Coating
A rubber-compatible coating can follow repairs to add years to the roof.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Repair Cliffside Park, NJ
Most leaking rubber roofs in Cliffside Park can be repaired, since EPDM patches bond well when the surface is cleaned and primed properly, without the tar patches that damage rubber. Dial (551) 378-0042 to talk with a local roofer about the leak.
A rubber roof is tough, but its weak points are well known. Seams lead the list, since older EPDM roofs were often seamed with liquid adhesive that breaks down over time. After that, punctures and torn flashing at walls and penetrations cause most leaks.
EPDM also shrinks as it ages. As the sheet contracts, it pulls on the flashing at walls and edges, lifts the membrane off inside corners and can tear the rubber where it bridges between the roof and the wall. Repairing shrinkage means relieving the strain and reflashing, not smearing sealant on the split.
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. Instead, catch drips inside, stay off the roof when it is wet and note where stains appear.
Rubber Roof Repair is often paired with rubber roof installation and flat roof repair, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Cliffside Park, NJ right now? Call (551) 378-0042 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Cliffside Park.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof repair works
EPDM repairs depend on surface preparation more than anything else.
Find the leak
The roofer checks every seam, flashing detail, pipe boot and the roof edge, probing laps for loose spots. If insulation is wet, it is cut out and replaced before patching.
Clean the rubber
The repair area is cleaned thoroughly, because dirt and chalky residue keep patches from bonding. Earlier tar repairs are cut away.
Apply primer
A rubber primer is applied and given time to dry to the touch. Primer turns old, weathered rubber into a surface that tape can grip.
Apply the patch
The patch is laid over the primed area and rolled so it bonds completely. Odd shapes like pipe bases and inside corners get uncured flashing.
Fix the laps
Failed laps are reopened, cleaned and resealed with modern seam tape. Lap sealant is applied along exposed edges and T-joints.
Fix shrinkage
Shrunk membrane at walls and curbs is released and reflashed with new rubber. New termination bar and counter flashing keep the top edge sealed.
What is included
What rubber roof repair covers
Tear repair
Damaged rubber is covered with new membrane rolled for a full bond.
Shrinkage repair
Shrunk edges get new flashing so the roof can move.
Pipe boots
Damaged collars around penetrations are renewed sealed at the base.
Seam repair
Failed seams get a new cover strip with lap sealant at the edges.
Related service
EPDM Roof Repair Cliffside Park, NJ
Repairing EPDM is simple in concept but unforgiving of shortcuts. Dirt, moisture or skipped primer are the usual reasons an EPDM patch fails. Lap sealant finishes the edges.
Weather matters for EPDM repairs in Cliffside Park, 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. The permanent repair should still follow the full process.
Related service
Rubber Roof Replacement Cliffside Park, NJ
There comes a point where patching an EPDM roof stops being worth it. If the roof has many patches and still leaks, or the insulation is wet in many places, replacement is the better choice. Testing the insulation helps make the call.
Replacement options include new EPDM or a heat-welded membrane like TPO. If the existing roof is a single layer with dry insulation, a recover may be possible, but wet insulation means a tear-off. For a Cliffside Park home, an honest assessment saves money in the long run.
Local help
Rubber Roof Repair Near Me
Rubber roofs in Cliffside Park cover many porch roofs, additions, garages and flat sections on older homes. Homes in Cliffside Park and nearby places including Edgewater, Fairview, Ridgefield and Palisades Park get the most from an EPDM roof when seams and flashing are checked every year or two, and early repairs keep the insulation dry.
For rubber roof repair in Cliffside Park, NJ or nearby towns like Edgewater, Fairview, Ridgefield and Palisades Park, call (551) 378-0042 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. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Cliffside Park 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 Cliffside Park and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
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. Edges are sealed with lap sealant.
Should I coat my EPDM roof?
A coating can extend the life of aging EPDM. The roof must be repaired first, cleaned and primed with an EPDM-compatible primer before an acrylic or silicone coating goes on. Wet insulation has to be replaced first.
Why is my rubber roof pulling away from the wall?
Aging rubber contracts over time. Tension builds at walls and edges, and the flashing eventually tears. The fix is relieving the tension and adding new flashing.
Is roof cement safe for an EPDM roof?
Roofing tar and roof cement are not compatible with EPDM. The petroleum in them breaks down rubber and blocks real patches from sticking. Use primer, EPDM cover tape and lap sealant instead.
What is the lifespan of an EPDM roof?
EPDM can last 20 years or more, sometimes much longer. Thickness, installation and maintenance all affect its life. Timely repairs to seams and flashing help it get there.
More questions? Call (551) 378-0042
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Installation
New EPDM rubber roofs laid in wide sheets over insulation and a cover board, with primed and taped seams, 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, so the roof sheds water again without a full replacement.
Learn moreRoof Coating
Liquid-applied roof coatings that seal seams, reflect heat and add years to a 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, so the stain on the ceiling stops growing.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Cliffside Park roofer about rubber roof repair
Call (551) 378-0042 for a local roofer in Cliffside Park and nearby towns.