Home Inspection
Anecdote About the Author
How
Important Is A Roof Inspection?
MAY 2001 by John R. Berry As a home buyer, or a REALTOR® representing a home buyer,
you want to know if there's a raccoon family living in your chimney, or if their
are any other expensive surprises waiting for you when the house is later
occupied. No one wants to move into a home only to discover that the roof
leaks. A good home inspector will always walk on the roof. It is
impossible to see all the defects (or any raccoons) with binoculars from the
ground. Some roofs, however, are too steep or are made of fragile materials
such as slate or cedar shakes. In these situations, the roof inspection
should be done from a ladder against the gutters of each side of the house,
viewing with binoculars. |
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The inspector should check the roof materials, gutters,
pipe vents and flashings, skylights, ridge vents, parapet walls, exhausters,
and the chimney top (crown), cap,
liner, flashing, and chimney
materials. No roof inspection is complete without a visit to the attic.
(Attic inspections will be discussed in next months article.) Roof repairs can entail as little as 15 minutes of
caulking or as much as replacing the entire roof. Roof leaks can cause ruined
roofing felt, rotten sheathing, and even rotten rafters, not to mention the
damage to interior finishes, flooring and carpeting. Protect yourself or your buyer/client by getting a home
inspection as a home purchase contract contingency. The inspection will
identify repairs that are needed. Considering the cost of repairs that
sellers typically agree to pay for, the cost of the inspection usually pays
for itself, and more! ©2000, 2001, 2002 Quarry-Pyramid, Inc. |
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