Miami Roofing Inspections

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.