very steep roof pitch decided to pull my ladder up on the the roof to reach an area wear I could see from the ground or get up to from the eave. Suprise Suprise
Greetings fellow Pennsyltuckian,
…looks like the shingles were fastened too high and they are doing the slide, what gravity has started the wind will finish. I would suspect that the entire roof is incorrectly nailed, hope you advised a thorough exam of the entire roof.
There were so many issues with the roof coverings that I surely recommended a qualified roofing contractor to come and evaluate, repair and or, replace as needed.
Crawled out a window to inspect this second story porch roof.
Braver man than I
I live in snow country and try to make sure I miss nothing But No way am I going to risk any thing to do that Inspection.
I have a 25 power scope on a try pod and If I can not see it with that I write it up snow covered not visible and move on .
Roy Cooke
I never go on a 2 story roof. Will only go on 1 story if not too steep. I’m not risking death for $300. The issues I saw in the pic, I think I could have seen with binoculars.
My philosophy is I don’t have to find every roof defect. Once I’ve found one, I refer it to a roofer and he can find the rest.
Roof was flat and not a problem.
I will agree to that 100%.
It is not worth it.
Marcel:) 
[quote=jfunderburk]
I never go on a 2 story roof. Will only go on 1 story if not too steep. I’m not risking death for $300. The issues I saw in the pic, I think I could have seen with binoculars.
My philosophy is I don’t have to find every roof defect. Once I’ve found one, I refer it to a roofer and he can find the rest./quote
Absolutely right Joe, just find one little thing and now it is the Roofers referral problem.
I will not climb a 4 in 12 pitch roof covered with snow. Ice under the snow can make your wife a nice widow.
Marcel 
I should fill in the blanks!!!
The roof was not visible from the ground with any method, eye’s or binoculars. It was not safe to set up a ladder and inspect from the eave’s due to ice in the driveway. Porch had obvious problems and the only way to get a decent picture for me was to step out of the window and get two quick shots, which by the way were important to the inspection.
Please let it be known, I don’t walk roof either, unless I feel safe, which I did.
I know my limits and don’t exceed them!
[quote=mcyr]
[quote=jfunderburk]
I never go on a 2 story roof. Will only go on 1 story if not too steep. I’m not risking death for $300. The issues I saw in the pic, I think I could have seen with binoculars.
My philosophy is I don’t have to find every roof defect. Once I’ve found one, I refer it to a roofer and he can find the rest.
[/quote
Absolutely right Joe, just find one little thing and now it is the Roofers referral problem.
I will not climb a 4 in 12 pitch roof covered with snow. Ice under the snow can make your wife a nice widow.
Marcel [/quote]
Marcel: as soon as you find one little thing you defer it??
If you find an open junction box in the basement do you defer the whole electrical system to a licenced electrician??
I’ve gone on two roofs as a home inspector. Both were flat roofs. The first one was accessible from the lookout. Just take the interior stairs up to the lookout, open the door, and you’re on the roof.
The second one was today. :shock: Just walk around to the side of the house and walk onto the roof. It also was a flat roof.
I do what Joe does, once I’ve found one problem that needs a licensed roofing contractor, I don’t need to find anymore. I’ll still look to see what all I can find from the ground, ladders, neighboring properties, etc., but the fact of the matter is that further evaluation by a licensed roofing contractor is required, and California considers him smarter than me due to his licensing stature, so I’m not going to try to do all of his job anyway. He makes more money than I do, so let him get up there and roam around, cause more damage, and possibly fall off and get injured or die. Not for me, and I even have experience as a roofing contractor in Texas. But I don’t have life insurance or AD&D insurance as a home inspector to be walking around on someone else’s roof.
[quote=prussell]
I defer it only when it is warranted to do so.
I check the condition at the roofs edge and whatever else I can see with binoculars.
That is enough to tell me the average condition without climbing ice and snow covered roof.
Marcel
I may take more of a chance than others but I agrre with the statement that just because I find 1 thing I “defer”. When you have your client and their realtor (who you ended up seeing more than once) just to quickly identify 1 problem and defer? I am looking also the extent of the repairs if possible due to the client and realtor wanting to know if it maybe a large issue to go to the bargaining table with. I feel even for $300 if I find a small problem that leads me to investigate even more justifing maybe why I may defer.
It’s very easy for me to see 1 or 2 situations with the wiring yet just to stop my electrical part of the inspection because I defered, your probably right in covering our butts but I still continue with MY standards of giving my best. Yet I do agree on what your saying, and I see your point, I guess I’m just too new at this HI stuff yet.
Brian, I didn’t mean to make it sound like I quit looking after I find one blown off shingle tab. I still inspect the roof as thoroughly as possible (same goes for electric panels, etc.). But in the back of my brain, I’m saying to myself, “Self, you’re covered now, since you’re going to be recommending a roofer make necessary repairs.”
I totally agree, learning so much in the feild, and extremly alot from others on this message board. thanks
Exactly!
Brian,
Your not too new to this stuff yet. I walk every roof I can get on. Granted, it is a liitle easier down here in Florida to get up on most roofs. Inspecting them from the ground just does not do service to my customers (I know many of you disagree with this), but how do you find loose shingles and tiles, or exposed nails if you do not walk the roof. I have been on many a roof that look good from the ground, but when I get up on them, I find over half the roof tiles are loose. Our clients are paying us to tell them the condition fo the roof, not just that there is one known area of damage and defer to a roofer. If we do that, why are we insepcting the roof at all. Most roofs will alway have some deficiency.
***I never go on a 2 story roof. Will only go on 1 story if not too steep. I’m not risking death for $300. ***
Everyone needs to read ths, then re-read it. This statement is the most thought provoking, on-point, best advice I have probably heard on this message board for quite a while.
Anyone who has taken my CWS course has heard me say this, almost verbatim.
OUR LIVES ARE WORTH FAR MORE THAN WHAT WE CHARGE FOR AN INSPECTION.
PLEASE NEVER FORGET IT.
Thanks, Mr. Joe !