Certified Building Contractor CBC1265305 · Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1334811
Roof Tarping & Storm Damage, repaired or rebuilt in Key Biscayne, FL
Roof Tarping & Storm Repair for homes in Key Biscayne and the surrounding area — permitted, inspected and closed out. Free estimate.
Key Biscayne is a barrier island reached only by the Rickenbacker Causeway, and it was devastated by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, so a storm-damaged roof here is never a small problem. A blue tarp or shrink-wrap cover is only a temporary measure to keep water out until the permanent repair. That repair, whether a tile re-roof or structural work, typically needs a permit and inspections, and the cover itself is not the fix.
Final Touch Builders puts on temporary covers and then handles the permanent work under one roof. We photograph the damage before and after the cover goes on, write up a scope of everything the storm damaged, and then do the roof under our Florida Certified Roofing Contractor license and the structural and interior repairs under our Florida Certified Building Contractor license. The estimate is free.
Key Biscayne's housing mixes single-family homes with a large inventory of oceanfront and bayfront condominium towers, and many homes have flat or barrel-tile roofs. After a hurricane or tropical storm, wind can lift tile and flashing, and wind-driven rain can then soak decking, insulation and ceilings once the roof is open. Constant salt air and humidity make wet materials a bigger worry, because rot and mold set in quickly in this climate. For condo owners, much of the work runs through the association or building management rather than a single owner, so expect approvals to take extra coordination.
Permits, inspections and close-out in Key Biscayne
The permit path applies to the permanent repair, not to the temporary cover. Whether a tarp or shrink wrap needs a permit is up to the building department, so confirm with the department that handles Key Biscayne permits. For the permanent work, (1) a roof repair or re-roof and structural repairs typically need a permit, which we pull under our own certifications. (2) The usual sequence is permit application, work, in-progress inspections where the code requires them (such as fastening or framing while visible), then a final inspection; exact inspections vary, so verify with the building department. (3) Key Biscayne is in Miami-Dade County, inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so permanent roofing products need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). A cover is not a code-approved or wind-rated roof. (4) After the final inspection the permit is closed. Unpermitted or open permits can surface at sale, refinance or insurance renewal and may be cited by code enforcement. Our licenses, CBC1265305 and CCC1334811, can be verified on the Florida DBPR website. DBPR oversees the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Problems to watch for in Key Biscayne
Lifted or missing tile and flashing
Hurricane and tropical-storm wind can pull tile, shingles and flashing off a roof, leaving the layer underneath exposed to rain.
Fallen trees and limbs
A tree or heavy limb that lands on a house can break trusses, rafters and decking, and that damage usually needs a written scope before the permanent repair.
Wind-driven rain inside the house
Once the roof is open, rain can soak decking, insulation, ceilings and walls, which is a real concern in Key Biscayne's humid air.
Rot and mold in wet framing and drywall
Framing and drywall that stay wet can develop rot and mold, so the sooner the roof is covered and the damage assessed, the better.
A cover fastened the wrong way
A tarp fastened through the middle of the roof or stopped short of the ridge can let water in underneath it.
A cover left up too long
Sun, heat and wind wear a cover down the longer it stays up, which is why it should lead to the permanent repair rather than replace it.
Waiting on contractors after a widespread storm
After a storm that hits a whole region, contractors and materials are in demand, which is one more reason to get a scope and a plan in writing early.
What we do
- Blue tarp coversBlue polyethylene tarps fastened with wood battens along the edges and run over the ridge where the roof allows, as a temporary cover.
- Shrink-wrap roof coversPolyethylene film heat-shrunk tight to the roof, with fewer loose edges for wind to lift. Shrink wrap is designed to last up to about a year (a typical lifespan, not a promise), longer than a standard blue tarp.
- Photos and a written scopeWe photograph the damage before and after the cover goes on for your records and any insurance claim, then write a scope of the roof covering, decking, framing, fascia, ceilings and walls.
- Structural and interior repairFraming, ceilings and walls are repaired under our Florida Certified Building Contractor license, permitted and inspected.
- The new roof, closed outThe permanent roof is done under our Florida Certified Roofing Contractor license, with inspections scheduled and passed and the permit closed out at the end.
When to call
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and in Key Biscayne the busiest stretch is ahead of and during the season, especially August through October. Demand also rises in the winter months when seasonal residents return and want deferred repairs handled. A storm can damage a roof in any month, though: tarping is needed after hurricanes, tropical storms, severe thunderstorms and fallen trees. Call (954) 620-7812 or send a request through the quote form on this page, and we will take it from there with a free estimate and a written scope before work starts.
We serve Key Biscayne, including Mashta Island, Key Colony, Ocean Club, Cape Florida, the Harbor Drive area, the Crandon Park area, the Village Green area, Grand Bay and Virginia Key.
Roof Tarping in Key Biscayne: questions we hear
- Is a blue tarp or shrink wrap a permanent fix?
- No. Both are temporary covers until the permanent repair. Shrink wrap is designed to last up to about a year (a typical lifespan, not a promise), longer than a standard blue tarp, but neither replaces the repair.
- Does the permanent roof repair on Key Biscayne need a permit?
- A roof repair or re-roof and structural repairs typically need a permit from the building department. Confirm the details, and whether the temporary cover needs one, with the department that handles Key Biscayne.
- What roofing products are used on Key Biscayne roofs?
- Because Key Biscayne is in Miami-Dade County's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, permanent roofing products need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). A tarp or shrink wrap is not a product-approved roof.
- I live in a condo on the island. Who arranges the work?
- Much condo work is scheduled through the association or building management rather than individual owners. Check with your association first about approvals and who handles exterior and roof repairs.
- What should I do before the cover goes on?
- Photograph the damage from the ground or from inside, keep your records and talk to your insurer or agent. Do not climb onto the roof yourself.
Request a free roof tarping estimate in Key Biscayne
Tell us about the project. A state-certified contractor will get back to you.
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(954) 620-7812