Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The picture is of a asphalt shingle roof. Asphalt shingles are the most common roof covering and are inexpensive, easy to install, and last between 15 to 40 years, depending on type. The common problems that will cause asphalt shingles to fail are weather issues, impact damage, debris on the roof, poor installation techniques, material failures, and ventilation problems.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article I read is OSB vs. Plywood. OSB is manufactured from heat-cured adhesives and rectangular- shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers. Plywood is made from thin sheets of veneer that are cross-laminated and glued together with a hot press. These are both used for sheathing on roofs.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Pictured is an image of a properly flashed sidewall under a dormer. We can see the at least inch gap that separates the roof covering from the stucco and we can see the counter flashing. At the end of the counterflashing is a kick out, or diverter flashing, to direct water away from the stucco below.
Research & Writing Assignment:
An article was read about OSB and plywood. Both are used for the roof deck, under asphalt shingles, and the accepted thickness is usually 7/16". They do perform somewhat differently but OSB is more popular in North America. Nearly two times as much OSB is produced here than plywood.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Shingle tab is missing from right side porch roof. It has been broken off. Did not find the tab on the ground. Appears to have been missing for some time. It has been tried to be repaired. Caulking or roofing cement was present on nails on underlying shingles and in space between the underlying shingles. Recommended this be repaired by a qualified roofing contractor at this time to prevent future leaking. This was over a open porch with vinyl soffit. Could not see any evidence of leaking underneath on porch because of the vinyl soffit.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Anti-tip brackets for Free-Standing Ranges:
All free standing ranges required to have a anti-tip bracket installed. The bracket will keep the range from tipping over with the oven open. A large turkey or a small child or even an adult cleaning the oven is enough weight to tip the range over on top of them. It could result in death. Several deaths have accrued in the past several years mostly children. You can inspect to see if it is present by 1) visually seeing it, either by looking behind the range or taking out the bottom drawer if available and looking for it. 2) By grabbing the top of the range (after removing everything in the oven and on the top of the range) and pulling forward. If a bracket is install it will not tip very far before coming to a stop. If a bracket is not installed the inspector will report that it is a safety hazard and recommend that one be install.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In this photo obvious hail damage is noted to the asphalt shingles. It is clear the damage has penetrated down and exposed the waterproofing material. This damage is widespread across the roof and the roof needs attention from a licensed roofing contractor.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In this course I learned that buckled asphalt shingles are an indication of a major problem. Typically this is caused by the movement, that is the contraction and expansion of the roof sheathing. This problem is typically caused my moisture issues either in the attic space or in the roof decking itself.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This roof has an open valley with metal flashing. The flashing has a ridge to direct crosswash away from the opposing roof. Roof penetrations appear to be properly flashed. The shingles do not appear to be racked but are properly staggered.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Arc Fault Circuit Interruptors monitor the electric waveform of the circuit they serve and open the circuit if a dangerous arc is detected. The AFCI is able to distinguish ordinary arcs such as those formed by turning on a light switch from dangerous arcs, such as those caused by overloaded circuits.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
A hail damaged roof. Many homeowners may attempt to mimic hail damage with a hammer to collect insurance. As you can see in this picture the pattern of damage is very random, there’s damage close to the edges of the roof and the strikes are not just limited to the center of the tabs. You can also see the indentations close up shows the granules more imbedded, rather than crushed from the force of the hail stones.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The picture for the essay is a roof valley poorly installed. There are several methods for installing shingles over a roof valley. The method used here is a woven method. The shingles are running up the second slope with out being tucked. This roof valley should be re installed in a correct pattern…
Research & Writing Assignment:
The topic I choose to write on is Oil supply tanks for boilers. These tanks are usually constructed of 12 gauge steel. These tanks can be located on the exterior of buildings in garages and in basements. Oil tanks area always prone to corrosion due to the moist areas that they located. The condition of these tanks are important to the inspector due to their environmental hazard.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The direction of the gutter is directing rain water run if horizontal. This could cause water to enter the roof as the flow is not going in the optimal direction. Correcting this to run down there tile into the gutter is recommended.
Research & Writing Assignment:
H clips even though they were adopted as required in 2006 not all ahj require their use. Lack of h clips should not be reported as a defect unless the inspector knows for certain that they were required at the time of installation.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Kickout Flashing. Kickout flashing is a type of flashing used to divert accumulating rainwater in specific areas too the gutter, usually about 6 inches in length. Properly installed, it can provide excellent protection against water intrusion. The flashing is typically installed where the roof meets an exterior wall and where an exterior wall is built past a roofline and gutter. After reading the InterNACHI article I strongly recommend installing this if any of the described above areas exist on your roof.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This photo is of 3 tab asphalt shingle roof. The roof has damaged shingles at the eave. These shingles are curling and deteriorated. Recommend replacement as damaged and curling shingles are a potential area for water and moisture intrusion into the roofing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article I decided to write on was on bathhouse inspections. A bag house is the generic name for an air pollution-control device designed to filter dust and other fine particles from contaminated air in commercial and industrial facilities.Baghouses provide clean air for employees and customers, protect the environment of nearby equipment, and lessen the plants contribution to outdoor air pollution.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Storm damage from wind and hail occur and need to be distinguished from defective asphalt shingle product or asphalt shingle installation errors. Cupping and curling due to age can be distinguished from “fishmouthing” (shown in the photo above) caused by inadequate attic venting and building moisture.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. Perlite softens when it reaches temperatures of 850900 C (1,5601,650 F). Water trapped in the structure of the material vaporises and escapes, and this causes the expansion of the material to 716 times its original volume
