Torch-Down Roofing in Southern California

This is a flat and low-slope material - garage roofs, additions, porch roofs, small commercial buildings and sections of larger roofs that tie into a steep-slope tile or shingle system. It's a common go-to on residential flat sections across Southern California where the roof is small enough that torch application is efficient and cost-effective compared to a full single-ply crew setup.

It's not something we'd put on a large commercial roof where an automated single-ply system or hot-mopped modified bitumen makes more sense - torch-down earns its keep on smaller, detail-heavy sections.

• Torch-Down Roofing handled by our own Southern California crew – no subcontractors
• Licensed, insured and permitted for work in Southern California, CA
• Written scope and pricing before anything starts
• Clean-up and haul-away included on every Southern California job

A properly torched modified bitumen roof runs 15 to 20 years. The APP formulation holds up well to Southern California sun, which is a big part of why it's popular here versus SBS in colder climates.

Failures show up almost exclusively at seams and flashing details rather than in the open field of the membrane - a seam that didn't get enough heat to fully bond, or a flashing detail where the torch couldn't get proper access around a pipe or curb. Blistering from trapped moisture during installation is another common issue, usually traced back to wet insulation or a deck that wasn't fully dry before torching.

• Torch-Down Roofing handled by our own Southern California crew – no subcontractors
• Licensed, insured and permitted for work in Southern California, CA
• Written scope and pricing before anything starts
• Clean-up and haul-away included on every Southern California job

Walk the roof after major wind or heat events and check flashing edges, since that's where problems start. Keep any drains clear, and don't let ponding water sit for extended periods even though APP resists UV well.

We suggest an annual look, particularly before rainy season, so any lifted edge gets resealed before it becomes an active leak.

• Torch-Down Roofing handled by our own Southern California crew – no subcontractors
• Licensed, insured and permitted for work in Southern California, CA
• Written scope and pricing before anything starts
• Clean-up and haul-away included on every Southern California job

Pricing depends on square footage, number of plies, how detail-heavy the roof is with penetrations and flashing, and deck condition underneath. Smaller residential flat sections price differently than a full commercial roof, and access for propane tanks and equipment factors in too.

We quote after inspecting the deck and existing roofing, since torch-down over a compromised substrate is a recipe for early failure regardless of how good the membrane itself is.

• Torch-Down Roofing handled by our own Southern California crew – no subcontractors
• Licensed, insured and permitted for work in Southern California, CA
• Written scope and pricing before anything starts
• Clean-up and haul-away included on every Southern California job