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This photo is a good example of why it is important to properly flash an exterior wall that is located at the side of the roof. Some short-sighted builders think that, since the water is going to be running down the roof, it will not hurt to have the wall touching the roof. That is why we call these builders short-sighted. They do not have the foresight to realize that only a few years down the road that wall is going to be soggy and rotten. Doubters only need to look at the photo below. That is not an OSB (oriented strand board) composition siding. That is real wood and it is going into it's death rattle as my fingers do the typing. What should have been done? Good builders put metal step flashing under the shingles and up behind the siding. The siding is cut to end with a one to two inch gap down to the roof. The siding becomes what is called a counter flashing. That way, the water runs on the metal and not against the wood. That is a much better technique!

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

 

6 Comments on No Flashing, Big Problem!

Steven, That is a problem, and most likely an expensive one!

05/01/2008 09:26 PM by Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team (ERA Realty Center)

Wow, I don't know anything about this sort of stuff, but this sounds bad!

05/01/2008 09:31 PM by Lisa Friedman Central New Jersey Real Estate (Pinnacle Realtors)

You are both right. That is bad and it will cost lots of money.

05/01/2008 11:00 PM by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)

HHHmmm, The other "probelm" would be that Blue Thingy sticking in the wood. Looks like a new fangled Arrow shot into the side of the home buy some kids, OR our favorite home inspector poking holes.

Thanks for the photos.

Sean Allen

05/02/2008 06:58 AM by International Financing Solutions

Sean,

 

You ought to invent a rot probe that can be shot from a blow gun. That would save us inspectors lots of hassle getting up on roofs.

05/02/2008 08:39 AM by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)

Steve----not a good place for flashings to be missing!  I guess that didn't provide proper clearance to the siding because then someone might notice the flashing was missing:)

05/02/2008 08:21 PM by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

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Inspector: Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)
Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector
Bellingham, WA
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King of the House Home Inspection

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908
Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038
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Home inspection information designed to be educate the real estate buyer and the real estate professional. Blog posts include general information and information specific to the Pacific Northwest region.


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