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All I Needed Was A Hint ... Please?

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

On the inspection of the historic Manassas VA house, I encountered a new, very-well-done metal roof.  It was framed all around with a very nice cap.  At first I wondered where the gutters were, since I saw them around the front porch roof.  Then I realized that the main roof did in fact have gutters.

They are hidden.

I really like the look.  But there are disadvantages.

For example, it is very hard to tell if the gutters are clogged. 

And it is similarly hard to tell if the gutter is inclined properly, cracked or leaking - it is very hard to see. 

Any such leaking can get into the structure and rot it, totally hidden by wrapping the soffit and fascia.

A leak can get into the house, and can be there for a long time before it is actually discovered.

I looked and looked around the house to see any evidence that there might be a crack somewhere.

Anywhere.

All I needed was a hint.

Anything at all.

An indicator *, something from which I could deduce any problem.

I looked and I looked...

My recommendation:  One thing really does lead to another.  You can't always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.

* OK, there is an indicator on the shutter - ice!  From that gutter extended an ice trail down the roof and an accumulation of ice at the edge.  And on the other side of the house, the north side, was a huge icicle which apparently had dropped and broken into 50 large pieces.  Might just be a clogged gutter over there!

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments(14)

Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Y'all just aren't as used to icebergs as we are,...makes yo appreciate that May flowers thing....blog on Buddy...enjoy....stay warm...stay healthy and wealthy !

Jan 16, 2010 11:34 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

OOOOOOkkkkkk!

Jan 16, 2010 11:39 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Jay,

If people only realized how much damage untended and/or poorly installed gutters can do to a home.....

Jan 17, 2010 12:06 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It was wet and icy Mike and I did not go up to see into the gutters.  But they were obviously clogged (I could see one downspout location from a window).  I don't know that they were poorly installed, but gutters like that make it impossible to see any joints, or inclination, and that is what makes it hard.

Jan 17, 2010 12:15 AM
Jim Allhiser
Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon Home Inspector

Is that vinyl soffit and siding as well?  That stuff is the best at hiding leaks.  If you hadn't seen the hints your clients might not have known about this issue until the soffit caved in!

Jan 17, 2010 01:16 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Vinyl, vinyl everywhere Jim!  Of course it's good at hiding stuff.  That's why you need hints...

Jan 17, 2010 01:28 AM
Vince Santos
StepByStep Home Services LC - Canton, MI
Southeast Michigan Home Inspector

Ahh..Ice on the shutter! I didn't see that at first. I wonder if a thermal scan would show any damage?

Jan 17, 2010 01:36 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Did an IR sweep of the whole house Vince.  No damage yet.  Might have been a recent thing due to a deep snow we had not long ago.

Jan 17, 2010 01:42 AM
Mandy Buchholz
Benchmark Realty, LLC - Murfreesboro, TN

Who would of thought that anyone would incase the gutters. It makes me wonder what people are thinking.

Jan 17, 2010 01:50 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It is a clean look Mandy.  But, as I said, there are some disadvantages.

Jan 17, 2010 02:10 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Jay the house is always "winking" at us in some way----ain't it?:)

Jan 17, 2010 04:06 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I'm glad I wasn't standing under that icicle when it winked Charlie!

Jan 17, 2010 10:18 AM
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Hey Jay if the sun would have been from a different angle it would have been hard to catch the ice.

Good Eye.

Ah, by the way, there is a picture there now.  I'm a home inspector not a writer.

 

Jan 17, 2010 11:35 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

You're right Jack, I caught it in the morning sun.  Afternoon light may not have revealed it so cleanly.

 

Jan 17, 2010 11:40 AM