South Florida and in particular Miami-Dade County has the most stringent roofing codes in the country. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Miami-Dade adopted a new “high velocity wind” building code that substantially changed the way roofs were installed in Miami. In addition to the changes in roofing techniques, a new permitting and inspections procedure was implemented. Different types of roofs have different inspection schedules. Tile roofs for example have 5 inspections. The first inspection is the “Tin Cap” inspection, which is performed after the first layer of roofing felt is installed. During this inspection, the Miami roofing inspector checks the nailing pattern of the felt and the perimeter edge metal, and also verifies flashings are installed correctly and primed with asphalt primer. The second inspection on a tile roof installation is the “Mop In Progress” inspection, also known as the “In Progress” inspection or the “Paper” inspection. Unlike the Tin Cap inspection, which is performed after the first layer of felt is installed, the “Mop In Progress” inspection is performed during the installation of the second layer of roofing. During this inspection, the inspector verifies that the laps of the second layer of roofing are being mechanically fastened with ring shank nails and tin caps before they are concealed. The third inspection is performed during the installation of the roofing tile. In Miami and surrounding municipalities such as Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, and Pinecrest, a fourth inspection is required called the “Uplift” inspection. Unlike the other inspections, this inspection is performed by a civil engineer, not a city inspector, and during the exam the bonding strength of the tile is tested to make sure the tile bond meets the strength required by the Florida Building Code. After the Uplift inspection report is complete, it is attached to the roofing permit and the final inspection is performed by the city roofing inspector.
Miami Roofing Inspections
January 25th, 2012T&S Roofing Systems, A Miami Roofing Company, Receives Master Elite™ Certification From GAF Materials Corp.
December 9th, 2011Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIAMI, FL (PR Web), December 9, 2011 –T&S Roofing Systems has received the Master Elite™ Roofing Contractor certification from GAF Materials Corp., North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. Only 3% of roofing contractors nationwide are certified Master Elite™ Roofing Contractors and of 1800 roofing contractors in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, only 14 roofing companies have been awarded the certification.
Master Elite™ roofing contractors can provide homeowners with 15-20 year warranties on new shingle, tile, and metal roofs backed by GAF Materials Corp. These warranties, The Golden Pledge and The Blue Diamond Warranty, cover workmanship, unlike any warranty offered by non-certified contractors. In addition to building department inspections, all roofs covered under these warranties undergo a 40-point inspection by a GAF inspector, and the required materials and installation methods go well beyond code requirements.
Louis Toledo, T&S Roofing Systems’ President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Our team has worked hard over the past year to attain this certification and we are excited to be able to offer our customers a service of much greater value. I feel the training we went through during the certification process has put our company at another level in terms of installation quality and customer service and I see this as the start of a new era for our company.”
About T&S Roofing Systems, Inc.:
T&S Roofing Systems is the leading residential Miami roofing contractor serving Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Established in 2004, the Miami roofing company services over 1,000 homes per year, more than any single roofing company in the Tri-County area, and proudly maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. For more information visit http://www.tsroofingsystems.com.
Contact Info:
T&S Roofing Systems, Inc.
Phone: 305-NEW-ROOF
Email: louis@tsroofingsystems.com
Source: T&S Roofing Systems, Inc.
Roof Maintenance 101 Part 1
November 4th, 2011Roof maintenance is a topic commonly overlooked by many homeowners and building owners. However, performing preventive roof maintenance is the single most important factor in assuring the roof system lasts its expected lifetime. Roof maintenance costs for a 2,000 square foot house range between $500 and $1,500 and for a 10,000 square foot warehouse they range between $2,500 and $3,000. Roof maintenance is especially important for flat roofs where clogged drains and scuppers can cause ponding water which rots the roof membrane. The Florida Building Code considers any roof that has standing water for more than 48 hours as having improper drainage. Ponding rainwater should be shallow enough to evaporate within this time. In addition to rotting the roofing material, ponding water also cause strain to the roof deck which can result in structural problems such as deck deflection which also worsens the ponding problem. Performing roof maintenance can spot and correct ponding areas before they create bigger (and more costly) problems. All manufacturers of roofing materials state on their warranty that if routine maintenance is not performed, the warranty will be void. So performing roof maintenance is not only necessary to prevent premature roof failure, but also to ensure you’re covered if there is a material defect that should be covered by the roofing material manufacturer.
Wind Driven Rain
October 10th, 2011After a strong storm many people discover leaks that they were previously unaware of. Stains appear on ceilings and walls which darken as they dry. When diagnosing the area that is causing the leak it is important to consider all possibilities. This includes not only the roof, but also windows, chimneys, AC equipment and other roof top equipment. The biggest culprit for roof leaks other than the roofing system is windows. With time, the sealant around windows wears and wind driven rain can make it to the inside of the house. This is usually the case when a two story house is leaking on the first floor. It is also the case when water marks appear on the walls inside the house but not on the ceiling. If the leaks are discovered after hard rains but not when it rains lightly, the problem is most probably something other than the roof. Tarping the section of the house where the leak appears is a good way to temporarily stop the leak but if AC equipment or other roof top equipment is also covered, the leak source will not be isolated. When tarping the house, keep AC units, chimney’s and other objects uncovered and if the leak still appears, its not the roof!
Pressure Cleaning Precautions
September 6th, 2011When pressure cleaning, customer face several challenges. The greatest challenge is that pressure cleaning companies do not guarantee against broken tiles and many take poor precautions to prevent breaking tiles. Tile repairs can be costly and usually requires a roofing contractor to perform the repairs correctly. The second problem home owners face with pressure cleaning is that the shooting water at high pressures directly at the tile roofs can also cause the underlayment to get damaged. This is especially true for shingle and flat roofs where there is not a tile covering protecting the roofing membrane. Even on tile roofs, pressure cleaning can damage critical areas such as flashings, stucco, and valleys. These areas are extremely succeptible to leaks especially if there is already some wear and tear evident. Shooting water at high pressure in these areas can seriously compromise the roof. There are several solutions to address these issues. First, homeowners must cut back any tree branches or vegetation that is growing over the roof. This will greatly prevent mold and other dark areas from forming on the roof surfaces. Secondly, if the roof becomes dirty, there is an alternative to pressure cleaning. Nowadays, any roofing supplier can provide the homeowner with a chemical based product that is applied over the roof and broom swept clean. To conclude, roofs that are older than 10 years old should not be pressure cleaned. Instead, vegetation and branches should be cut back in order to prevent darkening of the roof and if the roof needs to be cleaned, broom sweeping a chemical product available at any roofing supplier is definitely the option.
What color to choose for mortar finishes on tile roof
August 9th, 2011Mortar is used for the concrete finishes of tile roofs in the valleys, hips, ridges, hip heads and gable heads. It can be stained with oxide a variety of colors and there is a general misconception as to the color that is appropriate for different tile types and colors. Clay tiles all usually have a terracotta base and a terracotta oxide stain is typically used if the the tile is 100% terracotta. However, when clay tiles are blended with terracotta and darker shades, the best color to use is the standard grey cement. This is counterintuitive as people believe the cement should always match the color of the tile. However, a grey colored cement allows the roof to have more definition in the areas of hips, ridges and valleys. Concrete tiles are a different story. Since concrete tiles come in a variety of colors and many blends, the best color for the mortar is the base color of the tile. For example, if the concrete tile has an orange color with dark flashes, the mortar color should be orange. If this was the case with clay tile, the best mortar color would instead be grey. The reason grey cement looks best for blended clay tiles is because it gives the rustic appearance of spanish influence that is different from the american style concrete tiles. The best thing about mortar is that it can be stained in a variety of colors but it is always best to keep the color consistent throughout the roof.
Rain Season is Here
July 22nd, 2011Rain season is a catch 22 for roofing contractors. When it rains heavily, many homeowners notice new evidence of roof leaks from ceiling stains, swollen drywall, or even a sense of humidity in the house. Although roofing companies get drenched with new estimate requests, we get substantially delayed from the weather not allowing roof work to be performed. Whenever it rains heavily, it is said to be a good day for roofers, but a bad day for roofing.
Hurricane Season Preparedness
June 6th, 2011Hurricane season is expected to be an active season this year with several named storms. Most homeowners are concerned about existing roof leaks heading into hurricane season but there is something more important to watch out for: loose objects on the roof. The biggest danger during a storm is projectiles caused by loose objects on the roof. Before a storm, homeowners should inspect the roof for any loose tiles or debris. Active leaks are a problem for rain season in general, but during a storm, wind is a bigger and more important factor than rain. The best do-it-yourself way to secure any loose tiles is purchasing a can of Polyfoam (sold in any major roofing supplier or Home Depot) and spraying the foam adhesive underneath any loose tiles. This is a fast and easy way to be protected during a storm as flying projectiles can not only endager your family but also your neighbors as well.
Pros and cons of different roof types
April 4th, 2011There are not many options when it comes to residential roofing in miami or roofing in ft lauderdale. The common choices are between shingle, tile, and metal. Unless, of course, if you have a flat roof, in which case you will have many more options. We will get into flat roofing systems later. Shingle roofs are the most economical and easiest to install. The options are regular 3-tab shingles or dimensional. These two roof types may last between 25 and 40 years respectively. Tile roofs options consist of clay or concrete tiles. These tiles come in different profiles including flat, double roll, spanish s, and barrel tile. Popular manufacturers of concrete tiles are Monier, Hanson, Eagle, and Entegra. Clay tile brands include Santa Fe, Altusa, Ludowici, and Borja. Metal roofing options include standing seam metal roof panels, 5V crimp panels, and metal tiles. The most popular metal roofing in Dade County and Broward County is 16″ standing seam metal roof panels. When choosing what type roof to install at your house, considerations include price, longevity, style, and location.
How to find the cause of a roof leak PART 2
July 21st, 2010A guide for repairs of Miami roofing and Ft Lauderdale roofing.
Performing a water test is easy, however most people don’t know how to do it effectively. Start off by taking the hose on the roof. Then have someone turn the water on as you aim towards the general leak location. Do not turn the water on yourself and climb on the roof with a running hose. Climbing the ladder with a running hose can cause you to slip and really hurt yourself. Allow the water to flow over the leak area until the area is fully saturated. Then point the hose away from the leak area so you can check if water has entered the house. If water leaked into the house, then you’ve got a general idea where the water is coming from. Then choose a smaller area to continue to wet with the hose. Add water until the area is fully saturated then stop again, making sure to only wet the smaller area you have focused on. Then check again if water entered the house. If you did you’re getting closer and choose yet a smaller area to wet again. Continue this process until you think you’ve isolated the culprit. The “kill the culprit”. This is a popular roofing phrase which means point the hose at the area you have isolated and apply pressure. Make the tip of the hose touch the roof and blast the water at the area. This will cause a tremendous amount of water to enter the house. Although you will need to do some mopping inside, you now know exactly where the water is coming from and can take the necessary measures to fix the leak.