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It has little curb appeal. Your average do-it-yourselfer wouldn't dream of taking it on. And the only time a homeowner gives it a thought, is when it fails. So, what overlooked part of the house are we talking about? Namely, the roof, which is arguably the most important structural element of a house, and therefore something every Home Inspector must know cold.
Although Home Inspectors aren't required to physically get on the roof during their circuit, there's no substitute for an up close visual inspection. In place of walking the roof, Inspectors should at least place a ladder up to the eaves. Most Home Inspectors own both a folding and an extension ladder to get this bird's eye view.
Once an inspector has a good visual, his first order of business is to look for water damage. A leak-prone roof is public enemy number one. Walking on the roof is a good way to find soft spots, which may indicate moisture in the sub-decking and damage to the wood beneath the shingles. A common source of leaks is poorly installed flashing, which is the material (usually metal) that connects the roof to other elements of the house, such as the chimney or a skylight. Flashing is often described as the last line of defense against leaks.
Gutters and downspouts are inspected within the scope of the roof. If they're clogged, or poorly installed, they fail to move water away from the house, and may even result in a flooded basement. A Home Inspector also considers the proximity of nearby trees, whose branches may be littering the roof and gutters with unwanted debris.
An Inspector will encounter several types of roofing materials in the course of his work and he must be familiar with the characteristics and lifespan of each one. By far, the most common roofing material in the U.S. is asphalt shingles. It is made primarily from petroleum and has a life expectancy of between 15 to 30 years, depending on local environmental factors and the slope of the roof.
So, when it comes to inspecting a house, a professional should get up on that ladder, walk the roof shingles and never be afraid of heights.
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