Recent roof inspection

[dblanchard]

Recent roof inspection of three year old roof.
Roofer did not use plywood clips on seams not aligned over rafters. Plywood decking is warping and pushing up on shingles, creating bulges on the exterior of the roof. Also there wasn’t a single collar tie in the entire roof structure (2” x 6” rafters). I wrote it all up and called for further inspection by a qualified contractor and repaired.
Buyers want it fixed and wants me to do a re-inspection when repairs are complete. Homeowner called this afternoon and said roofer admitted error and did not want to do a tear off of a three year old roof. Instead roofer wants to go in the attic and take lumber, hold it up to the areas bulging and pull the decking back down with screws. Home owner wants to know if this is an acceptable means of repair. It looks to me like the screw size it would take to pull the bulges out would have to be a length that would penetrate the three year old shingles. I am uncomfortable about re-inspections but without them the client is left hanging. Advice? I have photos but I don't know how to display them/load them here.

[rmaday]

Dan,
It my be best for your client to get another roofer to look at this and provide an opinion. Seems your walking a thin line between generalist (HI) and specialist (roofer).
If they want you to verify that the original roofer did as he proposed, that would be easy enough. However, I think that they want you to determine if that is the best course of action.
I'm sure you'll get more educted answers than this, but it is a fine line you're walking.

JMO

[John Bowman]

Originally Posted by dblanchard

Recent roof inspection of three year old roof.
Roofer did not use plywood clips on seams not aligned over rafters. Plywood decking is warping and pushing up on shingles, creating bulges on the exterior of the roof. Also there wasn’t a single collar tie in the entire roof structure (2” x 6” rafters). I wrote it all up and called for further inspection by a qualified contractor and repaired.
Buyers want it fixed and wants me to do a re-inspection when repairs are complete. Homeowner called this afternoon and said roofer admitted error and did not want to do a tear off of a three year old roof. Instead roofer wants to go in the attic and take lumber, hold it up to the areas bulging and pull the decking back down with screws. Home owner wants to know if this is an acceptable means of repair. It looks to me like the screw size it would take to pull the bulges out would have to be a length that would penetrate the three year old shingles. I am uncomfortable about re-inspections but without them the client is left hanging. Advice? I have photos but I don't know how to display them/load them here.

In my opinion - Absolutely not for several reasons. I'll try to hit on a few.

• The repair does not address the lack of clips.
• The repair will not correct the already warped decking. When decking has been warped or damaged the fiber strands of the wood has been permanently disarrayed.
• The use of screws, nails, etc. from the rafters into the decking fail to meet any nailing standard that I am aware of.
• The damage has already compromised and probably voided any shingle or other material warranty.
• The additional movement that would be necessitated in repairing the decking would/could cause more hidden damages and defects that may not show up until later. i.e. (seals broken on flashing, shingles, etc.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by jbowman

In my opinion - Absolutely not for several reasons. I'll try to hit on a few.

• The repair does not address the lack of clips.
• The repair will not correct the already warped decking. When decking has been warped or damaged the fiber strands of the wood has been permanently disarrayed.
• The use of screws, nails, etc. from the rafters into the decking fail to meet any nailing standard that I am aware of.
• The damage has already compromised and probably voided any shingle or other material warranty.
• The additional movement that would be necessitated in repairing the decking would/could cause more hidden damages and defects that may not show up until later. i.e. (seals broken on flashing, shingles, etc.

Thanks Dan
I agree with John and Richard
...Cookie

[dblanchard]

Now we are getting somewhere.
Hello out of country client, you must understand as a home inspector I’m a generalist where a roofer is a specialist. Therefore I cannot determine the best course of action. You need to contact your own roofer/contractor for the best advice. Then shut my mouth. OR
Hello out of country client, you must understand as a home inspector I’m a generalist where a roofer is a specialist. Therefore I cannot determine the best course of action. You need to contact your own roofer/contractor for the best advice. You see the repairs the seller and his roofer want to make will not (then list J's list for not agreeing) then shut my mouth.

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by dblanchard

Now we are getting somewhere.
Hello out of country client, you must understand as a home inspector I’m a generalist where a roofer is a specialist. Therefore I cannot determine the best course of action. You need to contact your own roofer/contractor for the best advice. Then shut my mouth. OR
Hello out of country client, you must understand as a home inspector I’m a generalist where a roofer is a specialist. Therefore I cannot determine the best course of action. You need to contact your own roofer/contractor for the best advice. You see the repairs the seller and his roofer want to make will not (then list J's list for not agreeing) then shut my mouth.

Dan,
You asked for the advice, and that was and is my recomendation for a second opinion. Your post seems to be a bit sarcastic, and I don't understand why.

How 'bout this...

Hi family practice doctor, the migranes I've complained to you about haven't gone away and the neuro surgeon I've seen says that he wants to drill a hole through my skull while I'm concious to acess my cerebral cortex and fuse my synapses to help this. He said this would be better than doing a fully open brain surgery. What do you think?
Would you think less of your family practice doctor for recomending a second opinion?

If you want to give your stamp of aproval to a roofer that you've never met nor seen his work **edit** except that he already screwed this up once **end edit** go right ahead. Just make sure you understand the potential liability you are incurring. Even if everything he proposes is standard practice (which I don't think it is, but that is beside the point) he still needs to execute it properly and if not you will be getting the call as to why you "approved" this.

Again,
JMO

[dblanchard]

Richard, Sorry you took my last post wrong. I was rehearsing how I am going to approach the client. It was a joke.

[rmaday]

[rmaday]

Gottcha, try emphasizing this point to them

Originally Posted by rmaday

he already screwed this up once

[James F. McKee]

Originally Posted by dblanchard

Richard, Sorry you took my last post wrong. I was rehearsing how I am going to approach the client. It was a joke.

and there in lies the shortcoming of the keyboard....no one can see your facial expression, only the words you type ...meanings can get greatly confused ...I think you've been given some good advice Dan....as a guy that has put on a few roofs i sure would not subscribe to the suggested repairs, but more importantly that is not our call to make....I would recommend the opinion of a qualified un-interested contractor and back away from this as graciously as possible.....just my opinion....jim
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[dblanchard]

That is exactly what I'm going to do. I'm fixen to send them an email now. Thanks for all the good advice.