Q: What causes billions of dollars in damage...?

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by kleonard

Yes, roof leaks. If it's a beautiful sunny day at the time of inspection I will look for signs of leaks -present or past - and report my findings. If I see a staining around a chimney in the attic I report it. wet or not, currently leaking or not. I report what I see - discrepancies or not. little or big. I report it.

If you have a client that asks you about inspecting the roof for leaks (and trust me they all do expect it) on a dry day, do you tell them, sorry your SOL, call back on a rainy day.

Big difference in being "required to report roof leaks" and "required to report signs (or evience of) of roof leaks"

I cannot report a roof leak on a clear day. I'd be impressed with anyone who can.

I can report signs of past roof leaks.

Yes they have asked me if the roof leaks and I tell them something along the lines of,

"Since it's not raining right now, I can't tell you if the roof leaks or not. I can look for problem areas on the roof, such as poor flashing, where the roof may leak. I can also look in the attic (and interior) for signs of past leaks."

[James H. Bushart]

Ben...Ben...don't get your panties in such a knot so fast.

I said that "when I see an organic substance consistent with mold I report seeing an organic substance consistent with mold". Your creative parsing of my sentence with your blanks would make it appear that I see "something", but report seeing "something else".

Again, you demonstrate that wit is not genetic. Stop trying so hard.

Contrary to your desire to market your product by presenting it otherwise, one does not need to identify the WDO to report that it exists. It is not essential to the home inspection, the report, or to the client that the inspector take your video course before he tells you that your rotting floor joists have crap on them that could be mold and you might want to have it tested if things like that concern you.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by rmaday

Big difference in being "required to report roof leaks" and "required to report signs (or evience of) of roof leaks"

I cannot report a roof leak on a clear day. I'd be impressed with anyone who can.

I can report signs of past roof leaks.

Yes they have asked me if the roof leaks and I tell them something along the lines of,

"Since it's not raining right now, I can't tell you if the roof leaks or not. I can look for problem areas on the roof, such as poor flashing, where the roof may leak. I can also look in the attic (and interior) for signs of past leaks."

I was thinking the same thing, Rick...

[Kevin M. Leonard]

Originally Posted by rmaday

Big difference in being "required to report roof leaks" and "required to report signs (or evience of) of roof leaks"

I cannot report a roof leak on a clear day. I'd be impressed with anyone who can.

I can report signs of past roof leaks.

Yes they have asked me if the roof leaks and I tell them something along the lines of,

"Since it's not raining right now, I can't tell you if the roof leaks or not. I can look for problem areas on the roof, such as poor flashing, where the roof may leak. I can also look in the attic (and interior) for signs of past leaks."

It's not rocket science & It's really not that impressive, But thanks if you are anyways.

If it hasn't rained in a few days and you encounter the following on a sunny day -
If the sheathing/decking viewed from the attic has wet stains. The roof leaks.
If you view stained & wet insulation in the attic. The roof leaks.
If you view a stain on the underside of a ceiling on the top floor and it has a high moisture content per a moisture meter. The roof leaks. (Granted there are no plumbing or condensation pipes above.)
If you can see the sky from the attic through a hole in the ridge vent. The roof leaks.
If you see daylight from the attic around the chimney or plumbing vents. The roof leaks.
I have seen a few damaged ridge caps where I was able to look into the attic from the roof. I would think it safe to call that a roof leak.

My point being, You don't have to witness water entering the structure to be able to find & report roof leaks.

As Home inspectors, or at least this home inspector, I consider it my job to make every attempt to find and report roof leaks, plumbing leaks or any other type of unwanted moisture incursion regardless of whether it's a rainy day, sunny day, snowy day, etc.

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by kleonard

If it hasn't rained in a few days and you encounter the following on a sunny day -
If the sheathing/decking viewed from the attic has wet stains. The roof leaks.
If you view stained & wet insulation in the attic. The roof leaks.
If you view a stain on the underside of a ceiling on the top floor and it has a high moisture content per a moisture meter. The roof leaks. (Granted there are no plumbing or condensation pipes above.)
If you can see the sky from the attic through a hole in the ridge vent. The roof leaks.
If you see daylight from the attic around the chimney or plumbing vents. The roof leaks.
I have seen a few damaged ridge caps where I was able to look into the attic from the roof. I would think it safe to call that a roof leak.

And if you see none of the above, do you tell them that the roof doesn't leak?

[Kevin M. Leonard]

Originally Posted by rmaday

And if you see none of the above, do you tell them that the roof doesn't leak?

I report what I see.

If I see no problems I report "Roofing materials are in satisfactory condition and performed their designed & intended function." "No discrepancies viewed at time of inspection."

Of course this is not a guarantee. I have discaimers all over the report, and they sign an agreement before the report is delivered.

I often have clients ask me how long the roof will last. I tell them that I do not give estimates on the life of any material, appliance etc. If there is a major storm tomorrow it very well may be damaged, or even damaged beyond econonimical repair. there are also other weather related factors that will affect the life of the roofing materials.

[Larry D. Kage]

Ahh, summer time is near and the grillin' is easy. Don't forget to get the biggest and best wiener.