Quality Roofing Materials That Meet Florida Requirements
During hurricane season, the Florida area is prone to hours of high wind speeds, strong gusts, changing wind directions and extensive rainfall. Building contractors must consider the internal pressure that buildings will experience as well as the Main Wind Force Resisting System,” referred to as the MWFRS stipulated by the Florida Building Code.
Along with the latter, Florida Building Codes state that in high-wind areas Components and Cladding – elements of the building structure such as roof sheathing, covering, exterior siding, and chimneys must also be considered. After much investigation into the damage of roofing in this area, it was decided that all roofing materials used in the Florida area must adhere to the wind uplift rating. These methods have been approved based on wind uplift ratings.
What Is Roof Uplift?
Wind uplift is one of the biggest threats to the longevity of your roof. Due to the strong winds that affect Florida’s coastal areas and the amount of extreme damage that has been caused by hurricanes, authorities are continuously monitoring the impact roofing materials have on the safety of inhabitants and the surrounding areas.
Wind uplift is the result of strong winds hitting a building. The wind causes pressure against the building the air pushes upwards. It is the pressure that builds up underneath the roof that causes the lifting of the roof. The wind is, of course, the biggest contributing factor to this phenomenon, but there are other factors that play a role in the degree of wind uplift such as:
- Roof materials used
- Height of the building
- Quality of work
- Upkeep of maintenance
When uplift occurs, the chance of your roof separating from the structure of your house increases. If there are any cracks or openings inside the roof structure, this will further contribute to the effect of uplift. This is one of the many ways that regular roof maintenance protects your home in the long run. Through the process of wind uplift, the roof membrane can become damaged, with screws and weakened materials getting pulled out.
Protecting Your Roof Against Wind Uplift
Roofing experts and property managers should have the knowledge to install the correct roofing systems, with quality materials. They would need to understand the effects of wind uplift, how to minimize the damage that generally occurs and be able to plan for the wind loads that will impact the structure. In order to properly prevent uplift issues, materials used must meet certain requirements. These products must be tested and proven to ensure that they can withstand wind effects, over time. Requirements for asphalt shingles, wood shingles and slate differ to concrete and clay roof tiles.
Materials like Tag & Stick, have been proven and tested for meeting wind uplift requirements. Tag & Stick developed a product that was created in order to mitigate the effects of wind uplift while simultaneously achieving Florida’s uplift requirements and offering customers quality materials. Previously, self-adhered underlayment either stuck really well to roof decking or, moisture and dust would prevent adequate adhesion. Poor adhesion of materials removes the protection factor of roofs. Replacing these creates further problems because when the underlayment is removed the sheathing is delaminated due to adhesion. When the self-adhered layer is removed, pieces of sheathing tend to be ripped up from decking material. This is where Tag & Stick becomes an important part of your roofing structure.
Tag & Stick – The Best Underlayment Option For South Florida Homes
Tag & Stick have been in the roofing business for over 25 years by way of roofing contractors as well as through roofing product manufacturers. We’ve seen our share of poor-quality materials that should never have been signed off. Your roof is an essential element of security for your home and your family. Authorities have implemented these requirements after years of damage caused by strong hurricane winds. Cutting costs now will cause you to pay later. Don’t be afraid to ask the important questions about the workmanship of your roof contractor. Creditable companies will readily supply you with this information to give you the peace-of-mind you need when carrying out roof repairs and roof replacements.