Tapered insulation
New insulation where the roof is torn off so water reaches the drains.
Flat Roofing
Modified Bitumen Roofing Secaucus, NJ
Modified bitumen roofing in Secaucus is a multi-ply asphalt roof, usually a base sheet and a granulated cap sheet, used on flat and low-slope roofs, and match the method to the building and its fire risk. Call (551) 373-3020 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. 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.
The application method is one of the first decisions on a modified bitumen job. Torching gives tight, fused laps, but the flame is a fire risk near wood decks, parapets and anything combustible. Self-adhered and cold-adhesive systems avoid the flame and are often chosen for homes and occupied buildings.
Mod bit fails in predictable ways, which helps when you call. 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.
Modified Bitumen Roofing is often paired with flat roof replacement and flat roof repair, depending on the cause.
Need modified bitumen roofing in Secaucus? Call (551) 373-3020 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
How a modified bitumen roof is installed
Here is how a typical modified bitumen job runs.
Start with the deck
A core cut and a walk of the roof show how many layers exist and whether moisture is trapped. That decides between a tear-off and laying new plies over a sound, dry existing roof.
Prep the base
The deck is stripped, repaired and cleaned so the new layers lie flat. 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. On torched laps, a steady bleed-out of asphalt at the edge shows a good seal.
Flash the walls
Walls, curbs and penetrations get reinforced flashing plies that run up and are capped with metal. Edge metal, drain flashing and pipe flashings complete the system.
Keep a fire watch
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
Cap sheet
A top ply surfaced with mineral granules with fully sealed laps.
Base flashing
Two-ply flashing up walls and parapets where most flat roof leaks start.
Base sheet
The first ply of polymer-modified asphalt that gives the roof its first line of defense.
Edge metal
Gravel stop or drip edge at the perimeter set into the membrane plies.
Related service
Torch Down Roof Repair Secaucus, NJ
Torch down roof repair fixes the leaks that develop in torch-applied modified bitumen: open laps, blisters, splits and failed wall flashing. A blister is cut in an X or cut out, the area is dried and sealed, and a new piece of cap sheet goes over it. Loose granules are embedded in the bleed-out so the patch does not weather quickly.
Torch work on an occupied home in Secaucus 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. A fire watch after torching is a basic part of any torch-down repair.
Related service
Built Up Roofing Secaucus, 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. When the gravel thins out, the asphalt below dries, cracks and blisters. They are durable, but they show their age at the flashings and in blistered or bare areas.
Repairs on a built up roof in Secaucus usually involve scraping back the gravel, patching with felt and bitumen or modified bitumen, and replacing the gravel. Replacement often means a tear-off, since the gravel and the weight make recovering difficult. Common replacements include modified bitumen and single-ply membranes.
Local help
Modified Bitumen Roofing Near Me
In Secaucus, modified bitumen is common on low-slope roofs that see foot traffic or need a tough surface. Across Secaucus and nearby towns like Union City, East Rutherford, West New York and North Arlington, older buildings may still have built-up roofs under a layer of mod bit, which is why the core cut matters, and the first step is finding out how many layers are already on the deck.
For modified bitumen roofing in Secaucus, NJ or nearby towns like Union City, East Rutherford, West New York and North Arlington, call (551) 373-3020 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. Most homeowners in Secaucus, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Secaucus know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about modified bitumen roofing
Can a mod bit roof be coated?
Modified bitumen takes coatings well when the cap sheet is sound and the roof drains. The roof is cleaned, repaired and often primed so asphalt oils do not stain the coating. A white coating also lowers roof surface temperatures in summer.
Are torch-applied roofs a fire risk?
The open flame is the main concern with torch-down roofing. Good crews fasten the base sheet on wood decks, keep the flame away from edges and gaps and stay on fire watch afterward. Self-adhered sheets give the same kind of roof without a torch.
Do I need a tear-off for a new mod bit roof?
What is already up there sets the answer. A single existing roof that is dry and well attached can sometimes be recovered. Two existing roofs, wet insulation or widespread blistering call for a full tear-off.
How long does a modified bitumen roof last?
A two-ply modified bitumen roof commonly lasts around 15 to 25 years. Drainage and the condition of the cap sheet granules make the biggest difference. A reflective coating applied before the cap sheet wears out can extend its life.
How does mod bit compare to tar and gravel?
Both are asphalt roofs built in layers, but they are made differently. Mod bit replaces the many felts of a built up roof with a few thick polymer sheets, and it skips the gravel. The polymer sheets stay flexible in cold and are easier to repair.
More questions? Call (551) 373-3020
Other services that may help
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
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
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, built around proper drainage, flashing and edge metal.
Learn moreCommercial Roof Replacement
Full replacement of membrane, built-up and metal roofs on commercial buildings, from core cuts to closeout.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Secaucus roofer about modified bitumen roofing
Call (551) 373-3020 for a local roofer in Secaucus and nearby towns.