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Are You Sure They're Done Replacing The Roof Shingles?

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

When I read notes left for me by sellers or realtors, sometimes I snicker a bit because just driving up to the house I often notice things that preclude what any note might have to say. 

When I read this one:  "Roof shingles all recently replaced by a licensed roofing company," I did in fact snicker.

Whatever they think, it seems to me that the job is not quite completed.

I noticed from the ground that the shingles did not extend 1" over the edge of all the sections above the bay window.

But a view of the roof there could not be seen anywhere from the ground around or near this house.

I had to go across the parking lot and onto a hill and to the corner of another house to see this with my binoculars.

Then my telephoto lense captured the job in all its glory.

Apparently that gutter gets clogged a lot, water overflows the end, and it pours onto the shingles. 

THAT LICENSED ROOFING COMPANY SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM!

Can you see why the job wasn't completed by the "licensed roofing company?"

Because the end of the gutter comes right to the shingle edge, and it would have had to be removed to do the job right.

So remove it!  Finish the shingles!  Complete the work!

I am sure they thought nobody would notice.  To see it you have to know what you are looking at.

And maybe be in possession of some really good 20X binoculars with an image-stabilizing button!

My recommendation:  for the second post in a row, a receipt from a "licensed contractor" should be followed up on.  Sometimes they think they will not be followed.  How does a homeowner follow the work with an inspection?  I'd suggest a licensed home inspector!   Calling a home inspector is ALWAYS a Best Practice.  In Northern Virginia, I would insist, yes INSIST, on Jay Markanich.  Wow, did I just say that?

 

 

 

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(18)

Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning Jay,

The home owner should have done a walk around also.

Make yourself a great day.

 

Sep 07, 2013 10:42 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yeah, that doesn't look right.  I wonder if using a "licensed contractor" really means that they aren't licensed.  If the contractor was licensed then why would they feel the need to say that?

Sep 07, 2013 10:56 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

To see this Raymond, you had to be about 100 yards away!

Debbie - that was the point of my previous blog!

Sep 07, 2013 10:58 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

The word "licensed" gets thrown around a lot....no such thing in roofing here....and too many people who do it as a side job.

Sep 07, 2013 11:10 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

That may be the way of the world S&D!

Sep 07, 2013 11:30 PM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Unreal that anyone, even a "licensed" roofer would install that ridge cap when there is some unfinished shigles to be installed! Looks like they didn't even remove the old ones... was it a roof-over?

Sep 07, 2013 11:37 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jay,

It seems we find a lot of this crappy work gong on. Anyway to get in and out and get paid to boot. Uncle Bob would be proud. I guess they thought the small section was not worth the effort.

Have a good day in Bristow.

Best, Clint McKie

Sep 07, 2013 11:44 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It was right there Fred, but I could not tell everywhere else.  This is a townhouse community, so it is especially difficult to tell that.  They could have faked me out completely by simply adding a layer of shingles to the bottom, set over the edge 1"!  Had I seen that edge from the ground I would not have investigated further!

Sep 07, 2013 11:45 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I was not worth the extra work Clint!  And that area is way too high for the good uncle.  Seeing the receipt, however, I know which roofing company NOT to refer!

Sep 07, 2013 11:46 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Jay, I frequently find those little areas of roof never completeted---like they were going to do them and just never got back to them or figured no one would notice.

Sep 07, 2013 11:57 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

In this case I think it was the latter Charlie.  Even from the ground it was hard to see.

Sep 08, 2013 12:08 AM
Kathy Stoltman
Ventura, CA
RETIRED

Jay, I think the homeowner should be on the phone calling up that roofing company!

Sep 08, 2013 01:51 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I agree Kathy!  Or the HOA who suggested them!

Sep 08, 2013 02:12 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Jay,

I'll bet the roofing company was not banking on you and your binoculars and telephoto lens!!

have a great night

Rob

Sep 08, 2013 06:38 AM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Jay -- you have provided another excellent example of why a professional home inspector is needed, even with "licensed" contractors.

Sep 08, 2013 04:43 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

There were not Rob!  And literally this can only be seen from very far away.

Steven - but at least I now know which roofing company not to recommend!

Sep 08, 2013 06:45 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Even I can see that issue Jay and that is saying a lot.  Otherwise I leave those issue to people like you. 

Sep 08, 2013 09:15 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

You can see it from far away James, with binoculars!

Sep 08, 2013 09:16 PM