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Best ways to insulate a modified bitumen roof?

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animation_kevin
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(@animation_kevin)
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- Good points, but honestly, extra scuppers aren't always the answer.
- Seen roofs overloaded with drainage points still ponding due to subtle slope miscalculations.
- Sometimes tweaking slope angles slightly during install matters more than adding drains...

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joshuacoder
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Good insights here, slope definitely matters more than people realize. Had a similar issue a few years back—roofers added extra drains thinking it'd solve ponding, but nope, still had standing water after heavy rains. Turned out the insulation underneath wasn't tapered correctly, causing subtle dips. Once we adjusted the insulation slope slightly, problem solved.

Speaking of insulation, anyone tried spray foam under modified bitumen? I've heard mixed things—some swear by it for better thermal performance, others say it complicates repairs down the line. Curious if it's worth the hassle or if rigid foam boards are still the safer bet...

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(@alexp28)
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Spray foam can be great for thermal performance, but I've seen it turn into a nightmare when leaks happen—makes pinpointing the source tricky. Ever had to deal with repairs on spray foam roofs down the road? Curious how that went...

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(@vintage156)
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I've dealt with a few spray foam roof repairs after storm damage, and you're spot-on—tracking leaks can be a real headache. Sometimes it's like playing detective, cutting away sections bit by bit... definitely not my favorite way to spend an afternoon.

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bear_meow
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I've had similar frustrations tracking leaks on spray foam roofs—definitely tests your patience. If you're considering insulation options for a modified bitumen roof, I'd recommend looking into rigid board insulation like polyiso. It's moisture-resistant, has a high R-value per inch, and pairs nicely with modified bitumen systems.

The key is in the installation details: stagger your seams carefully to minimize thermal bridging, and tape or seal joints thoroughly to keep moisture out. Also, make sure you have adequate slope to prevent water ponding—flat or low-slope roofs can be tricky if drainage isn't spot-on. A slight pitch helps immensely.

Another thing I've learned (sometimes the hard way...) is the importance of a solid vapor barrier beneath your insulation layer. It helps control condensation issues that can sneak up over time. Hope this helps cut down on those detective afternoons hunting leaks!

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