainage, planned around rooftop units and drains.
Learn more
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