Tile Roof Decking and Fascia Repair in Pompano Beach, FL

Tile in Florida goes on solid sheathing only, and in the HVHZ any deteriorated sheathing found during a reroof has to be removed and replaced. The trouble is that you can't see it in advance. Pompano Beach's reroof paperwork tells owners the deck "is usually concealed prior to removing the existing roof system." From the attic you may spot dark stains or sagging between rafters, and insurers' roof inspection forms have a box for "soft spots in decking." Ask for a unit price on the quote before tear-off so a bad sheet doesn't become a surprise invoice.

• Decking replacement: about $2 to $5 per square foot nationally
• Minimum deck under tile: 15/32-inch plywood or nominal 1-inch lumber

When the roof covering on a house with a wood deck is removed and replaced, the Florida Building Code, Existing Building (Section 706.7) lets the roofing contractor bring the deck attachment up to its standard. That section exempts houses that were permitted under the Florida Building Code itself, so it is aimed at older homes. Under Table 706.7.1.2, what's already there decides the work:

• Staples or 6d nails, any spacing: add new nails at 6 inches on center
• 8d nails at 6 inches or closer: no extra nails needed
• 8d nails farther apart than 6 inches: add nails to reach 6 inches on center
• Added nails: ring shank, 0.113-inch shank, at least 2-3/8 inches long

Inside the HVHZ, the owner notice in Pompano Beach's permit packet says the deck may have to be renailed under the code's HVHZ structural chapter instead, so ask the roofer which nailing schedule applies to your house. Deck attachment is also an item on the wind mitigation form, which the inspection page explains.

Florida law defines a roofing contractor's scope to include any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia needed during a roof repair or replacement, so a roofer can fix rotted fascia as part of the tile job. A raised fascia also matters to the roof: the manual says it creates a water dam at the eave and needs an anti-ponding system so water can run off. Fascia-only work is different. The City of Pompano Beach lists non-structural fascia, soffit and wood rot repairs among jobs that may qualify for the under-$7,500 permit exemption under House Bill 803. The exemption isn't automatic, and roof framing is excluded, so ask the City's Building Department before skipping a permit.

The drip edge is the metal angle that caps the deck edge over the fascia. HVHZ code spells out its shape and fastening, and the tile has to overhang it by a set amount. HomeGuide puts replacing drip edge at about $1.50 to $9.00 per linear foot nationally.

• Vertical face: at least 1-1/2 inches, reaching 1/2 inch below the sheathing
• Deck flange: at least 2 inches, nailed every 4 inches with 12-gauge ring shank nails
• Laps: at least 4 inches, with flashing cement in the joint
• Kick: at least 1/2 inch clear of the wall below
• Tile overhang past the drip edge: 3/4 inch to 2 inches