From Tim Kanak
Roofing field notes
Practical answers about the details that shape a roof repair, replacement or maintenance plan.
Explore roof assemblies, water management and project decisions, with explanations for South Florida property owners and building teams. For a property-specific recommendation, the roof and project requirements need to be assessed together.
Browse the complete roofing library · Discuss your roof with Perkins
Latest field notes
Tile roof nail holes after lifted repairs
Understand tile roof nail hole repair and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Bathroom exhaust ducts should not end in the attic
A duct that releases humid indoor air into the attic adds a separate moisture source.
· Tim Kanak
Reroofing over lightweight insulating concrete
Assess existing lightweight insulating concrete before choosing retained areas, removal boundaries and a commercial reroof attachment system.
· Tim Kanak
Roof tiles sliding without obvious breakage
Understand sliding roof tiles and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Why more attic fan power is not always the answer
An exhaust fan needs a matching intake path; increasing the fan size does not create one.
· Tim Kanak
Lightweight concrete versus structural roof concrete
Distinguish lightweight insulating concrete from the structural roof deck before comparing replacement assemblies or repair proposals.
· Tim Kanak
Tile roof sidelap and interlocking joints
Understand roof tile sidelap and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Painting soffit vents can reduce their open area
Paint can bridge small perforations and screens, reducing a vent's usable openings.
· Tim Kanak
Concrete roof decks and moisture planning
Plan concrete roof deck preparation and moisture evaluation before approving insulation, adhesives or a replacement membrane.
· Tim Kanak
Tile roof rake edges and wind exposure
Understand tile roof rake edge and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Attic ventilation when an addition divides the attic
An addition can create separate cavities that do not communicate with the original ventilation system.
· Tim Kanak
Steel roof decks: what reroofing can uncover
Prepare for concealed steel roof deck conditions with a documented investigation, structural review responsibilities and repair allowance.
· Tim Kanak
Foam attachment versus mortar on roof tiles
Understand roof tile foam versus mortar and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Adding roof ventilation to a short-ridge hip roof
A short ridge can constrain the available exhaust area; roof shape must be considered alongside attic floor area.
· Tim Kanak
Roof vapor retarders and interior humidity
Separate interior moisture concerns from roof leaks and ask for an assembly-specific vapor retarder decision before reroofing.
· Tim Kanak
Why tile roof channels must stay open
Understand blocked tile roof water channels and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
What attic baffles do at the eaves
Baffles preserve an airflow channel and separate incoming air from insulation at the roof edge.
· Tim Kanak
Fleece-back roof membranes: questions before choosing
Review fleece-back roof membranes with questions about the substrate, adhesive, preparation and complete roof assembly.
· Tim Kanak
Tile roof headlap and exposed tile length
Understand roof tile headlap and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Blocked soffit vents beneath blown insulation
Insulation can obstruct the intended intake path while the exterior vent still looks open.
· Tim Kanak
Adhered versus attached commercial roof membranes
Compare adhered and mechanically attached roof membranes by deck condition, building use and the complete specified assembly.
· Tim Kanak
Efflorescence on concrete roof tiles
Understand white deposits concrete roof tiles and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Why two attic exhaust systems can interfere
A nearby exhaust opening may become an intake path instead of drawing air from the eaves.
· Tim Kanak
Roof insulation joints and replacement scope
Compare roof insulation replacement proposals with a clear layer diagram, joint layout and record of concealed work.
· Tim Kanak
Tile roof battens and drainage paths
Understand tile roof battens and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Net free vent area versus the size of a vent
The opening visible from outside is not the same as the unobstructed ventilation area published for a product.
· Tim Kanak
Low-slope roof cover boards: what owners are buying
Understand commercial roof cover boards, their place in the assembly and the details owners should compare before approving a proposal.
· Tim Kanak
Tile roof bird stops and open eaves
Understand tile roof bird stops and the details to discuss with a roofer before choosing repairs or replacement.
· Tim Kanak
Free estimate
Have a question about your roof?
Share the property address and the issue you are seeing so Perkins can discuss the next step.