Wall flashing
Reinforced plies at every wall and curb fastened at the top.
Flat Roofing
Modified Bitumen Roofing Hillside, NJ
Modified bitumen roofing in Hillside 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. Dial (908) 562-6893 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. 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-applied sheets fuse tightly at the laps, though the open flame demands care around wood framing, insulation and roof edges. For homes and buildings where open flame is a concern, self-adhered or cold-process sheets are the usual answer.
Knowing the signs makes the first conversation more useful. Watch for raised blisters, alligator cracking, bare patches and open laps, especially near walls and drains. Mention whether the roof has been coated or patched with roofing cement, since that changes how new material will stick.
Modified Bitumen Roofing is often paired with flat roof replacement and flat roof repair, depending on the cause.
Need modified bitumen roofing in Hillside? Call (908) 562-6893 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
What a mod bit roof job involves
A mod bit roof goes on in layers, starting with a sound base.
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. Rigid insulation and tapered crickets go down next to improve drainage.
Put down the first layer
A smooth base sheet goes down first, fastened or adhered depending on the deck. Its laps are staggered from the cap sheet laps to avoid weak lines.
Install the cap
A cap sheet with mineral granules is applied over the base sheet. Lap edges are checked for a continuous seal, and loose granules are pressed into any bleed-out.
Detail the edges
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
After torch work, a fire watch confirms no hidden heat remains in insulation or wood. The last step is a full walk to confirm laps and flashings are sealed.
What is included
What goes into a mod bit roof
Base sheet
A smooth reinforced base sheet that gives the roof its first line of defense.
Edge metal
New edge metal and drain flashings set into the membrane plies.
Insulation
Insulation and cover board built to current code levels.
Granulated cap
A granulated cap sheet in white or a dark color to shield the asphalt from sun.
Related service
Torch Down Roof Repair Hillside, NJ
Repairing a torch-down roof usually means cutting out the bad section and fusing new modified bitumen over it. 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.
Repairs near walls, vents or wood trim in Hillside call for careful torch handling. 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 Hillside, NJ
A built up roof is made of several plies of felt mopped together with hot asphalt or coal tar pitch, then flood-coated and covered 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.
Repairs on a built up roof in Hillside usually involve scraping back the gravel, patching with felt and bitumen or modified bitumen, and replacing the gravel. 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. Common replacements include modified bitumen and single-ply membranes.
Local help
Modified Bitumen Roofing Near Me
Modified bitumen roofs in Hillside cover everything from older homes with flat sections to strip centers and churches. Across Hillside and nearby towns like Union, Elizabeth, Roselle Park and Vauxhall, 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 Hillside, NJ or nearby towns like Union, Elizabeth, Roselle Park and Vauxhall, call (908) 562-6893 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Hillside
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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Hillside is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Hillside know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about modified bitumen roofing
What is the lifespan of a torch-down roof?
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. Some owners extend the roof with a coating once granules start to thin.
Should I coat my modified bitumen roof?
Modified bitumen takes coatings well when the cap sheet is sound and the roof drains. Before coating, the roofer repairs blisters and laps and may use a bleed-blocking primer. A white coating also lowers roof surface temperatures in summer.
Do I need a tear-off for a new mod bit roof?
The existing roof decides that. One dry existing roof can often stay in place under a cover board. Two existing roofs, wet insulation or widespread blistering call for a full tear-off.
Are torch-applied roofs a fire risk?
Fire risk with torch-down comes from the flame during installation, not the finished roof. Good crews fasten the base sheet on wood decks, keep the flame away from edges and gaps and stay on fire watch afterward. On homes, self-adhered or cold-applied modified bitumen avoids the flame entirely.
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. Mod bit is often preferred today for its flexibility and lower weight.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6893
Related services
Flat Roof Replacement
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, 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
White, heat-welded TPO single-ply roofing for low-slope homes and buildings, sized to the deck, the drains and the way the roof is used.
Learn moreCommercial Roof Replacement
Full replacement of membrane, built-up and metal roofs on commercial buildings, with nightly tie-ins to keep the building dry.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet modified bitumen roofing help in Hillside
Call (908) 562-6893 for a local roofer in Hillside and nearby towns.