On occasion I have the opportunity to stop back by a vacant house where there were things identified on a home inspection that desperately needed attention.  I was driving by, so, with a given occasion to revisit - another incomplete roof repair, I went into the yard to see something.

The seller feature information included that the five-year-old roof recently was given a complete bill of health inside and outside by a roofer.  Well, there was no receipt and the name of the "roofer" was not known, but at least it was given a good review.

What's different is that the plumbing vents through the roof now have collars.

They were mysteriously absent at the time of the home inspection.

Without inserting all of the photos, this photo shows what is under and around the lower of the two vents in the photo to the left.

If the "five-year-old roof" mention was correct, then that is likely five years worth of damage.

I do not see any change to the shingles around either vent.  I can see the still-sagging sheathing.  Without even going inside then, I can conclude that nothing has been done to repair the damage caused by the lack of vent collars.

I ASK THIS QUESTION - WHAT KIND OF ROOFER WOULD LEAVE THE DAMAGED WOOD ON HIS OWN HOUSE?  WHICH OF YOU WOULD WANT THIS CONVEYED AS A "PROPER" REPAIR IF YOU WERE BUYING THE HOUSE?  WHICH OF YOU WOULD TURN THIS OVER TO A BUYER AND FEEL THAT REPAIRS WERE MADE?

Well, I know the answer to all of that.

Putting collars up there without anything else is putting a band aid on a boo boo.  Even if it's a way cool Pretty Kitty or Spiderman band aid, it's still a band aid!  The problems are not solved!  But the cover up sure is pretty!

Personally, I would be embarrassed to convey this to somebody else.  I WOULD BE EMBARRASSED.

My recommendation:  if a seller claims this or that professional has given something a clean bill of health, request the receipt!  But also, check it out!  A professional home inspector does not care that something has been previously investigated - he will want to investigate it himself!


 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
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18 Comments on A Given Occasion To Revisit - Another Incomplete Roof Repair

OCT
17
812,701 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Well, that's shoddy work, and yes, they should be embarrassed. Fix it right or don't bother. I get so tired of these things, but it sure does give us good blog fodder!
4:26am • #1
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I am venting as much as I am blogging Andrea.  This crap bothers me!
4:31am • #2
567,660 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Everything sags as it gets older. What's the problem? They "fixed" it. Is that a mushroom farm I see in the attic? I do love mushrooms.
4:31am • #3
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jim - the title could have read "An Occasion To Revisit And Pluck More Mushrooms"  Oh, wait.  I couldn't go inside!  Maybe that day is yet to come?

And no need to get personal about the sagging...
4:36am • #4
198,963 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Well said Jay. If you have defects repaired as a condition of sale, have your Inspector return to make sure they are done RIGHT! Or pay the price later...
5:37am • #5
478,796 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Jay,

It looks as if Uncle Bob was there and did the Kitty band aid thing. LOL

Mant roofers try not to fix anything except the shingles. They bid it so low they will not do the job correctly.

Good find.

Have a nice day in Bristow.

Best, Clint McKie 
5:41am • #6
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

They haven't hired me to go back, Fred, but I will contact them about my fly by and they may decide that I should.  This is the house with the very neat kitchen sink drain...

Clint - I would have guessed Pretty Kitty too.  As to shingle repair, slide and glue, slide and glue.
5:44am • #7
155,778 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Was it a roofer or a shingle/membrane contractor that went back. Shingle contractors only replace shingles, and are called roofers. But they don't build roofs, and usually sub out sheathing or structural repairs.

So the shingle/membrane may be complete and not leaking (for now) so he'll say the 'roof' is good. The actual roof as a building structure component is another thing, and according to him, not his responsablility.

So ...What kind of 'roofer' is looking at it?
6:01am • #8
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Obviously I don't know Robert.  But, it is a given that no repairs were done.  If the sheathing now looks like the sheathing then, it is a real bummer.

Also, looking at the penetrations now, and the photo, what is there now is NOT the copper that was there before, and of a thinner gage.  Did someone take the time to remove that bad old copper tubing in favor of some good new plastic?  Gee, given copper prices now, I wonder what was done with that old tubing?
6:11am • #9
452,806 Points 81 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Jay - It's easy to have someone "say" that a problem has been repaired, but it's another to confirm that there are no related issues left unaddressed. Confirmation that repairs have been properly completed is always a good thing.  
7:20am • #10
630,906 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Good morning Jay,

That boo-boo is turning into a boo-hoo for the owner...
8:09am • #11
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It's too bad, isn't it John, that I would have to go back to follow a "professional?"  Personally that disgusts me.

Lisa - a little Pretty Kitty band aid would have solved this problem forever.
9:37am • #12
1,090,776 Points 201 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Hi Jay, This is the stuff that lawsuits are made of. I hope the agent involved clearly stated that the repairs were not verified and should be by the buyer by professionals of their choice. Sadly most Buyers don't take this caveat seriously, at least until it is too late. But clearly the Seller remains liable. The conversation with the person that did this would interesting under sworn testimony.
7:41pm • #13
Outside Blog

Hey Jay,

Some contractors motto is, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it; if it is broke, still don't fix it'.
8:07pm • #14
OCT
18
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Interestingly, William, they have contacted me and want me to return to the house to check out the "repairs."

That works around here Eric!  It disgusts me really.  The Golden Rule is not alive and well.
4:00am • #15
630,906 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Good morning Jay,

That cute band-aid could fix a world of hurts...can you send several truckloads to Washington, please?!!
5:56am • #16
1,345,414 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It is always amazing when you see poorly completed workmanship. It is as if there is no pride in the work completed. Great post, as always.
6:16am • #17
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I will see what I can do Lisa.

Barbara-Jo - my words for it are both descriptive - 1. there is a lack of professionalism - 2. more sarcastically, we are suffering from 7-11 construction.
6:19am • #18

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Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

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