Water from gutters should not discharge onto a roof below as a means of transfer to the next gutter on the lower roof. Dormers that have gutters without end caps that allow water to run down along the edges of the dormer can cause an area of localized excess wear on the shingle material. It also puts the edges of the dormer at higher risk for water penetration. The risk for water penetration is increased if there are any problems with the step flashing. Finally, the area will stay wet longer and can be a location for moss growth which can cause premature wear of the shingles especially if the sun is not able to sufficiently dry the area (like the north facing side of the roof).
The gutter on the rear of home is full of debris and should be cleaned out to ensure proper drainage of rain water from the roof to prevent moisture damage to the sheathing,soffit,fascia and wall structure. Clogged gutters can also cause water pooling next to foundation and can contribute to moisture penetration to the basement.
the article on attic pull down ladders has made me aware of the potential hazards of an homeowner installed pull down ladder and that caution should be used when accessing an attic. An inspector should note any defects related to the installation in his or her report.
hi i’m Perry. Taking this course.
This photo is a representation of a poor flashing installation where the roof intersects a vertical masonry sidewall. The flashing does not appear to have the appropriate step and counter flashing. At the very least this flashing should be sealed using the appropriate sealant to help prevent further water intrusion between the flashing and brick. Since sealants over time tend to expand, contract and crack this should not become the permanent solution but only a temporary fix until the correct flashing installation is made. A qualified roofing contractor should be recommended to fix this issue.
In this image you can see that the drip edge is installed and in good condition. Also you can see that there is little to no debris or aggregate in the gutter, which is a sign that the roof is not near the end of its life. You can also see that the shingles are engineered shingles, which conforms to the roofing requirement in Colorado that roofs have a 50 year warranty.
I have recently read the article “Doing Damage During an Inspection: It’s Your Job” found within the Library of Inspection Articles. It is within the standards of practice to operate items by using the using normal operating controls under normal conditions. If operating these controls leads to the malfunction of a component we, as inspectors should not be apologetic but rather pleased the malfunction occurred during testing rather than the client discovering the problem in the future. Anytime the inspector can find an issue, no matter the circumstance, it can always become an opportunity to educate the client.
I read the article Roof and Drainage System Replacement or Maintenance. It covers some basics such as a three tab shingle carries a 15 to 20 year warranty. Also the minimum slope of a three tab shingle roof should be 4:12. They also discuss how home owners should clean their gutters twice a year, and how to fix sagging gutters and downspouts with screws.
The importance of gutter maintenance and valley cleansing is often overlooked. Valleys typically carry the burden of discharging water from multiple roof planes. If the velocity of water is impeded, the potential for water damage to the substrate below as well as the service life of the roofing system is affected. Furthermore, when there is a copious amount of organic debris on the roof, it is usually accompanied by too-close tree limbs. This combination can be costly in high wind speed areas.
Boost Your Inspection Business with Truck Signage:
Every inspector should invest in truck signage to advertise his/her inspection business. Given the massive exposure gained just by driving around, it really is a marketing no-brainer. Make sure that your sign is of high-quality. Effective marketing materials are not only impeccably rendered, but they also follow certain principles of design. Be a courteous and conservative driver. Dont speed or tailgate such that other drivers may find your driving aggressive. Since youll have your contact information splashed all over your vehicle, you may create negative consequences with your driving that will hurt you personally and professionallyand possibly legally, as well.
I was riding along with an inspector and this the roof at our home inspection location. As you can see very easily from the ground the roof is need of repair. WE chose not to walk the roof so as not to further damage the roof and assume responsibility for any further damage. The cupping is the first very apparent visual observations. As we climbed the ladder to inspect further it was easy to observe moisture intruding under the shingles. Along with the poor quality of the shingles we could see the underlayment was missing in some areas. I noted the condition of the roof on the inspection sheet and made a note to have a roofing contractor out for a more complete inspection.
The image of waterproofing a roof had a lot of use information. It showed how to overlap the materials on the main part of the roof. It also showed how a separate material is used to cover the rake areas and the valley areas. There was also a skylight and a chimney that required step flashing and counter flashing. The front deck has a lowed sloped roof that may need additional protection from melting snow. Always check codes before installing new roofs.
This picture is taken of my home. It was built in 2007 and everything in the picture is original to the home. The roof is in good shape with no visible cracking or damage to the asphalt shingles that I found during a walk around of the property. The asphalt shingles are a tab system installed with two layers that sat a top a drip edge around the perimeter of the house. The house is ventilated with ridge and soffit vents as well as 2 gable vents on the front elevation of the house. The shingles were installed with an overlap over the drip edge over the gutters. In this particular picture, there is open valley flashing installed as well. The gutters are clear of debris and nailed to the fascia of the house. The downspouts are connected to the house, free of damage and debris, with water being drained and carried away via an underground system.
In the article, “Roof and Drainage System Maintenance and Replacement”, it gives the homeowner a list of keys to look for if they may think it’s time to replace the roof or gutters and tips if they decide to replace. When looking at the roof a few things to consider are the age (15-20 years) on most asphalt roofs, deterioration, the number cosmetic flaws, and storm damage. With regards to gutters, the homeowners want to be aware of rust or corrosion, sagging, disconnection from the fascia or side of the home with downspouts, missing nails, leaks from any point, and saturated soil within 5 feet of the foundation. When it’s time to replace talk with a roofing contractor. Some contractors offer to replace the gutters and roof as a package to help save on the cost. Consider the warranty of the roofing material and installation. Some questions to consider are how long does the warranty cover wind damage, algae growth, and other issues? Does the warranty have an intro period or is coverage prorated at the time of install? Does the warranty cover demo, disposal, install, or just material? This information provided by the article would be very helpful to homeowners and essential for home inspectors to educate them on.
In addition to the general wear to the roofing material, this roof has lost several of the shingles from their tabs, and repairs appear to have already been performed in other locations. This roof was in such poor condition that daylight could be seen through it from inside the attic.
The chimney cap seen here is cracked and broken and a brick is missing from the SE corner. Recommend that the cap is repaired and sealed and that the missing brick is replaced. A weather cap is also recommended to help prevent moisture and animal intrusions into the flue.
The image shows a gutter improperly discharging onto a roof. There is no end cap and water can freely exit the gutter causing localized shingle wear and an increased potential for leakage at the edges of the dormer. A downspout an extension are recommended.
This is a picture or the roof outside of a window that is covered with snow. Due to the conditions being unsafe to walk on the roof was inspected from a window, the roofs edge and from the ground. The roof structure was also inspected vie the access panel into the attic. It is recommended to reinspect the roof covering once the snow has melted to determine the roof coverings condition
I read an article on kickout flashing. Kickout flashing is a special type of flashing typically made of metal that diverts rainwater away from the cladding and into the gutter. This helps to protect the siding, or wall cladding from water damage.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.