Shrinkage repair
Stretched corners are cut free and patched to stop tears at the perimeter.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Repair Maplewood, NJ
A Maplewood roofer who works on EPDM can fix peeling seams, punctures, blisters and membrane shrinkage at walls and curbs, so the roof stays watertight for more seasons. Dial (973) 858-1830 to talk with a local roofer about the leak.
A rubber roof is tough, but its weak points are well known. 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.
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.
One mistake makes rubber roof repair much harder. 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.
Many rubber roof repair calls in Maplewood also turn up a need for rubber roof installation or flat roof repair.
Need rubber roof repair in Maplewood? Call (973) 858-1830 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Maplewood.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof repair works
A rubber patch is only as good as the cleaning and priming under it.
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.
Clean the rubber
Old rubber is washed and scrubbed until the surface is clean and dry. Earlier tar repairs are cut away.
Priming
Primer goes on in a thin, even coat over the cleaned area. This step is what lets the patch bond chemically to aged rubber.
Seal the damage
The patch is laid over the primed area and rolled so it bonds completely. Uncured flashing is used around pipes and corners because it stretches to fit.
Fix the laps
Open seams are cleaned, primed and covered with seam tape or a cover strip along their full length. Edges of every patch and seam get a bead of lap sealant.
Wall flashing
Bridged corners are cut free and new flashing is installed to relieve stress. New termination bar and counter flashing keep the top edge sealed.
What is included
Repairs a rubber roofer can handle
Penetration flashing
Damaged collars around penetrations are renewed sealed at the base.
Tear repair
Punctures get a primed rubber patch rolled for a full bond.
Seam repair
Failed seams get a new cover strip with lap sealant at the edges.
Surface renewal
An aged but sound roof can be primed and coated once all leaks are fixed.
Related service
EPDM Roof Repair Maplewood, NJ
Repairing EPDM is simple in concept but unforgiving of shortcuts. 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. Edges then get lap sealant for extra protection.
A Maplewood roofer will time EPDM repairs for dry weather, because moisture ruins the bond. Short-term fixes can protect the house until the weather cooperates. The permanent repair should still follow the full process.
Related service
Rubber Roof Replacement Maplewood, NJ
There comes a point where patching an EPDM roof stops being worth it. 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.
A new rubber roof can go back on as EPDM, or the roof can switch to TPO or PVC. If the existing roof is a single layer with dry insulation, a recover may be possible, but wet insulation means a tear-off. Ask the Maplewood roofer to compare repair and replacement for your roof.
Local help
Rubber Roof Repair Near Me
Around Maplewood, rubber roofing is found on additions, carports and flat roofs that have been in place for years. From Maplewood to neighboring communities such as Vauxhall, Union, Springfield and Short Hills, storms and years of sun wear seams and flashing on rubber roofs, and early repairs keep the insulation dry.
For rubber roof repair in Maplewood, NJ or nearby towns like Vauxhall, Union, Springfield and Short Hills, call (973) 858-1830 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 Maplewood is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Maplewood and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Rubber Roof Repair FAQ
Should I coat my EPDM roof?
Coatings can work on rubber roofs with proper prep. The roof must be repaired first, cleaned and primed with an EPDM-compatible primer before an acrylic or silicone coating goes on. A coating is not a fix for an active leak.
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. Use primer, EPDM cover tape and lap sealant instead.
How long does a rubber roof last?
Rubber roofs often last two to three decades. Roofs with good drainage and maintained seams last longest. Timely repairs to seams and flashing help it get there.
What is the right way to patch EPDM?
The surface is cleaned, primed and covered with rubber patch material. Cover tape with rounded corners goes over primed rubber and is rolled for a full bond. Edges are sealed with lap sealant.
Why is my rubber roof pulling away from the wall?
Shrinkage is the usual cause. Tension builds at walls and edges, and the flashing eventually tears. Repairs release the strain and reflash the wall.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1830
Often needed together
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
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 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, with the damage underneath checked too.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof repair in Maplewood, NJ?
Call now for Maplewood rubber roof repair and help in the towns around it.