Reliant Roofing and Solar

Guarding against rain and wind damage in the American Subtropics
Designer Asphalt Shingles Keep Florida Homeowners Dry and Safe

With the sunshine state regularly experiencing a beautiful and warm subtropical climate, it’s no surprise that Florida ranks second in the United States for tourism, ranking only behind California. However, actually living in this paradise has challenges of its own – extreme humidity, powerful winds and torrential rains can test the limits of any roofing system. To keep pace with Florida’s erratic weather conditions, proper roof design, installation and maintenance is paramount. The Topsail Residence, a private estate in Ponte Vedra Beach, is a testament to how selecting the right roofing system makes a world of difference.

In 2015, the homeowners began an extensive addition on the property, which consisted of adding a new two-story section to their home and a new roof made of architectural shingles. However, the roofing system began to leak after only two years, causing widespread damage as well as unsightly water spots throughout the home.

Wisely, the homeowners sought the expertise of Pillar to Post Home Inspectors, who discovered issues with the roofing system and quickly recognized such frequent and substantial leaking required immediate attention. So, they suggested they contact a roofing contractor.

“After inspection, the problem immediately became apparent,” said Sean Shapiro, CEO of Reliant Roofing, the company hired to install the new roof. “We found torn shingles, signs of extensive foot and ladder traffic and pinhole leaks.”

The original portion of the roof was not the only damaged area. While leaking was an issue across the property, the epicenter was where the old and new sections of the roof met, Shapiro said.

“In some areas, there was no flashing installed whatsoever, allowing rainwater the perfect leak point to pour into the home,” said Shapiro. “The problem was just as bad where the second story met the roof below. The water was free to run through every nook and cranny.”

The contiguous U.S. average annual rainfall is 32.1 inches, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Jacksonville, Florida received 65.91 inches of rainfall in 2017 –more than double the contiguous national average, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Living only 22 miles southeast of the city, the homeowners needed a roofing system that would keep them safe and dry against Florida’s high winds and frequent rainstorms. Reliant had the solution – a new asphalt shingle roof.

“The homeowners didn’t feel comfortable just patching the leaks, they wanted protection against future leaks and the area’s common threats: high winds and stormy weather,” said Shapiro. “Therefore, we recommended a roof replacement using designer asphalt shingles.”

Reliant began by tearing off the shingles on both the older and newer sections of the roof, bringing in two full teams to tackle all 10,600 square-feet. Having dealt with numerous high-wind conditions on other roofing projects, Reliant chose GAF Grand Canyon® Lifetime Designer Shingles in the color Stone Wood to provide the homeowners a durable, long-lasting and beautiful new asphalt roofing system.

“When it storms in Florida, it storms,” added Shapiro. “We wanted to install a system that could withstand torrential downpours and high winds. Additionally, after their expensive project two years prior, it was hard to overlook the durability shingles provided at an affordable cost.”

Timbertex® Premium Ridge Caps were installed to add leak protection and to compliment the shingles stunning curb appeal. Reliant hand sealed every hip and ridge cap and used GAF self-adhering Leak Barrier on the decking, as well as installed custom counterflashing to address any potential defects in the stucco. Thanks to Reliant’s superior craftsmanship and asphalt shingles’ ease of installation, the entire 10,600 square-foot roof was transformed from a comprised system into a work of art in just five days. Ironically, it didn’t rain a single day on the jobsite.

The new asphalt roof will not only keep the homeowners safe against the elements and restore their comfort of living, but also provide them an incredible curb appeal for years to come.

For their work on the Topsail Residence project, Reliant Roofing received the Quality Asphalt Roofing Case-Study (QARC) Silver Award from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA).

Each year, ARMA seeks the most beautiful, affordable and reliable asphalt roofing systems in North America. The Topsail Residence showcases how asphalt roofing provides durability and reliability in the face of harsh weather, while also providing aesthetically stunning designs.

ARMA is now accepting low and steep-slope asphalt roofing projects completed in 2018 for its 2019 Awards Program. Roofing professionals may submit multiple submissions, and there is no fee to enter. The program recognizes projects that exhibit innovation, performance and beauty, and which lead the way in roofing breakthroughs, such as advanced weather protection, green roofing or unique system design. The submission deadline in December 31, 2018.

For more information about asphalt roofing systems or to learn more about ARMA’s Awards Program, visit asphaltroofing.org.