roofs: So Many Distractions
- 02/27/11 01:52 AM
The other day on my morning home inspection here in Connecticut, I was perched on a roof peak admiring the hacky handiwork of another DIYer when my attention was drawn else where. Being on a roof provides panoramic views of your surroundings. Sometimes the vistas are spectacular while other times simply mundane. Being a home inspector I can't help but notice when things are wrong on any building. I drive down the road and think, "look at the bad roof on that house" or "that deck looks like a disaster waiting to happen." So when I'm perch on a roof like … (19 comments)
roofs: Does Age Matter?
- 08/27/10 03:26 AM
What's that old saying? You're as young as you feel or age is a state of mind. Some days we feel young and some days we don't. The cold reality is we all have a certain number of years on this earth. We have a "life expectancy". The same is true with man made things; they are expected to last a certain number of years. As we know a life can be cut short by unexpected circumstances. The same is true of building components. As an inspector a lot of weight is given to the age of things in the home … (14 comments)
roofs: The Russian Spy and the Patio Roof
- 07/23/10 01:31 AM
Spying is without question a dangerous occupation. A secret agent must have nerves of steel, a bit of a suicidal bent and most importantly a fake identity or cover. If a spy's cover is compromised they may mysteriously disappear one night never to be heard from again. That's how it happens in the spy novels anyway. Seeing this patio roof the other day made me think of compromised covers, but not of the Russian spy variety. You see a good cover relies on a strong foundation for support whether it's a spy's identity or a roof. I found this patio roof to … (18 comments)
roofs: Hard To See the End
- 07/26/09 01:44 AM
Competent home inspectors will always attempt whenever possible to get up on the roof. Often it is not the roof or more accurately the shingles that are of interest, but various other areas that require scrutiny. For example masonry chimneys especially need a thorough looking over inside and out. Any penetrations through the roof and associated flashings need to be examined. Seams where the roof and home join are always of importance. And don't forget those gutters. Arguably some of these "hot spots" can be examined from the ground through a pair of binoculars or the edge of the roof. But … (16 comments)
roofs: Flashing You Should Not See, Manchester CT
- 08/07/07 09:08 AM
This photo is from an inspection I did on Monday. It was a newer (2003) townhouse condo the original owners were selling. You can see the shiny aluminum step flashing along the rake board of the abutting roof gable. The flashing was installed over the board in stead of under. I looked around at the other buildings in the complex and saw the same flashing installation on all that were in view. This installation will allow water behind the flashing and into the walls of the homes. This obvious defect begs the question, why didn't the local inspector see this and … (13 comments)
The other day on my morning home inspection here in Connecticut, I was perched on a roof peak admiring the hacky handiwork of another DIYer when my attention was drawn else where. Being on a roof provides panoramic views of your surroundings. Sometimes the vistas are spectacular while other times simply mundane.
;)
;)
;)
