Roofing guides

Straight Answers About Your Florida Roof

No sales pitch, just practical guides on what a roof problem means, what your options are, and what it is likely to cost. Written by a licensed Florida roofer for Gulf Coast homeowners. If you would rather just talk it through, call (941) 896-7793.

Leaks and Water

Find it and stop it

My roof is leaking. What do I do right now?→ How do I find where my roof is actually leaking?→ Why does my roof only leak in heavy rain?→ Why is my roof leaking around the vent pipe?→ There's a water stain on my ceiling. Is it the roof?→ Why does my roof leak at the chimney, wall, or valley?→ Why is water pooling on my flat roof?→ Why does my roof leak in the valley?→ Why is my new roof already leaking?→ Water is dripping from a light fixture. What do I do?→ How can I slow a roof leak until the roofer arrives?→

Wear and Aging

Is the roof telling you something?

How long does a roof really last in Florida?→ How do I know if my roof has only a few years left?→ Do I need a new roof now, or will a repair do?→ Why does my Florida roof have black streaks?→ Granules in the gutters: is my shingle roof failing?→ My shingles are curling and cupping. What does that mean?→ My roofline is sagging or dipping. How serious is it?→ Is my roof deck damaged under the shingles?→ My tile roof is cracking. Repair or replace?→ Can someone walk on my tile roof without cracking it?→ Why is my metal roof showing rust in Florida?→ Why is my flat roof splitting or cracking?→ My flat roof looks like alligator skin. What is alligatoring?→ What are nail pops on a roof, and are they a problem?→

Storm Damage

After the hurricane

Missing shingles after a storm. What now?→ My roof is bubbling or blistering after the storm. Is it damaged?→ Wind-lifted roof tiles: repair or replace?→ Still dealing with Hurricane Ian roof damage?→ Roof damage from Hurricane Milton?→ My FEMA tarp is shredded. What now?→ Hurricane season roof prep in Manatee County→ How do I know if my roof has storm damage I can't see?→ My commercial roof has storm damage. Who do I call?→

Insurance Claims

Deadlines, coverage, denials

How Florida roof insurance claims work, step by step→ What does homeowners insurance actually cover for my roof?→ ACV vs RCV: what will my roof claim actually pay?→ How do I document roof damage for an insurance claim?→ My roof claim was denied. Now what?→ Your adjuster said "wear and tear." What that means.→ Insurance says my roof is too old. What are my options?→ How much does a wind mitigation inspection save, and how do I get one?→ What do the roof questions on my wind mitigation form mean?→ Can My Safe Florida Home pay for roof work?→ My insurer non-renewed me over my roof. What do I do now?→ How do hurricane and roof deductibles work, and what will I pay?→ Does my insurer have to match my existing tile or shingle?→ Will a new roof lower my homeowners insurance?→

Choosing and Paying for a Roof

Materials, costs, what to expect

What is the best roofing material for a Florida home?→ What are the best shingles for a Florida roof?→ Atlas Pinnacle Pristine: what the shingle and its warranty cover→ What is the best roofing for a home near the water?→ How much does a roof repair cost in Florida?→ What should I expect during a roof replacement?→ Can I put a new roof over my existing shingles?→ What is the best flat roof material for a Florida building?→ How Much Does a Shingle Roof Cost in Florida?→ How Much Does a New Roof Cost by House Size?→ What Does a Roof Cost Per Square?→ How Do I Compare Two Roof Quotes?→ How Can I Finance a New Roof in Florida?→ How much does a tile roof cost in Florida?→ How much does a metal roof cost in Florida?→ How much does a flat roof cost per square foot?→ How much does a roof inspection cost, and are they free?→ Should I replace my roof before selling my house?→

Hiring a Roofer

Licenses, questions, scams

How do I check if a Florida roofer is licensed?→ What should I ask a roofer before I hire them?→ How do I avoid a roofing scam after a storm?→

Metal Roofs

Standing seam, 5V and the metal itself

What Is a 5V Crimp Metal Roof? A Florida Homeowner's Guide→ Standing Seam vs 5V Crimp: Which Metal Roof Is Right for Florida?→ Galvalume vs Galvanized Metal Roof: Which Holds Up in Florida?→ Aluminum vs Steel Metal Roof: Which Is Better in Florida?→ 24 gauge vs 26 gauge metal roof: which is better for Florida?→ What is stone coated steel roofing, and is it approved in Florida?→ Are metal roofs loud in the rain?→ Do metal roofs attract lightning?→ Why are my metal roof screws leaking, and how are they fixed?→ What Is Oil Canning on a Metal Roof, and Is It a Problem?→ Painting a Metal Roof: When It Makes Sense in Florida→ Metal Roof Warranty Near Salt Water: What Is Covered?→ Metal Roof Installation Process: Step by Step→ Metal vs Tile Roof in Florida: Which Fits Your Home?→

Shingles and Roof Parts

What is on your roof and why

Architectural vs 3 Tab Shingles: Which Is Better for a Florida Roof?→ Shingle Wind Rating in Florida: What Do Class F, Class H and 130 mph Mean?→ Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles in Florida: Are They Worth It?→ Composite Roofing Shingles in Florida: Are They Worth It?→ Synthetic Underlayment vs Felt: Which Goes Under a Florida Shingle Roof?→ How Long Can Roof Underlayment Be Exposed Before Shingles Go On?→ Is Drip Edge Required on a Roof in Florida? Code and Install Rules→ How does attic ventilation work on a Florida roof?→ Are solar attic fans worth it in Florida?→ Are turbine roof vents safe in a hurricane?→ Plywood vs OSB Roof Decking: Thickness, Nailing and What Florida Code Says→ Cool Roof in Florida: What Is True, What Changed, and What It Saves→

Tile Roofs

Concrete, clay and what fails underneath

Concrete vs Clay Roof Tile: Which Is Right for a Florida Home?→ Barrel Tile vs Flat Tile Roof: What Is the Difference in Florida?→ Tile Roof Underlayment Replacement: When and How It Is Done in Florida→ Tile Roof Lift and Relay: Can You Reuse Your Tile and Save Money?→ Foam Set vs Mortar Set Tile Roof: Which Holds Up in Florida Wind?→ Replacement Roof Tiles Discontinued: What Can You Do?→ Switching From a Shingle to a Tile Roof: What It Takes→ Tile vs Shingle Roof in Florida: Which Is Better?→ What is the tile roof replacement process in Florida?→

Flat, Low-Slope and Mobile Home Roofs

Carports, porches, flat roofs

Carport and Sunroom Roof Replacement: TPO Over Old Metal→ How Long Does a Flat Roof Last in Florida?→ Flat Roof Drains and Scuppers: How They Work and Why They Clog→ Flat Roof Coating in Florida: When Does It Work?→ EPDM Rubber Roof in Florida: Heat, Leaks and Lifespan→ Mobile Home Roof Leaking? Common Causes and How It Is Fixed→

Shingle Problems and Odd Leaks

Blisters, cracks, attics and more

Ridge cap shingles blown off: what should you do?→ What causes shingle blisters, and do they matter?→ Cracked Shingles: What Causes Them and Should You Repair or Replace?→ Sun Damage on a Roof in Florida: What It Looks Like and What to Do→ Attic Condensation or Roof Leak? How to Tell the Difference in Florida→ Mold in Attic From a Roof Leak: What Causes It and What Comes Next→ How to Check Attic for a Roof Leak: Safe Steps for Homeowners→ Why Does My Roof Leak Only When It Is Windy?→ Roof Leak After Solar Panels: Who Is Responsible and What to Do→ Does Flex Seal Work on Roof Leaks?→ Pressure Washing Roof Damage: What High Pressure Does to a Roof→

Storms, Wind and Hail

After the weather

Tree fell on roof? What to do, step by step→ Lightning struck roof? Check for fire first, then the roof→ Hail damage roof Florida: how to spot it and what to do→ Tornado Roof Damage in Florida: What to Do First→ What wind speed damages a roof in Florida?→ How long can a tarp stay on a roof?→ Hip Roof vs Gable Roof in a Hurricane: Which Holds Up Better?→

Planning a New Roof

Timing, money and the job itself

What Is the Best Time of Year to Replace a Roof in Florida?→ Partial Roof Replacement in Florida: Can You Replace Just One Slope?→ How Do You Find Out How Old Your Roof Is?→ Does a New Roof Add Value to a Home?→ Is a New Roof Tax Deductible?→ Should You Replace Your Roof Before Solar Panels?→ How to Prepare for a Roof Replacement: A Florida Checklist→ Can You Stay Home During a Roof Replacement?→ What if it rains during roof replacement in Florida?→ What do roofers find during a roof tear-off?→ What Are the Different Roof Warranty Types?→ How Much Deposit Do You Pay for a Roof in Florida?→

Florida Rules, Permits and Insurance

Code, law and paperwork

Do I Need a Permit to Replace My Roof in Florida?→ What Are the Florida Building Code Roofing Requirements?→ What Are the Roof Nailing Requirements in Florida?→ What Is Florida Product Approval for Roofing?→ What Is a Notice of Commencement for a Roof in Florida?→ Do You Need HOA Approval for a New Roof in Florida?→ Who Is Responsible for the Roof on a Townhouse or Condo in Florida?→ Public adjuster vs roofer: who does what on a Florida roof?→ Free roof offer in Florida: what happened to assignment of benefits?→ What Is the Florida Roof Claim Deadline?→

Hiring, Inspections and Upkeep

Before and after the job

How Do I Check If a Roofer Is Insured in Florida?→ Roofer vs Handyman for Roof Repair: What Florida Law Says→ Can I Repair My Own Roof in Florida? Law, Permits and Safety→ What Does a Roof Inspection Include?→ How Often Should a Roof Be Inspected in Florida?→ Do You Need a Roof Inspection Before Buying a House in Florida?→ Roof Maintenance Checklist for Florida Homes→ Trees Near Roof Damage: What Branches, Debris and Falling Limbs Do→ How to Hang Christmas Lights Without Damaging Your Roof→

Roofing Basics

The words and the math

Roofing Terms Glossary: What the Words on Your Roofing Estimate Mean→ Roof Pitch Explained: What 6:12 Means and Why It Matters→ How Is a Roof Measured? Squares, Pitch, Waste and Aerial Reports→

Looking for cost breakdowns and longer reads? Visit the Coastline roofing blog.

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