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Bee-Ware Everyday

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

I was out and about in Bellingham just the other day. A home inspector can run into unexpected surprises at unusual places. As a home inspector, diligent and all, I try to inform a prospective purchaser of the presence of a multiple layer roof. We see all kinds of arrangements including two or three layers of composition over wood shingles. That is not a pretty sight.

One of the easiest ways to check to see if a roof is multi-layer is to simply gently look under the edge of the roofing at the eave. Here is an example of my identifying a multi-layer roof.

That seems simple and safe enough. But the other day I was following the same procedure and suddenly a bully and three  buddies showed up. First there was one crawling out, then there were two and they just kept crawling out from under the eave flashing. After four showed up and started buzzing me, I decided that I was done with those guys and gals.

This was just another reminder that, as a home inspector, you have to make sure you do not fall off the roof and you have to make sure you don't get stung. The buzz word is Bee-Ware!

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Steven-Funny how bullies so small, when they get more of their gang involved, become really tough to handle. Glad you got away.

Jul 09, 2014 04:00 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

This brings some very disturbing memories up from my childhood.  Bees are no joke, man! lol

Jul 09, 2014 08:40 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Yellow jackets respond to vibration.  Two days ago on a house just my walking by disturbed the yellow jacket nest INSIDE the house, with the hornets coming and going from a hole where the electric cable entered the house!  I was afrain to remove the panel box cover!  Listening carefully I did not hear anything, but when removed there were a few dead ones inside the panel!

They are nasty Steve.  And don't come at you one by one...

Jul 09, 2014 09:13 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

P.s.  I only remember seeing a three-layer roof once!  That is very unusual.  Trying to get away with that is very poor practice.

Jul 09, 2014 09:15 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I always find your blog post informative Steve! I also enjoy reading the other comments from home inspectors who really add to the value of each post...

Jul 10, 2014 02:21 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Wayne, they are quite annoying this time of year and aggressive.

Chris, so far my experiences with stings are pretty minor

Jay, they have got me a few times on the job....coming out behind vinyl siding, a time or two they have nailed me after coming out from under vent caps or roof box vents. As to multi-layer roofs, we are very manly out here and more is better. You guys are whimps.

Paul, Glad you find it informative. Being in the same area, I think we can relate to the terrain and circumstances so often seen.

Steve

 

Jul 10, 2014 02:48 AM