The Wilkerson Project: From Emergency Leaks to a Lasting Roof Solution
When the homeowners of the Wilkerson Project first contacted M3 Roofing, they weren’t looking for a full roof replacement. They were simply trying to stop multiple leaks that had begun appearing throughout their home.
What started as a repair call quickly revealed a much larger issue.
The home had an aging slate tile roof, one of the most durable and premium roofing materials available. Slate tile is known for its beauty and longevity, often lasting for decades. However, while the tile itself can outlast most roofing systems, the underlayment beneath it cannot.
The home had a poorly installed stone-coated steel roofing system that had begun failing over time. While stone-coated steel roofs can perform well when installed correctly, improper installation and deteriorating underlayment beneath the system eventually led to water intrusion throughout the home.
Over time, moisture began penetrating through vulnerable areas of the roof structure, causing leaks to appear in multiple locations throughout the property.
The situation became severe.
To make matters even more urgent, one of the active leaks was occurring in the baby’s room. With four children living in the home, the family needed a solution quickly.
A Project Delayed by Unexpected Historic Restrictions
The homeowners selected a new roofing system and moved forward with replacing the roof. They chose a modern medium-profile concrete tile roofing system designed to provide long-term durability, performance, and a refreshed appearance for the property.
The roof itself spans approximately 55 squares, nearly 5,500 square feet, making it a large and complex residential roofing project.
However, what should have been a standard permitting process quickly turned into a challenge no one expected.
Although the home itself was not classified as historic, the land the property sat on carried a historical designation. This triggered an unexpected historical review process that delayed permitting for nearly two months.
The delay came from concerns surrounding the trees and landscaping on the property. Historical reviewers initially believed additional permits were needed, even though no trees were being removed or altered as part of the roofing work.
“Rather than sitting back and waiting, the M3 Roofing team took a proactive approach.”
We contacted the city directly, communicated with the permit clerks, worked with the historical department, clarified the scope of work, and pushed the project forward. Once the city understood that no historical landscaping would be impacted, approval was granted so the project could finally begin.
Working Through the Rain to Protect the Home
Once construction started, another challenge appeared.
As the old roofing system was being removed, additional weak areas of the roof began revealing themselves. This is something homeowners often do not realize about failing roofs: a roofing system works as one connected system. When one section is disturbed during replacement, surrounding failing areas may begin showing signs of damage as well.
The existing roof had already reached the end of its lifespan.
During the tear-off phase, South Florida rain moved into the area. Normally, roofing crews temporarily stop work during rain events to secure the roof and wait for conditions to improve.
But this situation was different.
The homeowner already had active leaks throughout the house, and rainwater continued entering the property. Instead of stopping for the day, the homeowner asked the crew to continue working so the home could finally be made watertight.
The M3 Roofing team pushed forward through the rain, working carefully and efficiently to install the new tile underlayment system as quickly as possible.
That decision made the difference.
Once the underlayment was installed, the roof became watertight again. Even after more rain arrived, water no longer entered the home.
A Roof Built for the Future
Today, the Wilkerson Project stands as more than just a roof replacement. It represents proactive problem-solving, communication with the city, urgency during emergency conditions, and a commitment to protecting homeowners when they need it most.
The new medium-profile concrete tile roofing system is designed to provide long-term durability and protection for decades to come, giving this family peace of mind after years of ongoing leaks and roofing issues.