1512 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226info@vantaflatroofing.com
Open 7 days, 7am–7pm24/7 emergency: (929) 219-1763

Built-Up Roof Repair in Brooklyn, NY

Built-up (tar and gravel) roofs are still on many older Brooklyn buildings. They are tough and repairable: we fix blisters, splits, bare spots and failing flashing by rebuilding the damaged layers with matching materials.

Typical repair cost
$300–$1,500
Most repairs
One visit
Repair method
Rebuilt plies + gravel
Workmanship warranty
10 years

Our Built-Up Roof Repair Services

We repair built-up roofs with compatible felts, asphalt and mastics, so the repair bonds with the layers already on the roof.

Blister repair

Blisters opened, dried out and rebuilt with new plies so moisture can’t return.

Call (929) 219-1763

Split & crack repair

Cracks cut back to sound roof and rebuilt layer by layer.

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Re-graveling bare spots

Exposed asphalt recoated and covered with fresh gravel to protect it from the sun.

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Flashing repair

Base and counter-flashing rebuilt at parapets, chimneys, curbs and hatches.

Call (929) 219-1763

Pitch pocket repair

Pitch pockets around pipes and supports cleaned and refilled so they seal again.

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Drain repair

Drains and scuppers cleared, resealed and flashed into the surrounding layers.

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Built-Up Roof Repair Cost in Brooklyn

Built-up (tar and gravel) roofs are repaired by removing gravel, rebuilding the damaged plies with hot asphalt or cold-applied layers, and putting the gravel back. The price depends on the size of the area, how many plies are damaged and how much gravel needs replacing. Most built-up repairs cost $300 to $1,500.

What changes the price

  • Size of the damaged area and number of plies to rebuild
  • Gravel that has to be moved and replaced
  • Pitch pockets and flashing around equipment
  • Number of existing roof layers on the building

You get a written price after a free inspection, before any work starts.

Call for your exact price
RepairTypical Brooklyn price
Pitch pocket refill or rebuild$300 – $600+
Blister or split repair$300 – $700+
Flashing repair at walls or equipment$450 – $1,300+
Bare spot flood coat and re-graveling$500 – $1,500+
Rebuilt ply section$800 – $2,200+
Leaks in several areas$1,500 – $4,000+
Emergency call outside business hoursadd $200 – $350+

Signs Your Tar and Gravel Roof Needs Repair

Built-up roofs give warning signs well before they fail completely.

Call for a free inspection
  • Blisters or soft, raised spots under the gravel
  • Bare spots where gravel has washed or blown away
  • Cracks or splits running across the roof surface
  • Cracked flashing at parapet walls, chimneys or pipe penetrations
  • Empty or cracked pitch pockets around pipes and supports
  • Dry, brittle asphalt showing through the gravel

How We Repair a Built-Up Roof

A built-up repair has to tie into every layer around it. We work the same way on every roof.

  1. Find the sourceWe trace the leak and photograph the damage.
  2. Clear and cut outGravel is swept back and damaged or wet plies are cut out and dried.
  3. Rebuild the pliesNew felts and compatible asphalt or mastic are built up in layers to match the roof around them.
  4. Re-gravel and documentFresh gravel is embedded, and you get photos and your warranty in writing.

Why Built-Up Roofs Fail in Brooklyn

  • Gravel loss. Wind and rain wash gravel away, leaving the asphalt exposed to the sun.
  • Trapped moisture. Water between plies turns to blisters in summer heat.
  • Age. Many built-up roofs in Brooklyn are decades old and the asphalt has dried out.
  • Flashing. Joints at walls and pipes move with the building and crack first.

When Repair Isn’t Enough

A built-up roof can often be repaired many times. When blisters and splits cover most of the roof, the insulation is wet over large areas, or the building already has the maximum number of roof layers, replacement is the better choice. You’ll see photos and get both prices.

Emergency on your built-up roof? We answer 24/7.

Call (929) 219-1763

Built-Up Roof Repair FAQs

Still have a question about your built-up roof? Call us.

Call (929) 219-1763
Can you find a leak under the gravel?

Yes. We clear the gravel around the likely entry points, check the layers and flashing, and photograph what we find.

How long does a built-up roof repair take?

Most built-up repairs are finished in one or two days, depending on how many plies need rebuilding and how much gravel has to be moved.

Can a built-up roof be coated instead of re-graveled?

Yes. A reflective coating can replace the gravel on a roof that is still sound, but the gravel has to be removed first and the surface prepared.

Is it safe to walk on a tar and gravel roof?

Yes, but foot traffic pushes gravel aside and wears the asphalt. Keep walking to a minimum and use the same path to rooftop equipment.

Need Built-Up Roof Repair in Brooklyn?

Free inspection, photos of the problem, and a written repair price before any work starts.

Call (929) 219-1763
Call (929) 219-1763 Free estimate