Living in South Florida, you know about the temperamental environment that we live in. Although the area is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, South Florida’s environment can be incredibly harsh on your roof. Roofing in our area is extremely complex; almost as complex as the weather. When deciding on a roof, it is important to find a system that will protect you and your family from the various stresses our Florida environment brings.
- Salt Air / Sea Spray – causes corrosion and accelerates the deterioration
- Wind-Driven Rains – non-sealed roofs allow water intrusion – leaks
- Thermal Shock – extreme temperature changes cause rapid expansion and contraction, producing stress which leads to roof system break-down
- UV Rays – causes oxidation, which leads to interior material breakdown and fading
We use only the highest quality materials to provide you the best quality roof for the greatest value. Every step of our roofing process is designed with your best interest in mind.
Icynene Foam Insulation
Icynene is a spray foam product that is used to insulate the attic in homes. There are some reports that the chemical is releasing toxic gases and does not repel water. Instead, it gets saturated with water and can hold it like a sponge. The result can lead to mold. Removal of the form is a costly expense since it has to be sandblasted off the structure which may also be damaged by moisture. If you have a roof leak and have this type of insulation in your attic, it would be hard to detect the leak unless the foam is removed out of the attic.
Cellulose Insulation
The cheapest roofing solution may not always be the best solution. In some cases, trying to save a buck on roofing materials can actually increase the risk of damage or destruction to your home. Cellulose roofing insulation, for example, is highly flammable, even though inexpensive. If you have an older home with cellulose insulation in your attic, call Kelly Roofing! We’ll help you find an insulation solution that is safe as well as functional.
Algae Growth
Causes: Algae growth causes a dark discoloration on roofs. The algae are usually brown to black in color which results in a streaked, dirty looking rooftop. It can be mistaken for soot, dirt, or tree droppings, which typically produce only localized discoloration. It’s caused by the growth of air-borne algae which deposits on your roof. The good news is algae growth does not affect the service life of your roofing material. It occurs most often in warm, humid climates such as the Southeast (where algae-resistant shingles are available).
Recommendations: Discoloration of roofs caused by fungus or algae is difficult to remove, but can be lightened by spraying a diluted solution of chlorine bleach, trisodium phosphate, and water onto the roof. Use our Roof Rain Time-Activated Algae Prevention Solution. This solution can then be rinsed from the roof in 10 to 15 minutes. Do not scrub. Scrubbing will loosen and remove granules. After spraying be sure to thoroughly flush the roof and the greenery around the home (grass, bushes, and shrubs) with water. The effectiveness of this type of cleaning may only be temporary, and the discoloration may recur. High-pressure washing is not recommended due to the possibility of removing granules, thereby shortening the life of the roofing system.
Damaged Flashing
Causes:
- Improper installation on a new roof.
- Drying and cracking on an old roof.
- Dented by improper nailing.
- Settling of the structure.
Recommendations: In most cases, it is only necessary to remove and replace the flashing and shingles around the damaged area.
Buckling
Causes:
- Improperly applied felt.
- Wrinkled underlayment.
- Roof deck movement.
- Spacers not used in between roof deck boards.
- Poor roof ventilation.
- New shingles applied over old, rough shingles.
Recommendations:
- Allow moisture to escape the roofing system. This can be a slow process and could take until the following spring. Once the roofing system reaches the proper moisture content, the roof should lay flat and the buckling problem should not return.
- Remove the shingles that are affected. Cut the wrinkle in the felt and replace the shingles.
- Add ventilation to the attic space. The minimum requirement is one square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic floor space if a vapor retarder is not present. If a vapor retarder is present, the amount of required ventilation can be reduced to one square foot of net free vent area per 300 square feet of attic floor space.
- Add ventilation to the attic space. The minimum requirement is one square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic floor space if a vapor retarder is not present. If a vapor retarder is present, the amount of required ventilation can be reduced to one square foot of net free vent area per 300 square feet of attic floor space.
Curling
Causes:
- High nails
- Lack of back coating
- Under-saturation of asphalt felt in organic shingles.
- Lack of ventilation
- Improper number of fasteners
Recommendations:
- Check location and number of fasteners
- Added roof ventilation can often help correct this issue
Blistering
Causes: Moisture in the shingle
Recommendations: If the blisters break open revealing the asphalt, the affected shingles should be replaced. You should then consult with the manufacturer of the shingles.
Missing Shingles
Causes:
- Improper fastening
- Exposure to high winds
Recommendations: Replace shingles that have completely blown off. For shingles with tabs blowing up and down, hand seal the shingles with asphalt plastic cement, commonly referred to as flashing cement. This roofing cement must comply with ASTM D4586 – Type I or Type II, which is the standard specification for asbestos-free asphalt plastic roof cement.
Ceiling Spots
Causes: Spots are caused by leaks in the roof.
Recommendations:
- Check the attic for leaks in the decking.
- Check chimney, walls, boots, and vents for cracks in flashing.
- Check rafters for leaks that “travel” away from original source.
- Check eaves for water backing up from ice dams.
- Check the roof for damaged shingles.
Missing Granules
Causes: Normally a certain number of granules will be loose, especially after application. These granules are called “riders” and are a normal result of the manufacturing process. Granule loss does not affect the service life of the shingles unless granules can be seen missing on the surface of the shingles, thus exposing the asphalt or Fiberglas mat.
Recommendations: On aging shingles, missing granules indicate a need for replacement.
Rotting
Causes: Rotting is caused by the absorption of moisture by the mat at the core of the shingle. This is a common problem with organic-based shingles.
Recommendations: You will need shingle repair. The rotting shingles have to be taken out and new decking and underlayment have to be added.
