Roof repair in Frostproof, FL

Under Florida's building code, no more than 25 percent of a roof or roof section can be repaired in any 12-month period. Repairs beyond that limit mean the whole roof section has to be replaced. An exception applies when the roof itself was built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or any later edition. For such a roof, current code applies only to the part being repaired.

Mobile homes make up 29 percent of Frostproof housing units, against 20 percent countywide. Those roofs follow the HUD code, not the Florida Building Code's repair rules, so ask the building office which standard applies to yours.

Whether a small repair needs a permit is the local building official's decision, since the code allows ordinary minor repairs without one at the official's approval. Before any work begins, check with the building office to confirm.

• Stay off the roof. Photograph the ceilings and the ground around the house from outside.
• Look from the ground for missing tabs, exposed felt, lifted flashing or a missing ridge vent.
• Check the attic for damp insulation or daylight, which are signs of a leak.
• Tarp only what you can reach safely from the ground or a ladder, or leave it.

Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, with activity peaking around September 10. About 17 percent of Frostproof homes are seasonal or occasional-use, so a leak in a house nobody is watching can run for weeks. Ask a neighbor to look in after any named storm.

For questions about what your policy covers, turn to your insurer or agent. Under state law, roofing contractors may not advise you on coverage or solicit claims.