While inspecting the roof from the ground level, I noticed the gutter above entry door had improper pitch. Rain water cannot drain toward the downspout and overflows from the gutter. Evidence of water intrusion was noted at soffit in front of 1st floor half bathroom window. Damaged soffit and wood decay fungi at fascia board were observed.
I read the article about the cool roofs. I learned a roof coating or a single ply roofing can increase lifetime of roofing materials and offer energy savings at the same time. I do all my inspections in Florida and this kind of roof is rarely seen. As they reflect the sun, they keep house’s interior cooler and the building is more energy-efficient. I will research and find more information about this.
It was observed that moss was growing on asphalt shingles. This can lead to deterioration of roof decking due to water being leached under the shingles by the moss. It is recommended that the roof surface be cleaned of moss growth by a professional as part of a regular maintenance plan. This is typically inexpensive and easily completed on most shingle roofs. Due to the amount and size of moss growth, it is highly recommended that a qualified roofer be contacted for further evaluation of the roof surface.
It was observed that moss was growing on asphalt shingles. This can lead to deterioration of roof decking due to water being leached under the shingles by the moss. It is recommended that the roof surface be cleaned of moss growth by a professional as part of a regular maintenance plan. This is typically inexpensive and easily completed on most shingle roofs. Due to the amount and size of moss growth, it is highly recommended that a qualified roofer be contacted for further evaluation of the roof surface.
Sidewalls should be checked for kickout flashing. The flashing should be installed correctly and should extend four inches up the wall from the roof deck and at least 4 inches out along the roof deck.If the roof is metal or rubber membrane, continuous flashing should be used, rather than pieces of step flashing.
The valley flashing in this image is dinged, but the damage is only cosmetic, so it is adequate for its purpose. The roofing material is worn and has lost some substrate, but it still functional and does not yet need to be replaced.
Digits and Hyphens in Inspection Reports
by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko
I will try and remember these rules 100% of the time.I see where 5 6 inch nails may be confusing. Not that finding a 56-inch nails would be easy. For clarification five 6-inch is visually more clear.
upon my inspection of the front side of the house from the ground level I can see that the roof is never there is very little shingle granuals in the gutters and the shingles have no cracking. this roof tells me that it has been replaced in the last 3-5 years. The gutters are in great condition and are clean with no debri in them all gutter spikes are secure.
Doing a ant inspection it is important to be able to tell the difference between a ant and a termite. the major differences is that the ant has a thin waist and the termite has a broad waste, also the ant has wings that are not the same size and shape as the termite are.
In this picture we can see that this home’s soffit and fascia appear to be in good condition. We can also see that the gutter and downspout appear to be in good condition, though a closer inspection would be needed to ensure that there are no blockages.
Disposal waste venting boot looks good no nails showing Tight seal around PVC. Why the PVC has damage, probably due to someone snaking the disposal waste to clear clog,the damage does not affect the seal. No reason to even make note in inspection report.
I chose the image titled ‘Areas for Waterproof Underlayment.’ This image helps to give a better idea of which areas require the waterproofing barrier, such as around the perimeter of the roof, on valleys and ridges, as well as around roof penetrations like skylights and vents. It also shows the front porch area using the waterproof underlayment for the entire surface area because of the lower slope.
Downspout Drainage Control Essay
Whenever splash blocks, extension tubes or other water management devices are missing, drainage from the roof is misdirected and ends up all too often against foundation walls where the soil becomes saturated and unstable. Erosion and soil compaction are the result, leading in many cases to cracked foundation walls and settlement conditions. The more runoff that can be diverted away from the foundation, the more erosion condition and moisture intrusion can be averted.
Sagging Gutters Essay
Sagging gutters are most often easily repaired by replacing the original fasteners with better ones. Gutter screws hold much better than smooth spikes, and adding more brackets can help to beef up the fastening system. A sagging gutter can usually be straightened and set back in place with improved fasteners, if the fascia is in good condition. Keep gutters clean and unclogged to reduce the extra weight that could cause them to pull loose from the fascia.
This photo shows a standard gutter that has a soot build up in the bottom full of gravel from the shingles. Given the image this can mean one of two things; either the roof is reaching the expectancy of its life or this gravel was shed during the installation of a new roof. Both of which must be documented. If a roof is near the life expectancy then there will be plenty of signs to show normal wear or excess wear due to mother nature.
Aluminum siding-
This material has been around since the early 1940’s for use in construction. Once used for residential purposes, this material proved itself in longevity but not in aesthetic strength. This material is easily dented but with modern modifications of foam backing, the siding has become more rigid in the sense. The siding should be kept above ground if installed properly and if oxidation has occurred then the material must be stripped and cleaned before repainting. Any areas of siding that are damaged or dented can be tough to repair or replace due to the lack of accessibility.
This is a photo of chimney. You can see that the someone has tried to seal the flashing probably due to a leak. It is very messy which is a clue that further investigation is needed. The bottom flashing was not tied in with the brick.
I read the article if a home inspector misses something. It was a topic I am worried about since I am new to the industry. Managing customer expectations is very important and it is a good idea to have them sign the contract before the inspection takes place.
Asphalt shingles over shed roof at apartment complex. Headwall flashing appears adequately flashed and counter flashed. Rain gutter is full of vegetation and requires cleaning. Downspout is continuous from roof above and terminates in an underground storm water drainage system.
I read the Mastering Roof Inspections: Accessing the Roof, Part 1, by Kenton Shepard and Nick Gromicko. I learned the maximum roof pitches for inspectors to walk as follows:
asphalt shingles: 8&12 for single-story homes, and 6&12 for two-story homes;
wood roofs: 6&12; and
metal roofs: 5&12.