Shrinkage repair
Membrane pulling from walls is released and reflashed to stop tears at the perimeter.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Repair Fanwood, NJ
A Fanwood roofer who works on EPDM can fix peeling seams, punctures, blisters and membrane shrinkage at walls and curbs, without the tar patches that damage rubber. Call (908) 663-5020 to reach a local roofer.
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. Punctures and failed flashing at walls, curbs and vents round out the usual causes.
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. Repairing shrinkage means relieving the strain and reflashing, not smearing sealant on the split.
One mistake makes rubber roof repair much harder. Tar and asphalt products damage EPDM and leave a surface that proper patches cannot stick to. In the meantime, catch drips in a bucket and keep off a wet, slippery roof.
Depending on what the roofer finds, rubber roof repair in Fanwood, NJ can go hand in hand with rubber roof installation and flat roof repair.
Looking for Fanwood rubber roof repair? Call (908) 663-5020 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof repair works
Here is how a roofer usually handles a rubber roof repair.
Inspect the roof
The roofer checks every seam, flashing detail, pipe boot and the roof edge, probing laps for loose spots. The roofer also checks whether water has soaked the insulation underneath.
Surface prep
The repair area is cleaned thoroughly, because dirt and chalky residue keep patches from bonding. Incompatible old patches come off before anything new goes on.
Prime the area
EPDM primer is scrubbed into the surface and allowed to flash off until it is tacky but not wet. Primer turns old, weathered rubber into a surface that tape can grip.
Patching
Peel-and-stick EPDM cover tape or a cured patch is cut with rounded corners, pressed down and rolled firmly with a seam roller. Uncured flashing is used around pipes and corners because it stretches to fit.
Reseal the seams
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
Shrunk membrane at walls and curbs is released and reflashed with new rubber. The top of the flashing is fastened and sealed.
What is included
Common EPDM repairs
Surface renewal
A rubber-compatible coating can follow repairs after proper priming.
Puncture repair
Punctures get a primed rubber patch with rounded corners.
Penetration flashing
Pipes and vents get new rubber flashing sealed at the base.
Lap sealing
Open laps are resealed with seam tape so they stay closed.
Related service
EPDM Roof Repair Fanwood, NJ
EPDM roof repair follows a strict sequence: clean, prime, patch, roll and seal. A clean, dry surface, a properly dried primer and a firmly rolled patch are what make an EPDM repair hold. Edges then get lap sealant for extra protection.
Weather matters for EPDM repairs in Fanwood, since primers and adhesives need dry conditions and mild temperatures to bond. If a leak cannot wait, a temporary fix holds until a permanent repair is possible. Temporary seals are not a substitute for a primed patch.
Related service
Rubber Roof Replacement Fanwood, 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. Testing the insulation helps make the call.
Replacement options include new EPDM or a heat-welded membrane like TPO. A tear-off is needed if the insulation is wet or there are already two layers. In Fanwood, ask for both options so you can compare.
Local help
Rubber Roof Repair Near Me
Rubber roofs in Fanwood cover many porch roofs, additions, garages and flat sections on older homes. Homes in Fanwood and nearby places including Westfield, Plainfield, Watchung and Mountainside get the most from an EPDM roof when seams and flashing are checked every year or two, which keeps small leaks from becoming big ones.
For rubber roof repair in Fanwood, NJ or nearby towns like Westfield, Plainfield, Watchung and Mountainside, call (908) 663-5020 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
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, 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 Fanwood is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Fanwood 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?
A proper EPDM patch is a cleaned, primed and rolled repair. Cover tape with rounded corners goes over primed rubber and is rolled for a full bond. Lap sealant finishes the edges.
Why is my rubber roof pulling away from the wall?
Shrinkage is the usual cause. As it shrinks, it pulls on the flashing, stretches across inside corners and can tear at the wall. New flashing and termination bar fix it.
Can a rubber roof be coated?
Coating is an option for a sound EPDM roof. Seams and leaks must be fixed, and the right primer is essential. A coating is not a fix for an active leak.
What is the lifespan of an EPDM roof?
A well installed EPDM roof commonly lasts 20 to 30 years. Roofs with good drainage and maintained seams last longest. Repairs keep it on track.
Can I use roofing tar on a rubber roof?
Roofing tar and roof cement are not compatible with EPDM. The petroleum in them breaks down rubber and blocks real patches from sticking. The right fix is a primed EPDM patch.
More questions? Call (908) 663-5020
Related services
Rubber Roof Installation
EPDM rubber roof installation with the right thickness, attachment method and flashing details, planned around the slope and the building.
Learn moreFlat Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, blisters, splits, ponding and failed flashing on flat and low slope roofs, so the roof sheds water again without a full replacement.
Learn moreRoof Coating
Silicone, acrylic and other liquid coatings that renew aging flat, low-slope and metal roofs, as an option before a full tear-off.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Leak repairs that fix the entry point, not just the ceiling stain, before wet decking and insulation turn into rot.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof repair in Fanwood, NJ?
Call (908) 663-5020 for a local roofer in Fanwood and nearby towns.