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More Tales of DI Why

By
Home Inspector with JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC HOI 394

As any homeowner knows, doing repairs around the house is a constant chore. Something always needs fixing or maintaining. When it comes to most repairs or upgrades the best way to save money is to do it yourself. And there are people falling over each other to offer help. Not literally standing outside your door, but from the TV, internet and most big box stores. They make it seem so easy. Just buy the stuff you need, and go at it.

Often it's not any where as easy as it looks and some DIYer's skills may be some what lacking.

Unfinished roof peakOn one of my most recent home inspections here in Connecticut, I found a DIY nightmare. The owners were certainly ambitious, but lacking skills. To be fair not every project I noted was a disaster, but there were some noteworthy highlights.

The roof had obviously been reshingled, but had looked odd from the ground. The shingle was unique and I can not recall ever seeing one quite like it. The section was 5 tabs long, making each tab a little on the small side. Apparently this created a dilemma for the amateur roofer. You see the tabs are cut from the section and used to finish off the peak. Because of the odd sized tabs, they must not have been entirely the right size to complete the peak.

Or perhaps the weekend roofer couldn't figure out how to finish off the ridge.

So what does the weekend warrior do? Lifts the old shingles up and slides the new ones right underneath. Yep, that's the ticket.  

A better plan might have been to hire a professional roofing contractor. Fortunately this is an easy and inexpensive fix for any seasoned contractor.

 

 

 

James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
2010 - 2011 SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

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Posted by

James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
Former SNEC-ASHI President
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

 ASHI Certified Inspector

To find out more about our other high tech services we offer in Connecticut click on the links below:

Learn more about our Infrared Thermal Imaging & Diagnostics services.

Serving the Connecticut Counties of Fairfield, Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, Southern Litchfield and Western New London.

Comments (11)

Robert Butler
Aspect Inspection - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Home Inspector | Aspect Inspection

Hi James. As you know it's not the how to, its the finishing details and the lack of skilled execution that shows up the non professional work.

Feb 28, 2011 01:50 AM
Diane McDermott
RealtorĀ®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market

James, you lost me at "odd sized tabs" but your point is loud and clear - a professional's value is so often most necessary in responding and adjusting when things "don't quite fit" or problems arise, and don't they always :)

Feb 28, 2011 06:08 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Jim, what is that white fungus all over the roof on the right hand side of the picture?

Feb 28, 2011 11:28 AM
Robert Butler
Aspect Inspection - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Home Inspector | Aspect Inspection

You called it Charles, white fungus of course, eastern variety.

Feb 28, 2011 01:26 PM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

James,

How else can you learn but by making all the mistakes first ; )

Feb 28, 2011 01:38 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

James,

Do it yourselfers can make such a mess of things.

Feb 28, 2011 03:39 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Your point is made.  This is a prime example of DIY jobs!  And remember, a very small percentage of meat can be labeled as "prime," so the same must be true of DIYers.

Mar 01, 2011 12:43 AM
Dale Ganfield
Leland, NC

Hi James, my opinion only, roofs are not the place for DIWhy!  As you say, HGTV and others are major contributors to making homeowners think anyone can do the job of a professional.

Mar 01, 2011 03:03 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Robert, Like they say, the devil is in the details.

Diane, Yes they do!

Charlie, That is a unique fungal growth indigenous to this area. There are very similar growths that are known to occur all over the world. It can appear here anytime from November to April. :)

Doanld, Yep. At least it was on their own house.:)

Steve, Yes, I've seen Nutsy house.

Jay, And the rest are of course sub prime :)

Dale, Yep, roofing really should be left to the pros.

Mar 01, 2011 08:12 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr James,

I would most certainly have founded any issues created by the roofing job above.

Nutsy

Mar 01, 2011 01:27 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Nutsy, You're the best. Of course you would have found them.

Mar 05, 2011 12:40 AM