Water Damage behind Vinyl Siding

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

I agree David, I haven’t seen them yet in this area and when I brought it up 5 years ago on my own job site, they looked at me the same way and said what the hell is that. :)

[mlarson (Michael Larson, WI Lic. # 1672-106)]

@dandersen

I want to know who you get the contractors to conceive the notion of what kick out flashing is and does…?

I get the “look” like I am ET with two heads!

I include a diagram that clearly demonstrates kick out flashings.

[sfogarty (Sean Fogarty)]

@jjimenez

Sean

I always peak under widows for this type of damage, but I have never done it in the area you showed. You really taught me something important here. Thank you.

Glad I could be of help.

[belliott (Bob Elliott, 450.0002662)]

@sfogarty

Another example how some of you guys seem to loose your minds over something as simple as this. I never have seemed to be tackful and so if I offend you, dont look at this too deeply.

We can spin this one in any direction we want, and worry about the legal what ifs also. For me its real simple.
Every house I now inspect gets a recommendation for diverter flashings if none are present in certain areas.
Every house I can reach safely gets checked at these areas. I do the best I can.
I also don’t get on every roof either, I do the best I can.
I have learned in my area, that this is a common area for water entry, so I check these areas when its possible. If I can get to it safely it gets checked. If not, I still note the need for diverter flashings.
For the record I have also made new builders tear off siding completely, or remove areas because they did not tape windows or install house wrap at all.
Peeking behind the vinyl siding is not an invasive inspection. Seperating a section may be, but its part of my inspection. If I break a section, then I guess I will pay for it.
If you don’t know how to work with siding, then you should go work with a siding guy a couple of days. You should also know how the stuff gets put on or you have no business inspecting it. It is your job to say its done right, and not knowing how it can be taken apart is not knowing your job. Its siding, not rocket science.

Not getting on a roof, and then finding out later it was completely nailed on improperly, will get you sued as well, but hey you stuck to the sop

For the record, I scanned the interior wall with my thermal, and a moisture meter. No issues were found, and it appearantly was not severe enough yet. Once it would be coming through the walls, you would have a far bigger mess to contend with. Not seeking behind the siding would have far worse implications once discovered then standing on the ground just looking.

I bet a wall full of mold and wood rot would have your buyer hotter than a 2 dollar whore, but all would be good once you told them that your SOP’s did not require you to do an invasive inspection.

LOL you are so correct Sean.
Bet some of these same guys are afraid to lift a few acoustical ceiling tiles for fear of missing something where they did not lift.

Amazing !

It is cold here and one can be gentle to check for underlayment or moisture resistant barriers at the very least.

Just poor inspection not to do so.

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

Bet some of these same guys are afraid to lift a few acoustical ceiling tiles for fear of missing something where they did not lift.

Bob, I do not make sense out of that statement, can you rephrase that?

[canderson5 (Cameron Anderson)]

@sfogarty

For the record, I scanned the interior wall with my thermal, and a moisture meter. No issues were found, and it appearantly was not severe enough yet. Once it would be coming through the walls, you would have a far bigger mess to contend with. Not seeking behind the siding would have far worse implications once discovered then standing on the ground just looking.

I bet a wall full of mold and wood rot would have your buyer hotter than a 2 dollar whore, but all would be good once you told them that your SOP’s did not require you to do an invasive inspection.

First of all, Marcel just hit the ball out of the park with a single photo. That’s probably a $2 tool. Every inspector should own one.

Second, a $2 whore is not very hot, so that comparison is a little flimsy. That client would be hotter than a $400 escort!

Third, awesome, awesome post and thread. For those inspectors who want a first step to justify pulling siding, if the rain is recent but not immediately preceding the inspection, a moisture meter can also be a good, non-invasive way of finding these spots.

SOP is the minimum, like the codes we deride contractors for just barely following. It’s the least you can do.

[canderson5 (Cameron Anderson)]

@dandersen

I want to know who you get the contractors to conceive the notion of what kick out flashing is and does…?

I get the “look” like I am ET with two heads!

That makes you the first minority Member of the Year.

I love the look on a Realtor’s face when they get the concept of kick out right at the moment I pull back the siding and they see that big dark stain on the OSB.

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

With no WRB because it is not required by local codes.

Huh!!

[dandersen (David Andersen, TN HI# 40)]

With all that water staining from the upper roof down (in the video), you have to be on crack to not look under that vinyl!

BYW: I wasn’t really asking that question…

[dandersen (David Andersen, TN HI# 40)]

I wish I could post my report from today, but I suspect it will end up in litigation…

If you think it is happening, your 99% correct that it is or will happen.

Where is the thermal scan Sean?
You can do that one at noon, in the sun…

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

Thermal scan required David, when you can see the damage visually?

[cbottger (Charley L. Bottger)]

@mcyr

Thermal scan required David, when you can see the damage visually?

No not required but sure makes for good advertising;-)

[belliott (Bob Elliott, 450.0002662)]

@mcyr

Bet some of these same guys are afraid to lift a few acoustical ceiling tiles for fear of missing something where they did not lift.

Bob, I do not make sense out of that statement, can you rephrase that?

Which part was difficult for you Marcel ?
Are you afraid to lift ceiling tiles if an area is suspect because I do not see you as that type .

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

@belliott

Which part was difficult for you Marcel ?
Are you afraid to lift ceiling tiles if an area is suspect because I do not see you as that type .

The way it is worded does not make sense.

If you are afraid to lift ceiling tiles, how could you fear of missing something?

[belliott (Bob Elliott, 450.0002662)]

@mcyr

The way it is worded does not make sense.

If you are afraid to lift ceiling tiles, how could you fear of missing something?

Marcel in H.I training classes they taught us not to lift any ceiling tiles as you would then be liable for lifting all.
We discussed this before but you most likely forgot as it has been a while.
They were always worried about liability to a insane level.

I lift them based on when I feel it is a possible discovery and could care less about liability if it means doing a good job for my clients.

I am out there trying to find issues rather than play Lawyer.

[mlarson (Michael Larson, WI Lic. # 1672-106)]

I lifted some tiles last week. I hope that was OK.

[belliott (Bob Elliott, 450.0002662)]

@mlarson

I lifted some tiles last week. I hope that was OK.

Oooops…Liability is opened as you must explain why you did not open all now.

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

Got you Bob.

I don’t lift them all either, just the ones that will reveal the most.

[tsmith8 (Timothy J. Smith, CMI)]

I am not familiar with Tennessee but North of the border I would be very concerned with the lack of house warp. Do the Southern states not require it?

[jfrederick (Joshua Frederick)]

@jjimenez

I always peak under widows for this type of damage, but I have never done it in the area you showed. You really taught me something important here. Thank you.

Me too.