Edge metal
New edge metal and drain flashings set into the membrane plies.
Flat Roofing
Modified Bitumen Roofing Morristown, NJ
A local roofing contractor in Morristown can handle modified bitumen, whether the sheets are torched, self-adhered or set in cold adhesive, and match the method to the building and its fire risk. Call (862) 363-5004 to reach a local roofer.
Modified bitumen is asphalt with rubber or plastic polymers mixed in, made into reinforced rolls that go down in two or more layers. 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. 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. Note any blisters or bubbles, cracking in the cap sheet, bare spots where granules have washed off and laps that are lifting at the edges. Mention whether the roof has been coated or patched with roofing cement, since that changes how new material will stick.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Morristown roofer may also recommend flat roof replacement or flat roof repair.
Looking for Morristown modified bitumen roofing? Call (862) 363-5004 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.
Inspect the roof
Before planning, the roofer cuts a small sample to see what is underneath and checks for soft decking. That decides between a tear-off and laying new plies over a sound, dry existing roof.
Tear off old roofing
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.
Lay the base sheet
A base sheet is fastened to wood decks or adhered to insulation and cover board. Its laps are staggered from the cap sheet laps to avoid weak lines.
Apply the cap sheet
The top ply goes on with the chosen method, granules facing up for sun protection. At torched laps, a small bead of melted asphalt should show along the edge, a sign the seam has fused.
Flash the walls
Parapets and curbs are flashed with mod bit plies, then capped or counterflashed with metal. New drip edge or gravel stop and properly set drain flashings finish the edges.
Final check
Once the roof is done, the crew checks every lap, cleans up and keeps a fire watch if torches were used. 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 flashing
Two-ply flashing up walls and parapets so wall joints stay dry.
Insulation
New insulation where the roof is torn off to improve drainage and efficiency.
Granulated cap
A granulated cap sheet in white or a dark color that takes foot traffic well.
Base sheet
A smooth reinforced base sheet that gives the roof its first line of defense.
Related service
Torch Down Roof Repair Morristown, NJ
On a torch-down roof, most repairs involve resealing laps, cutting out blisters and adding new plies over damaged areas. Blisters are cut open, dried, resealed and covered with a patch of new cap sheet that laps well beyond the cut. Fresh granules over the hot asphalt help protect the repair.
Repairs near walls, vents or wood trim in Morristown call for careful torch handling. Where a flame could reach wood or insulation, a self-adhered patch is the safer choice. A fire watch after torching is a basic part of any torch-down repair.
Related service
Built Up Roofing Morristown, 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. Bare patches without gravel age quickly in the sun and are often where leaks begin. With age, these roofs blister, crack at the flashings and open at the edges.
Most built up roof repairs in Morristown start by clearing the gravel, then patching with new plies and setting gravel back in place. 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
In Morristown, modified bitumen is common on low-slope roofs that see foot traffic or need a tough surface. Homes and buildings in Morristown and around Cedar Knolls, Morris Plains, Whippany and Madison face summer sun, heavy rain and the occasional strong storm, all of which wear on cap sheets and laps, so the right method depends on what is up there now.
Need modified bitumen roofing around Morristown? Call (862) 363-5004 for a Morristown roofer who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects roofs around Morristown
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 Morristown is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Morristown know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
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. 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 lighter and more flexible, which is why it has replaced built up roofing on many buildings.
Are torch-applied roofs a fire risk?
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.
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.
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. Coating an aging but sound roof can add years.
Should I coat my modified bitumen roof?
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. Reflective coatings keep the roof cooler and slow granule loss.
More questions? Call (862) 363-5004
Related services
Flat Roof Replacement
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, and new flashing at every wall, curb and drain.
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
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, from core cuts to closeout.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet modified bitumen roofing help in Morristown
Call (862) 363-5004 for a local roofer in Morristown and nearby towns.