New construction roofing in Riverview, FL

Roof sheathing on a new home must be nailed with ring shank nails, 2 1/2 inches long, under the residential code. Before shingles or metal go on, the deck needs one of three dry-in methods. One is a self-adhering membrane over the whole deck. Another is a 3 3/4-inch strip or tape over every deck joint, then underlayment over the roof. The third is two layers of felt-type underlayment fastened with cap nails.

Metal drip edge sits above the underlayment along eaves and gables. Nails may be no more than 12 inches apart, or 4 inches apart where the design wind speed or roof height triggers the tighter rule. Tile must follow the manufacturer's instructions or the Florida high wind tile manual, and only over solid sheathing.

Roofing is a mandatory category for statewide product approval. Ask your builder for the approval number of each roofing product, and check it in the Florida Building Commission's public search. Hillsborough County is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which covers only Broward and Miami-Dade, so a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance is not the standard proof here.

Inspections run foundation first, then framing, sheathing, exterior wall coverings, roofing and final. The sheathing inspection can be a separate visit or part of the dry-in inspection. The roofing inspection covers dry-in, insulation, roof coverings and flashing, so the crew should not close up anything before it passes.

A builder may install asphalt shingles itself on its own new building. Tile, metal and membrane work must go to a roofing contractor holding a state certificate or registration. Record the Notice of Commencement and post it on site before the first inspection, because the permit card warns that skipping it can mean paying twice.

Gutters with downspouts are required where eaves project less than 6 inches, and downspouts must discharge 1 foot from the wall. Many Riverview neighborhoods are planned communities, and one named source lists FishHawk Ranch with a development district fee. Check community review rules before you pick roof colors or materials.