Last week I mentioned that municipal inspectors will sometimes miss important details on permit inspections, partially because they just don't have the time to go over every little detail on a home the way that a private inspector does. That reminded me of another aspect of municipal inspections in the Twin Cities that most people don't know about: Municipal inspectors typically don't walk on roofs to inspect them. That's right. When municipal inspectors in the Twin Cities come out to inspect roofs, they will rarely set foot on the roof, or even lean a ladder up against the roof. The rules vary between cities - some prohibit their inspectors from walking roofs, while others actually provide ladders for their inspectors. So why don't municipal inspectors walk on roofs? Because they don't have to. It's documented in the Minnesota Administrative Rules for Inspections (1300.0210, Subp. 4.): "The person requesting an inspection required by the code shall provide access to and means for inspection of the work." This means that if you expect your municipal inspector to walk on your roof, or even use a ladder to inspect it, you better have a ladder leaning up against your roof when they show up. They probably won't be bringing their own ladder. If you DO have a ladder... they still might not. Roofing contractors all tell me the same thing; municipal roof inspections are anything but thorough. One roofer told me that city inspectors barely get out of their vehicles. I have a high degree of respect for municipal inspectors and I had a hard time believing my roofer friends. To find out for myself, I sent out emails to twenty of the largest municipalities in Minnesota, asking if their building inspectors will walk roofs. I wrote: "If a municipal inspector is coming out to inspect a permit for a residential roof replacement, will they walk on the roof to inspect it if a ladder is provided? The roof has a pitch of 4:12, and is free of snow, ice, water, debris, etc." FYI - A 4:12 roof is a very low-sloped roof (see photo above). Here are the responses I received: Go Saint Louis Park. Their municipal inspections department continues to impress me. Here are two more tips I picked up from the email responses that I received: If you have your roof replaced, make sure someone leaves a ladder for the inspector. At least this way you'll have a chance of someone getting on your roof to inspect it. RELATED POST:
Rueben....I always understood that if a roof has a slope of less than 6/12 the manufacturer of the shingles would not warranty them.....
Great points, all to often overlooked... We have a responsibility to our clients to know these things...Thank you for the education!
I have gone through many inspectors. I have my professional team in place.
Barbara T - I've never heard that. Why would that be?
Barbara K - Until I sent out all the emails, I didn't even know this stuff.
Harry - this is about municipal inspectors.
It is important to know an inspectors credentials. Is he a engineer or was he delivering pizza until decide to become a home inspector?
I have to tell you Reuben, I absolutely would not climb on a roof with that much snow on it. Actually any snow for that matter. Not worth the risk in my opinion.
William - or is he still delivering pizza?
James - I don't blame you one bit.... but I have to ask: what if there was a four foot deep snow drift below you?
I agree with James. I do not walk on a roof with snow or ice. Not worth the risk of injury.
Well do say! and yet the end results are in most case situations turn out just fine! either the state licensed contractor followed the manufacurers instructions or he did not and the manufactures instructions are there doing the inspection, further the manufacture normally have a certification program for State Licensed Contractors to be certified to install thier product.
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