Watch this preview of InterNACHI’s free, online video course as the pros at Ivy Tech show you how to properly inspect the flashing at a masonry chimney!
Take the free, online “Inspecting the Masonry Chimney Flashing Online Course.”
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A member just sent in a great essay response! Check it out:
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Choose one inspection article from the Library of Inspection Articles that relate to flashing. Or you may choose one illustration from the Illustration Gallery that directly relates to a chimney stack, a skylight, a dormer, an area where a sloped roof intersects with a chimney or house wall.
- Study the article or illustration.
- In the box below titled “Your Essay," write an essay that describes what you’ve learned from reading the article or studying the image.
Your essay must the following criteria:
- It must be written in English.
- It must be at least 40 words in length.
- It must be written at a minimum 4th-grade level.
- It must sufficiently comment upon the chosen article or illustration that is related to the main topics of this course.
This research and writing essay assignment is very similar to what a home inspector does during a home inspection--performing an inspection, researching, studying, making observations, evaluating, writing notes, formulating opinions, and communicating observations in written form.
Once you submit your essay, it will be posted to the InterNACHI Inspection Forum. If the essay does not meet the criteria, you'll be notified by email to rewrite the essay.
Please continue with the course after submitting your essay.
Essay: The Importance of Kickout Flashing in Home Construction by Nick Gromicko, CMI® and Kenton ShepardAfter reviewing the article on kickout flashing, I learned about its critical role in protecting homes from water damage. Kickout flashing, also called diverter flashing, ensures that rainwater is diverted away from walls and into gutters, preventing water from seeping into the building’s exterior walls. Missing or improperly installed kickout flashing can lead to water accumulation, causing significant structural damage, mold growth, and deterioration of materials.
The article highlighted specific problems, such as missing kickout flashing in areas where roofs intersect with walls or where gutters terminate near chimneys. Improper installations, like incorrect angles or modifications by homeowners, also reduce the effectiveness of kickout flashing. These observations emphasize the need for proper installation and maintenance.
From this, I understood the importance of identifying. evaluating and documenting potential issues during a home inspection. Ensuring kickout flashing is correctly installed not only protects the structural integrity of a home but also prevents costly repairs.
Great course! Learned a lot!