I would appreciate some comments on a reroof project by a local roofing company.

The property has a sloped roof in the main house then a flat roof extension in the back. The sloped roof will get shingles and the flat roof will be hot mopped with asphalt top layer.

Today was demolition, finished all of the flat deck, tincap of the sloped roof portion, wait for inspection of the tin cap.

I had lots of leaks where the sloped roof and the flat deck meet, lots of rotted wood (from leaks, from termites) in that area. Here are some work in progress pictures.









My first question is they applied some silver colored reflective sealants on along the seams of the asphalt roof covering. I noticed there are some seams that's not 100% sealed closed. When I inquired about this the foreman told me they do not need to be sealed because there are two layers of felt paper under it and two layers of hot mop and it will not leak. So these seams are OK?





As for the shingled roof, can someone explain to me what is actually the waterproofing layer?

They have two layers of #30 felt down, with thousands of tin caps. Is this water tight?




When they put shingles down, there will be another thousand nails penetrating the shingles and the felt paper. My old shingles leaked where nails went through. Now I am doing the same again. How long will this roof be leak proof? The roofer said he can paint over the entire shingles roof with a sealant for an additional cost, but somehow I think this is a bad idea.

Finally, I walked up to the roof with a pair of shoes that's one week old. I was careful to not step on any tar or sealant but I think I stepped on paper that someone else had previously stepped on and he had tar on his shoes. Now my shoes have sand and dirt glued to it because of some tar. Is there anything I can use to clean the bottom of my shoes? Acetone?

 

The norm is 1 layer of #15 felt so 2 layers of #30 ought to be a lot better. There is no way I know of to install shingles other than to nail them down. If you have leaks at the nails it's probably because the shingles are way past their lifespan. I wouldn't want a coating applied over the new shingles. The void at the seams probably isn't a big deal but I'd want it sealed up anyway. Acetone would clean your shoes but I'd try something not as harsh first so I didn't damage the shoe. Mineral spirits or gas should work.

 

I can't believe you have shingles on a roof with such a flat pitch. The shingles I use specify using a sealing membrane layer underneath pitches less than 4:12. The membrane seals around the nails which tar paper doesn't. They specifically state they should not be installed on pitches less than 2:12. It looks like your roof is right on that borderline and certainly could do with a waterproofing membrane.

 

Isn't a 3/12 pitch the minimum for shingles? I was assuming that is what that is but maybe not.

 

Then why apply it in the first place? That's the snarky question that would be in my head. The question I would ask would be what is the purpose of the reflective sealant and does the manufacturer allow gaps. If not, please fix it per manufacturer directions.

Doesn't Florida have some type of stricter codes due to hurricanes? Might inquire with the AHJ regarding roof requirement to become better informed if/when you talk again with the contractor.