gOOD jOB!

Thanks. I like your name, Family First.  That's how I try to run my business. I realize that families will be living in the homes I inspect, and they deserve the best inspection I can give them.

When we purchased an investment property, the inspector (big national chain) showed up without a ladder.  Turns out not only did we need a new roof, by the roofing joists were buckled as well (found that out when we decided to remove the drop ceilings and bring back the 1920's high ceilings.

He also didn't pick up cloth electrical wiring from the 20's, of the sump pump motor being broken on the pump in the drain outside the kitchen door which eventually caused us to have to rip up the floor and the subfloor.

Inspectors can make a huge financial difference...we make huge decisions based on what they are telling us. 

But a ladder?  If they don't have one, fire them on the spot!

Gail,

Thanks for the comments. It's horrible that you went through that, but unfortunately I know there are many inspectors like that out there.

Of course there are many good ones also. But doesn't it always seem like the bad ones get all the press and leave the most distinct impressions on us?  Then the good ones have to really go out of their way to prove themselves. Oh well, that's the name of the game.

As someone who worked new construction, that really doesn't surprise me.  Most builders completely forget to finish the "Punch List."

Isn't roof running the best part of an inspection?? 

In class we were taught not to walk on a tile or slate roof because of breaking them, but here in Georgia we don't have many tile roofs.  But you must know the trick to walking on it and not breaking the tiles and I would like to know it should I need it in the future.  By the way, what a veiw!!!  I always have a ladder or two. 

David,

Basically, walk on the first 3-inches of the top tile where the tiles overlap.  Never walk on the first coarse (row), valleys or rake edges.  For a high profile roof (S-tile), walk on the highest part of the tile (the part closest to the sky), not where it goes down (the part closest to the roof).  I hope that made sense.  I'll try to look up a graphic for you and attach it. But be forwarned... I didn't teach the class on how to walk on roofs, I'm just summarizing it.

Joseph,

You are doing a dis-service to home inspectors by your "you must walk a roof" mantra. To say an inspector is no good or not as good because they do not walk roof is quite frankly an elitist attitude. I have met inspectors who walk roofs and don't know a roof tile from a floor tile. You are narrowing all the home inspectors worth into one small area.

What makes a good home inspector? Many things. One important aspect is knowledge and spending the time on the inspection. I know of to many "roof walker" inspectors that do one hour or less home inspections. What about customer service, good communication skills, a comprehensive report. How about other skills and or qualifications. Following your advice if the person doesn't walk the roof they should not even be considered.

As far as the defect you discovered I will relate some personal experience with flat roof drains. I worked in manufacturing for many years. Most of these plants all have flat roofs with scupper drains and screened covers, just like your picture. The covers clog constantly because the area is reduced. I have experienced catastrophic roof leaks because these covers were clogged. So is the cover a good idea? You be the judge.

As far as walking roofs, I rarely if ever will walk on a roof. I have done well over a thousand home inspections and have not had a customer complaint related to the roof. But I guess I am not a good home inspector by the Joesph Lang scale of inspector worth.

James,

1. I never indicated that walking on roofs was the only thing to look for in a home inspector, lets not twist my words.

2. This case was obvious that NOT walking on the roof would have been an issue.  Maybe you don't have large roofs in your area, but I have plenty here.  You cannot even begin to see the entire roof of a 7,900 sq. ft. house from the roof edge.

3. I agree that there are many other things to look for in a good home inspector.

4. If you don't walk on roofs, what else is NOT a qualification according to James Quarello?  Do you take off the dead front panel on main electrical panels?  Do you crawl underneath houses?  Do you run the water at faucets? Do you enter attics?

5. I'm going to give me clients the best possible home inspection I can. Not because I want to be the best and I want to make money.  Don't get me wrong, that's a big part of it. But because I know a family will live in that house and I want them to live there without any problems. I inspect the house as if my own family were going to be living there.

By the way, James is right. No licensing board (that I know of) or professional association is going to require a home inspector to walk on a roof. Therefore it's not a "qualification".  But it is the best method of inspecting a roof that I would highly recommend.  Of course there are always limitations to that, such as weather conditions, steep slope, height, etc.

Joseph,

I did not twist your words, but simply replied to the meaning of what you wrote;

Does Your Home Inspector Have a Ladder?

If so, do they use it?  If so, do they walk on roofs, yes even tile roofs?

You further go on to demonstrate through your story why you believe that walking a roof is so vitally important to doing a home inspection. That the inspector who chooses not to walk roofs is giving less service, is less qualified, and in essence could be putting the family's safety at risk.

Your thinly veiled assertion that any inspector who does not walk roofs is not as good as those who do (You) is ridiculous.

If you don't walk on roofs, what else is NOT a qualification according to James Quarello?  Do you take off the dead front panel on main electrical panels?  Do you crawl underneath houses?  Do you run the water at faucets? Do you enter attics?

Did we not have this debate before? The above list is not qualifications. In my State they are all covered under the SoP. You continually harp on this walk the roof issue. You are attempting to dis-credit any inspector that chooses not to venture on to a roof as unqualified.

I appreciate your dedication to your clients and our profession, but you are bringing down other inspectors by being judgemental of their method of roofing inspections. There are many things I do not like about how others in this profession perform their jobs. I can't change that. What I can affect are the people I work for as my clients.

You and I are very alike. We are for surely very opinionated! We also care about the same things. But you are not better or worse because you walk on a roof, nor is your inspection superior for that reason as well.

Get off the roof and come down to earth with the rest of us humble home inspectors.

James,

Well put, and yes I agree, it appears we BOTH have our clients interest at heart, unlike many other inspectors.  I like you're zeal about inspections and your persistence about your point of view.

However, I'll let people read the post and let them decide if my example holds any weight or not.

Take care.