Over time, lumber that is needlessly exposed to rain will decay. The most common example of this is usually fascia or rafter tails that extend out from, and are exposed, at the roof. In my experience, quality roofers will put a small piece of shingle, sometimes a flashing, over the exposed wood so rain is carried out over the wood and then it harmlessly drains below. If that has not been done, I would say at least half the time in my experience, the structural lumber has signs of or serious decay. In the photo, you see a piece of exposed structural lumber that extends out from the ridge of the roof. It has no function and was for looks, one at each side of the home, so the best solution to that would be to have trimmed it -- so it was not there in the first place. Getting this look just needlessly caused decay which will eventually travel into the home unless something is done here.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham Home Inspector
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