Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In this photo (4 in 1) you can see that the inspection of this roof revealed that there maybe problems with the flashing at the chimney where it passes through the roof. You can also clearly see roof leaks in the attic space. This is a material defect and an action item that needs attention immediately. A licensed professional should be called to make repairs.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
There are multiple layers of roof installed. Conventional construction practices allow for no more than 2 layers of roofing. Multiple layers of shingles create a poor nailing substrate for the top layer. This can lead to problems with poorly secured shingles. Also, multiple layers of roofing can trap water around plumbing vents and other flashings. This can increase the risk of water infiltration. Contact a qualified roofing contractor for an evaluation and an estimate for replacement prior to closing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The Image titled, “Roof Leak: Point of Entry/ Path of intrusion” conveys the idea that water can and will follow the path of least resistance. The visible water damage and can manifest itself in a location that is far from the original point of entry.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
CHIMNEY STACK INSPECTION NOTES
Inspection for a Manufactured Chimney. Unable to physically access component but, we are able to perform visual inspection of 3 sides.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In the attached photo you will see a gutter downspout. The downspout has evidence of leaking at the first joint coming down. The gutter is dented and bent up pretty bad to where the joints do not fit well together, Causing water to leak and drip from the joint on the underside of the gutter.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read an article on downspouts for gutters, I learned that there are certain types of downspouts that are installed in the exterior walls, which seem to be very uncommon here in Florida. These downspouts are most commonly made of metal which after time will corrode resulting in mold or mildew, water damage and framing decay. These issues can go unnoticed for a significant amount of time due to being behind the exterior walls.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The topic i choose was in reference to thermal imaging on roofs. This method is used to pinpoint moisture on roofs to find leaks and fix mold. Because thermal imaging shows temperature, this make is easy to find exactly where the moisture is highest.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Spalling (brick and mortar deterioration) was observed in numerous areas of the chimney stack. The chimney stack is one of the most vulnerable structures on the roof when deteriorated. We recommend having the chimney stack re-pointed by a qualified mason or licensed general contractor within the contingency period.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After forming a corporation or limited liability company, a licensed home inspector needs to understand that the limited liability is an inherent purpose. However, the protection provided is not absolute.
In order to separate the individual from the company, a home inspector must take steps to reduce the risk that a court might pierce the corporate veil of the inspectors business entity.
These steps include the following:
-obtain a separate Employee Identification Number (EIN)
-open a separate bank account for the Corporation or LLC
-do not mix personal and business money
-file taxes in the name of the corporation or LLC
-title business property in the name of the business
-prepare meeting minutes of shareholders or owners
-utilize bylaws if there is more than one owner
-keep licenses and insurance isnt he name of the business
-make sure the public knows the business is a corporation of LLC and ensure to sign as representative of the corporation or LLC.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Chimney Inspection: Preventing collapse
Chimneys are one of the most structurally vulnerable components of the exterior of a house. Windstorms may cause an already weakened and vulnerable chimney to collapse causing a lot of damage to itself and other components of the roof, attic structure, living areas and fireplaces. It’s very important to check for signs of brick and mortar deterioration which is referred to as spalling- a simple way to do this is to lightly poke the mortar with a small screwdriver during the roof evaluation. The chimney also needs to be inspected for missing/insufficient lateral support, mechanical damage to the chimney, tilting or leaning, and chimney footing defects. In summary, it is very important to carefully inspect the chimney for signs of structural vulnerabilities and spalling and make the necessary recommendations to clients for repair or replacement.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose to look at a animated picture of chimney flashing. Particularly the step flashing, due to a visual practice inspection that I did upon the room of my own home. I noticed that my chimney lacks in step flashing and not only that but the counter flashing as well. This has lead to some major leaks around the chimney in the rainy season and needs attention right away.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Chimney flashing inspection. The step flashing appears to be installed correctly. But the counter flashing has some issues that need correcting. First it is falling off and will be a possible water entry point. Second it is not cut into the brick mortar for a secure install but just has a sealant holding the top part of the flashing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Roofing layers. When installing a new asphalt tile roof It is very important to remove the existing one before hand. If the new one is just put on top of the old there could be a few problems. Like not redoing all the flashing but just covering the original with could be possible water entry points under the surface. And also the fasteners not being long enough to be properly secure and could cause some shingles to come off.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
A visual inspection of the roof covering from the edge of south west valley of the roof (pictured)was performed. The roof covering was composed of laminate architectural asphalt shingles. The roof valley was closed-cut. Shingles were applied in an offset pattern with no signs of deterioration. The drip edge was properly installed.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article of roof styles was interesting to me. In my area of the country many of the roof styles discussed are not common. Gable, Hip and Clerestory styles are prevalent, but Conical, Gambrel and Bonnet are more rare. Each style presents unique challenges to the inspector.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Inspection of this roof revealed major material defect, visual observation of sagging and missing substrate,shingles, water and moss damage. This is causing structural damage including holes clear through and seen from inside exposing interior storage space causing damage to foundation and retaining walls as observed with cracked and deterioration of brick.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In shallow slope roofs 2:12 to 4:12 substrate should be overlapped 19 to create a even double laye across the entire roof, anything steeper than 4:14 can be overlapped 2 as the steep angle allows for better natural drainage. You will often see this i a steep slop at the top of a house and the lower levels may be different so check all slope angles for proper sheathing.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Chimney area initial picture:
The silver colored counter flashing which is flat along the side of the chimney directly in front of the photograph is impregnated into the mortar and seems to be installed properly down below the shingles. This flashing should direct water onto step flashing, which would direct it downward along the edge off the roof. I could not see the step flashing from this view. The counter flashing which we see, appears to be taken down all the way to the outside edge of the eve, but this was not visible in this photograph because of the leaves and debris. Behind the chimney where the upper slope of the roof meets the chimney, there is a cricket flashing which is proper since the chimney is wider than 30 inches, but again the view is obstructed by leaves in this photograph. Slightly lifting the edge of the asphalt shingles, I see that the roof covering is a second layer. Also in the photograph, you may notice that there is no drip flashing installed along the length of the eave. The drip flashing is recommended. The gutter is nice but I noticed the fastener in this photograph has come loose from the facia . I noticed a copper wire around the edge of the chimney and this appears to be a grounding wire from the satellite dish. The wire seems to possibly be catching some of the leaves and debri at the edges of the chimney. I might recommend the client having a service representative to reposition this moving this wire in a way that it does not obstruct leaves from naturally blowing off or falling away from the roof. Finally, regarding this photograph, leaves and debri should be removed from the gutter and from around the chimney to prevent moisture build up and rot and decay of structures in those areas. I also noticed some green organic growth on the side of the chimney which indicates moisture staying on this area maybe from overflow of the clogged gutter where it meets the chimney.
Further pictures will be provided showing the layers of roof material, the step flashing, and the cricket flashing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
For the research assignment, I have reviewed the image titled Gutter improperly discharging onto roof. The following illustration identifies several areas of concern for the roof drainage system and does not appear to be the most effective method to divert water from the roof.
The home is multi-level property with a dormer and diverts the second level roof water drainage down the side of the dormer and into a gutter system that discharges onto the roofs first level. The illustration does not identify if adequate flashing is installed to assist with the water diversion and chances are high that there would be possible leakage at the dormer and at the discharge point on the lower level roof. Due to the potential volume of water that would be discharging onto the roofs lower level surface, it is also likely that the shingles could also degrade at a faster rate than the remainder of the home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
As identified in the attached picture, the home has gutters installed where the water would drain over the edge of the roof. The gutter system also demonstrates that there is a controlled method to control water from overflowing over the gutter onto the walkway below. A further review of the picture also identifies that there seems to be adequate flashing installed. The picture identifies that edge flashing and roof-wall flashing is in place. There is also only 1 layer of shingles installed that look to be in good condition however there does seem to be granular shingle debris in the gutter system. I would recommend cleaning the gutters and would continue to inspect the entire roof shingles to determine if any other recommendations or concerns would be identified.
