Roof inspection findings"
3 tab asphalt shingle.
The roof is showing granule loss over the entire surface. There is a nail pop just below and to the left of the roof vent. Recommend Nail be reset. Plumbing stack boot flashing has a nail pop on lower right side. Recommend, resetting nail and apply sealant. Chimney flashing is covered with tar and and appears to be degrading. Recommend resealing the flashing by a qualified roofing specialist. There is no rain cap present on chimney. Recommend a rain cap be installed.
This is the chimney of a house in my neighborhood. The masonry itself appears to be in good condition and I observed no signs of spalling or other deterioration. The flashing is properly installed with kickouts placed on both sides of chimney on the roof side. The rain cover is in good condition with no signs of rusting or other damage.
Defective roof covering. Roof was damaged by a falling tree. Shingles, drip edge, underlayment and sheathing were all damaged, water damage to sheathing a roof structure will continue if not fixed. Recommend a licensed roofing contractor to estimate repairs or replacement.
The article I read was inspecting a deck by Nick Gromicko. First of all it was interesting to me that most deck failures are the result of the ledger board pulling away rather than the deck surface itself failing. I was also surprised to see that the failure rate wasn’t different between homeowners and contractors. I then went on to learn several things about deck construction that as a contractor I had not known. Very informative. I will review this again when I next have a place with a deck to inspect.
This is a picture of the eaves and gutter system. The gutter fasteners are starting the pop out. This is a material defect and I would recommend further evaluation by a roofing professional. There are drip edges in place and properly installed.
There is a cracked shingle on the upslope side of the east chimney. The shingle has cracked and is missing the broken off part. There is also an exposed nail head which can lead to possible water penetration. I recommend having a qualified roofer repair.
My essay is on a picture from the Illustration Gallery. I chose the Asphalt Shingle Nailing Diagram. The proper nailing should be at least a 3/8" head and nailed straight in. An under driven nail can cause nail pops, an over driven nail penetrates into the shingle and both can cause water penetration. Also if you nail at an angle you have inadequate anchorage.
The roof has 2-3 cracked, chipped or broken tiles. These are areas were water can enter past the roof tiles and onto the roof underlayment. Continuous exposure to water can break down the underlayment and eventually penetrate the roof sheathing and ceiling areas causing damage and water staining. All tiles damaged above the area of tile overlap (approximately 3 inches from bottom of tile) should be replaced. Recommend further evaluation and repair by a qualified person or licensed roofing contractor.
This picture shows a new cedar shake roof installed with open valleys and exposed copper flashing. There is also copper flashing cut into the chimneys as well as copper gutters and downspouts. The chimneys also have well executed caps and nicely done brickwork. No defects here, nicely done all around.
It is important to closely inspect the roof sheathing when doing a home inspection. The inspector should look for signs of moisture intrusion, roof covering fastener penetration and sagging panels. A close look around roof penetrations such as chimneys and vent stacks can also reveal problems in the roof system.
On the roof covering the front porch, it was observed that the roof is metal over asphalt 3 tab shingles. The nails are exposed and not sealed, There are nails not hammered flush to the surface and sticking up approximately 1/2 inch. Consider having a roof contractor inspecting and correcting.
From the gallery I seen pictures of Chimney clearances. The one I was inspecting was the chimney that was less than 10 feet from the peak and the overall height of the chimney was over 3 feet. The height of the chimney was more than two feet above the peak as well.
I read the article "Inspecting Underlayment on Roofs. It is interesting that in some wind events the roof covering can blow and the underlayment can stay on if plastic caps were used as fasteners. Also, the plastic caps can better fasten the underlayment until the builders put the roof covering on. Both scenarios protect the house from water intrusion while the roof covering is off.
In this example of a roof penetration, the heads of the fasteners holding the turbine vent are sealed to protect them from the elements and future corrosion. The shingles around the penetration are in good shape and there are no signs of water damage or pooling.
There are multiple types of underlayment it is not necessary to report on the type. However, understanding the different types and install procedures may help determine a weak link in the water run off systems. Staples are not recommended on synthetic underlayment because it is not self sealing. In high wind areas the use of plastic capped nails is recommended along edges to discourage tearing.
The job of the roof is straightforward - protect the rest of the building (and it’s inhabitants) from the elements, especially moisture. As wood decay can happen with only 20% saturation, it does not take a lot of or a very large leak to weaken a home’s entire structure. This is why the inspection of the roof system is so integral when completing a home inspection.
This picture shows a second story roof fascia board that is exposed with the siding covering missing. This will allow the board to be weathered and to deteriorate at a faster rate than if protected by the siding covering protection properly installed. The exposed unprotected fascia board can also allow water penetration to enter the structure. This is a structural defect that can cause considerable expense if not addressed. Recommend a qualified contractor.
I read the Roofing Underlayment Types article. During an inspection I typically dont get to see the underlayment. I learn the overlap requirements for different slopes, types used, common defects and fastening types. When I’m inspecting a roof I have only seen one type which is asphalt-saturated felt, but will be able to identify the other types now and their defects.
Inspection of the roof and attic areas of a home can involve the discovery of pests. Pests can cause damage to the roofing system not to mention hazards to the inspector or home owner. Pests include birds, insects, rodents and other animals that invade your home for safety from the weather, other predators and to raise their young. These pests can attack when threatened stinging or biting in protection of themselves or their young. The home inspector should look for potential areas of entry into the home prior to climbing on the roof or entering the attic to prepare for an unexpected meeting with one of these pests. Some pests are known to carry diseases or other hazards that can enter the body through biting, stinging, inhaling or absorbing through the mucus membranes. The home inspector should take precautions when entering these areas by using adequate protection gear, such as gloves, respirators, protective glasses or goggles and clothing.
As I observe the roof from walking around the back of the house I notice missing shingles. The rest of the roof looked to be in good shape on my first walk around. This side of the house has a north western exposure and is subjected to an abundant amount of wind on a regular basis. The roof material is a 3 tab asphalt shingle. This side is the only side observed having missing shingles. This is a defect and advised client to have repaired by a qualified contractor.
