Shrinkage repair
Membrane pulling from walls is released and reflashed so the roof can move.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Repair Newton, NJ
Most leaking rubber roofs in Newton can be repaired, since EPDM patches bond well when the surface is cleaned and primed properly, so the roof stays watertight for more seasons. Dial (973) 858-9950 to talk with a local roofer about the leak.
Most EPDM leaks come from a short list of problems. Seams lead the list, since older EPDM roofs were often seamed with liquid adhesive that breaks down over time. Next come punctures from foot traffic, branches or dropped tools, and flashing that tears where the membrane meets walls, curbs and pipes.
Over time, EPDM slowly shrinks, and that causes its own kind of damage. The membrane pulls away from walls and corners as it shrinks, stretching the flashing until it splits. The fix is releasing the tension and adding new flashing, not just caulking the gap.
Please do not reach for a can of tar. Petroleum-based patches attack the rubber and have to be scraped off before a real repair. In the meantime, catch drips in a bucket and keep off a wet, slippery roof.
Many rubber roof repair calls in Newton also turn up a need for rubber roof installation or flat roof repair.
Dealing with this in Newton, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-9950 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Newton.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof repair works
EPDM repairs depend on surface preparation more than anything else.
Inspect the roof
The inspection traces the leak from the stain back to seams, flashing and penetrations. The roofer also checks whether water has soaked the insulation underneath.
Prepare the surface
Old rubber is washed and scrubbed until the surface is clean and dry. Earlier tar repairs are cut away.
Apply primer
Primer goes on in a thin, even coat over the cleaned area. Skipping primer is the most common reason patches peel.
Apply the patch
The patch is laid over the primed area and rolled so it bonds completely. Corners and penetrations use flexible uncured flashing.
Seam repair
Open seams are cleaned, primed and covered with seam tape or a cover strip along their full length. Lap sealant is applied along exposed edges and T-joints.
Fix shrinkage
Where the rubber has pulled away, the roofer relieves the tension, adds new flashing up the wall and secures it with termination bar. New termination bar and counter flashing keep the top edge sealed.
What is included
What rubber roof repair covers
Penetration flashing
Cracked pipe boots and vent flashing are replaced for a tight seal.
Coating
An aged but sound roof can be primed and coated after proper priming.
Puncture repair
Damaged rubber is covered with new membrane with rounded corners.
Lap sealing
Open laps are resealed with seam tape so they stay closed.
Related service
EPDM Roof Repair Newton, NJ
Every EPDM repair depends on the same steps, done in order. A clean, dry surface, a properly dried primer and a firmly rolled patch are what make an EPDM repair hold. Lap sealant finishes the edges.
A Newton roofer will time EPDM repairs for dry weather, because moisture ruins the bond. If a leak cannot wait, a temporary fix holds until a permanent repair is possible. A proper patch should follow as soon as possible.
Related service
Rubber Roof Replacement Newton, NJ
There comes a point where patching an EPDM roof stops being worth it. Widespread seam failure, heavy shrinkage, cracking rubber or soaked insulation are signs replacement is due. A moisture survey helps decide.
Replacement options include new EPDM or a heat-welded membrane like TPO. Recovering may be an option over one dry layer, while wet areas require removal. Ask the Newton roofer to compare repair and replacement for your roof.
Local help
Rubber Roof Repair Near Me
Around Newton, rubber roofing is found on additions, carports and flat roofs that have been in place for years. Homes in Newton and nearby places including Andover, Hopatcong, Allamuchy and Franklin get the most from an EPDM roof when seams and flashing are checked every year or two, so a check after big storms is worth it.
For rubber roof repair in Newton, NJ or nearby towns like Andover, Hopatcong, Allamuchy and Franklin, call (973) 858-9950 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Newton
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder 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 Newton 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 Newton and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Rubber Roof Repair questions
How is a rubber roof patched?
The process is clean, prime, patch and roll. After cleaning and priming, a peel-and-stick EPDM patch is applied and rolled. The edges get lap sealant.
Should I coat my EPDM roof?
Coatings can work on rubber roofs with proper prep. Seams and leaks must be fixed, and the right primer is essential. Wet insulation has to be replaced first.
How long does a rubber roof last?
A well installed EPDM roof commonly lasts 20 to 30 years. Roofs with good drainage and maintained seams last longest. Timely repairs to seams and flashing help it get there.
Why is my rubber roof pulling away from the wall?
Aging rubber contracts over time. The shrinking membrane tugs at the perimeter and bridges across corners. Repairs release the strain and reflash the wall.
Can I use roofing tar on a rubber roof?
Tar and asphalt roof cement should never go on EPDM. Their solvents soften and swell the rubber, and they leave a surface that proper EPDM patches cannot bond to. The right fix is a primed EPDM patch.
More questions? Call (973) 858-9950
Related services
Rubber Roof Installation
Installing rubber roofing on flat and low slope roofs, from adhesive and seam tape to wall flashing and edge metal, so the roof stays flexible and watertight for decades.
Learn moreFlat Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, blisters, splits, ponding and failed flashing on flat and low slope roofs, with the patch made from material that bonds to what is there.
Learn moreRoof Coating
Liquid-applied roof coatings that seal seams, reflect heat and add years to a roof, when the roof underneath is still dry and solid.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Finding where water gets through the roof and sealing it at the source, before wet decking and insulation turn into rot.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet rubber roof repair help in Newton
Call (973) 858-9950 to talk to a roofer serving Newton, NJ.