Challenge
Like thousands of others, this two-story composition shingle roof in Victoria, Texas suffered the wrath of Hurricane Harvey when the storm came ashore in late August of 2017. Our company was a referral to the homeowner and we helped process an insurance claim for wind damage and structural restoration prior to re-roofing.
Victoria is a county seat and is located at the intersection of three major U.S. highways. Victoria is about 30 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico and is known colloquially as the South Texas Crossroads. The last major hurricanes to directly impact Victoria were Claudette in 2003 and Hurricane Carla in 1961.
This particular roof was not only steep and complex, but the flat porch and walkway add-ons connecting the house to the originally detached garage concealed significant major structural damage.
A city of Victoria permit was obtained prior to job start. Compliance with Texas Department of Insurance Windstorm code is not mandatory at this time in Victoria County, Texas, however at Ernie Smith & Sons Roofing all roofing products are installed to meet possible future enforcement of TWIA regulations.
Solution
Serious water damage to a roof’s framing members and decking caused by faulty installation can lie hidden for years and is oftentimes made manifest only after removing the existing roofing components. Such was the case with two prominent flat sections on this 29 year old home in Victoria, Texas.
Maximum speed and skill are a must when making these types of unexpected repairs, as the home becomes instantaneously unprotected and significantly more vulnerable to the elements.
A post haste restoration project consisted of a total of four 2 x 8 x 8 rafters attached (‘scabbed’) to existing members and the replacement of ten sheets of existing ½” CDX plywood decking. Flat roofing material included steel gravel guard and fiberglass base sheet coated with a polymer modified cold applied adhesive capped with CertainTeed brand Flintlastic® SA SBS modified bitumen roofing membrane.
The remaining greater part of the home was high pitched, with materials consisting of new pre-painted steel drip edge, GAF StormGuard® leak barrier valley underlayment, GAF Cobra ridge vent, GAF felt buster roofing underlayment, and a Timberline HD Slate color shingle with matching GAF Royal Sovereignty ridge and cut-up GAF Pro Start starter shingles. (These are all key components of the Systems Plus Warranty offered by GAF.)
Project Summary
Operations Manager: Mark Smith
Service Representative: Josh Hiller
Scheduler: Jennifer Rubin
Project Supervisor: Luis Marin
