Lap sealing
Open laps are resealed with seam tape with lap sealant at the edges.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Repair Vernon, NJ
A roofer in Vernon can repair a rubber roof by cleaning and priming the EPDM, then sealing open seams, punctures and torn flashing with rubber cover tape and lap sealant, without the tar patches that damage rubber. Dial (973) 858-1840 to talk with a local roofer about the leak.
Most EPDM leaks come from a short list of problems. Seams are first on the list, especially on older roofs where the sheets were glued together with liquid splice adhesive that dries out and lets the laps peel open. After that, punctures and torn flashing at walls and penetrations cause most leaks.
Shrinkage is a problem specific to rubber roofs. 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.
Avoid one common shortcut before the roofer arrives. Petroleum-based patches attack the rubber and have to be scraped off before a real repair. For now, protect the inside, avoid the roof in wet weather and write down when the leak shows up.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Vernon roofer may also recommend rubber roof installation or flat roof repair.
Dealing with this in Vernon, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-1840 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Vernon.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a rubber roof repair
EPDM repairs depend on surface preparation more than anything else.
Find the leak
The inspection traces the leak from the stain back to seams, flashing and penetrations. Wet insulation under the leak is checked with a moisture meter or a small core.
Prepare the surface
Weathered EPDM is scrubbed with a membrane cleaner to remove dirt, chalking and oxidation. Incompatible old patches come off before anything new goes on.
Apply primer
A rubber primer is applied and given time to dry to the touch. Skipping primer is the most common reason patches peel.
Patching
The patch is laid over the primed area and rolled so it bonds completely. Corners and penetrations use flexible uncured flashing.
Fix the laps
Failed laps are reopened, cleaned and resealed with modern seam tape. Edges of every patch and seam get a bead of lap sealant.
Reflash the walls
Where the rubber has pulled away, the roofer relieves the tension, adds new flashing up the wall and secures it with termination bar. The top of the flashing is fastened and sealed.
What is included
What rubber roof repair covers
Pipe boots
Damaged collars around penetrations are renewed with pre-molded boots or uncured flashing.
Shrinkage repair
Membrane pulling from walls is released and reflashed to stop tears at the perimeter.
Tear repair
Holes and tears are patched with EPDM cover tape that extends past the damage.
Coating
An aged but sound roof can be primed and coated once all leaks are fixed.
Related service
EPDM Roof Repair Vernon, NJ
EPDM roof repair follows a strict sequence: clean, prime, patch, roll and seal. The rubber must be clean and dry, the primer must be scrubbed in and allowed to flash off and the patch must be rolled firmly so it bonds across its whole surface. A bead of lap sealant seals the patch edges.
Weather matters for EPDM repairs in Vernon, since primers and adhesives need dry conditions and mild temperatures to bond. In an emergency, a temporary seal can stop water until conditions allow a proper patch. Temporary seals are not a substitute for a primed patch.
Related service
Rubber Roof Replacement Vernon, NJ
Rubber roof replacement makes sense when repairs are no longer keeping up. Seams failing all over, shrinkage pulling at every wall, a brittle and crazed surface or wet insulation across large areas all point toward a new roof. Testing the insulation helps make the call.
Some owners stay with EPDM, while others move to a white membrane. Recovering may be an option over one dry layer, while wet areas require removal. For a Vernon home, an honest assessment saves money in the long run.
Local help
Rubber Roof Repair Near Me
Rubber roofs in Vernon cover many porch roofs, additions, garages and flat sections on older homes. Homes in Vernon and nearby places including Hamburg, Highland Lakes, Franklin and Oak Ridge get the most from an EPDM roof when seams and flashing are checked every year or two, and early repairs keep the insulation dry.
Need rubber roof repair around Vernon? Call (973) 858-1840 for a Vernon roofer who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects roofs around Vernon
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder 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 Vernon is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Vernon 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.
Rubber Roof Repair questions
What is the right way to patch EPDM?
The surface is cleaned, primed and covered with rubber patch material. After cleaning and priming, a peel-and-stick EPDM patch is applied and rolled. Lap sealant finishes the edges.
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.
Can I use roofing tar on a rubber roof?
Roofing tar and roof cement are not compatible with 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.
What causes EPDM to pull away from the edges?
Shrinkage is the usual cause. Tension builds at walls and edges, and the flashing eventually tears. New flashing and termination bar fix it.
How long does a rubber roof last?
EPDM can last 20 years or more, sometimes much longer. Thickness, installation and maintenance all affect its life. Fixing small problems early protects the rest.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1840
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Installation
EPDM rubber roof installation with the right thickness, attachment method and flashing details, with as few seams as the roof allows.
Learn moreFlat Roof Repair
Flat roof repairs matched to the membrane, whether EPDM, TPO, PVC, modified bitumen or built-up, with the patch made from material that bonds to what is there.
Learn moreRoof Coating
A seamless coating over a sound but weathered roof, after the seams and blisters are repaired.
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 servicesNeed rubber roof repair in Vernon, NJ?
Call (973) 858-1840 to talk to a roofer serving Vernon, NJ.