Cork is a renewable resource from a bark of a species of oak tree found in regions of Spain and Portugal.The advantages of cork are ease of installation , sound absorption ,anti vibration,fire-resistant,mildew resistant and anti-microbial. With all these advantages it is also very delicate. Cork can not stay wet otherwise it will expand, become uneven. Prone to surface damage from heavy traffic such as pets and high heeled shoes. Inspectors can pass on care and maintenance tips to their clients to help keep there cork floors looking new and lasting a long time.
This is a picture of a roof and roof flashing. It appears the roof itself is in good and safe condition. The flashing appear to be properly installed and functionally correctly. There are no signs of ponding or moisture in or around the tiles.
The article I chose to read was called “Roof and Drainage System Maintenance and Replacement”. A large portion of this article explained when it was necessary to re-roof or replace rather than repairing. The article also goes over the common deterioration signs to look for on gutters and downspouts.
The attached picture is of a tile roof during the construction phase. This system is being installed with horizontal battens. The spacing of the battens is based on recommendations from the tile manufacturer. Visible in the picture are the tile shingles, horizontal battens, and underlayment. One purpose of the battens is to reduce the number of fasteners that penetrate the underlayment. The fasteners are attached by nailing into the battens. An approximate one inch gap is common between the ends of the battens to allow for drainage.
Tile roofing materials can be made from a variety of items. The most common among these materials are clay and concrete. The tiles can range in style and profile. Profiles are generally categorized as low, medium or high. The low profile tiles are common to be flat or are close to flat. Medium profile are common to be of a shallow clay pan or “S” type of shape. High profile are common to have a barrel shape. Spacing and installation practices are usually based on the recommendations provided by the manufacturer. Properly installed concrete and clay tiles have a high wind resistance.
When inspecting roof covering material such as concrete tile, home inspector should look for sign of failure such as crack at the right corner and proper installation of flashing along the roof. Walking on concrete tile roof can further damage the roof and can be unsafe for inspector. Safety first must be observed at all time.
Concrete admixture can be a great material to solve problem within a home, although it might difficult for home inspector to determine if concrete admixture has been use, but it is important to know the sign of failure such as drying shrinkage which can lead to crack if improperly applied.
The photo is of clay tile roof. It appears to be in good shape from the view standing on the ground. The fascia is partially covered by tile as well. The roof ridge is tile covered A the roof was not climbed on for inspection.
Inspecting tile roofs article. It explains different types of tile. Such as Low profile are flat. Medium profile are shallow clay pan or s…High profile are barrel types. Side profile are S tiles. Birdstops should be at the ends of the roof. the article is a good visual guide.
Here is picture of a broken cracked roof tile on a house that I inspected here in south west Florida back in early December of this year, it was a bit hard to see because of heavy rain. More than likely it was caused by damage during Hurricane Irma
I chose to write my article for this course on inspecting tile roofs on a picture showing four different types of concrete roof tiles, a flat inter locking tile, a Spanish tile, a curved tile, and lastly in the picture a flat shingle style tile.I found the picture usefull in showing what these different tiles look like.
The roof tiles in this photo have been damaged and lifted out by the wind and weather and are now a structural defect. Rain and moisture have a higher chance of entering the structure and could result in costly repairs.
The roof underlayment material plays a vital role in how a roof protects and repels moisture from the structure. Specific guidelines must be followed based on the slope of the roof. For steep-slope roofs the underlayment should overlap a minimum of 2 inches and for low-slope roofs the underlayment should overlap a minimum of 19 inches.
counter flashing in brick ; many times you see counter flashing improperly installed. The flashing must be embedded into the mortar joint approximately 1/2 inch. more often than not you will see the flashing up against the brick secured with a sealant only. The proper install takes more time so the cost is higher is most likely the main reason.
Chimney ; this chimney appears to have been recently repaired. observed that the new step flashing has been incorrectly installed. The step flashing needs to be embedded into the mortar joints so that helps prevent water intrusion getting behind the flashing
My essay is from my reading Mastering Roof Inspections: Tile Roofs, Part 2. When performing a roof inspection there may be a number of factors that can’t be verified during the the inspection. These may be, but not limited to, correct underlayment installation, correct flashing metal, and proper installation of the tiles per the manufacturer specifications. Factors that can and must be looked for during the inspection is evidence of flashing, damaged or improperly installed tiles, birdstop at the starter course with adequate drainage, and any signs of potential leaking areas. It is important to disclose items that could not be verified as to protect yourself from potential liability issues.
The essay is about interlocking tiles. Interlocking tiles are manufactured with edge profiles that fit together to keep tiles aligned and help seal against moisture intrusion. Interlocking tiles consist of a coverlock that overlaps an underlock that also serves as a water channel. Different tiles will have different interlock profiles
The essay is about the impact of the wind to the tile roofs. Tile roofs generally do well in wind events due to their weight. Their wind resistance will depend on the quality of the installation, especially the method of fastening and the use of the proper type and application of adhesives. If wind is strong enough to loosen tiles, they may become airborne and are capable of damaging surrounding tiles.
The image shows the on-going installation of high profile clay tiles. They are being installed on top of a church in south Florida. Because the project is not completed, the drainage system has not been attached. At various locations, vents and stacks project through the roof. Unable to determine what kind of flashing was used, if any. At the front of building, at bottom of archway, it appears that a type of waterproofing or damp proofing was applied. Unable to determine if flashing was used in this location. There are missing tiles at a number of locations on the roof. Completion of the roof is unknown at this time.
When inspecting tile roofing, it is important to use a abundance of caution. Tile properties, conditions of the tile and the installation method must be considered. Buildings that are adjoining to each other can have differences which makes walking on a tile roofs a dangerous condition. The distribution of weight evenly will help to reduce tiles being broken. The decision to walk tile roofs are a judgement call that must be made by an Inspector. There are ways that an inspector can inspect a tile roof but if there is doubt about the integrity of the roof, a qualified roofing professional should be consulted.
