Student Discussion: 10 Steps to Performing a Roof Inspection Course

Inspection Education Topics Student Discussions
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This thread is for students currently enrolled in the 10 Steps to Performing a Roof Inspection Course.

Students may ask any question, interact with other students, do research within this course thread, and join the discussion. The thread will be monitored according to our guidelines.

10 steps to performing a roof inspection

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Retaking this coarse for continuing education purposes.

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on my way to the 10 steps to performing a roof inspection course Jeremy PA

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Looks to be a fun course!

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A member just sent in a great essay response! Check it out:

View Question

Research & Writing Essay Instructions

This research and writing assignment may take four hours.

  1. Choose one inspection article from the Library of Inspection Articles or choose one illustration from the Illustration Gallery that directly relates to the topics covered in this course.
  2. Research and study the technical article or illustration. 
  3. In the box below titled “Your Essay," write an essay that describes what you’ve learned from reading and studying the article or illustration. 
  4. Upload and submit an inspection image or the chosen illustration along with the essay. 

Your essay must meet the following criteria: 

  • It must be written in English. 
  • It must be at least 80 words in length. 
  • It must be written at a minimum 4th-grade level.  
  • It must sufficiently comment upon the chosen article or illustration related to this course's main topics.
  • It must include an image.

This research and writing assignment is very similar to what a home inspector does during a home inspection--researching and studying inspection images and illustrations, studying and referring to and applying a Standards of Practice, taking inspection images, making observations, describing components, determining the condition of those components, formulating opinions, making recommendations to correct (if needed), proposing the implication of not making corrections to a defect (if observed), writing notes, and communicating observations in written form.

Please continue with the course after submitting your essay. If the essay does not meet the criteria, you'll be notified by email to rewrite the essay.

Ice dams can cause serious damage to roofs in areas where there are extended periods with temperatures below 32 degrees. Older homes with poorly insulated and poorly vented attics are very prone ice dam issues. Ice formed along the unheated edge of the roof builds up to create a dam that then backs up water to where it drips through the roof into living areas and inside walls. Thirty or forty years ago it was very common in cold climates to see metal flashing along the bottom three feet of roofs. Current insulation and ventilation guidelines create roofs that are much less likely to have ice dam issues. Older roofs with ice dam issues usually benefit by having a new metal roof installed. Metal roofs are less penetrable by backed up water, and snow and ice are more likely to slide off.