Roof repair in Homosassa Springs, FL

Under the Florida Building Code, patching may cover no more than 25 percent of a roof or roof section within any 12-month period. Once repairs go beyond that limit, the whole roof or section has to be replaced or recovered. The exception covers a roof that was itself built, repaired or replaced to the 2007 code or later, which took effect March 1, 2009.

Age matters here. The median build year in Homosassa Springs is 1988, and 76.5 percent of homes were built before 2000, but that describes the homes and not their roofs. A roof falls under the 2007 exception only if that roof was built, repaired or replaced in compliance with the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, and the 2007 code took effect March 1, 2009. That suggests a large repair on one of them may trigger the full-roof rule. Confirm with the building office before you plan the scope.

A mobile home follows different rules. With 52.8 percent of local housing units being mobile homes, ask the building office which standard covers your roof before assuming the Florida Building Code line applies.

Stay off a wet or damaged roof. From the ground, photograph missing tabs, exposed felt, soft spots and any water on ceilings. Insurers' own inspection lists include cracked or missing tabs, exposed felt and visible attic leaks. Tarping and drying come before any shingle work.

Outside Inverness and Crystal River city limits, roof permits come from the Citrus County Building Division. A county re-roof permit asks for product-approval documents, inspection photos of drip edge, flashing and nail pattern, and a notarized inspection affidavit. The building official decides whether a small repair requires a permit.

Your insurer or agent is the right contact for anything involving insurance. A new or reopened claim must reach the insurer within 1 year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months.