Roof Inspections

[twile]

Do you guys get up on tile roofs for the inspections or inspect from accessible ladder for visual?

[John Shishilla]

I usually will not walk on tile. From ladder and binoculars.

[wsiegel]

John,

If you dont walk the roof, how do you know if there are any loose field or ridge tiles. Most tile roofs will not crack under your weight. The only ones you have to be real careful with are the clay tile.

[ldapkus]

I've got one scheduled for Saturday with a clay tile roof. Buyer asked if I will be walking on it. Nope. I've got binoculars, a ladder and 20X zoom camera.

[John Shishilla]

Originally Posted by wsiegel

John,

If you dont walk the roof, how do you know if there are any loose field or ridge tiles. Most tile roofs will not crack under your weight. The only ones you have to be real careful with are the clay tile.

The biggest problem is not whether or not I will crack them. The biggest problem is when they do crack I will be blamed. If a customer wants me to walk it, I will, with their permission and blessing. Most people who have clay do not want you on it. IMHO

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

It depends on the type of tile and installation, the pitch and the weather conditions. It's a judgment call.

[Russell J. Hensel]

I personally walk 99% of the roofs I come across.

Loose fields, loose ridge cap, poor flashing in certain areas, cracked tiles, poor/deteriorated flashing, weather cap at electrical mast and other items cannot be found with Binoculars and a camera.

Its a business decision, but I walk almost every single roof. I want the buyer to get the best inspection possible. If they blame me, so what? They blame me for their water heater not working, the double tap in their panel, AC not working...It was all working yesterday, it must have been something I did. If I worried about that I could really inspect nothing.

If its not too steep, weather permitting I am on the roof with about 8 to 12 pictures in the report showing that I did in fact walk the roof.

Once again, its a business decision but not walking on the roof is like not taking the cover off the electrical panel. So many issues can be missed.

I am not saying I am right, it just works out for me.

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

tile: I refer to free roof company inspections
others : I walk

[Russell J. Hensel]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

tile: I refer to free roof company inspections
others : I walk

First if that works for you then AWESOME. I am NOT saying I am right, but here is why I would not do that. #1, I never call a person in to do a job I can do. I am NOT saying if I am not qualified to do the job I attempt it. I am saying I LEARN it ASAP! I never want another person outside my company on the site. Just my way of doing business.

#2 - When a roofing company is called in then the UNBIASED evaluation is now biased. Just my 2 cents.

[Bob Elliott]

Why are you guys in those clay tile areas not using HD video on a pole?
$50 in parts sets you up.

This is from 12-23-10 and video still shot.
Am I missing any details? (Dark cloudy day)
[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

See something wrong?

[David A. Andersen]

Every chance i get!!!

I hold out my insurance papers in my left hand while doing so (just so they will be handy for the home owner who will want to know WTF your doing up there).

Make sure you take up a collection to assist you in your medical bills before hand.

Disregard all statements in the SOP that says you don't have to do anything that will hurt you or the property you are inspecting...

[Russell J. Hensel]

G. walk on any roof areas that appear, in the opinion of the inspector, to be unsafe.
H. walk on any roof areas if it might, in the opinion of the inspector, cause damage.

I guess it reads that it is UP TO THE INSPECTOR. Do as you wish. No one forces anything upon anyone. I feel comfortable with inspecting and walking on 99% of the roofs I come across. Just my opinion. Do what works for you and your company.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by belliott

Why are you guys in those clay tile areas not using HD video on a pole?
$50 in parts sets you up.

How do you control the camera? What parts do you buy?

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by kshepard

How do you control the camera? What parts do you buy?

28 foot window washer pole and camera mount from any tripod is pretty much all you need.
The PVC coupling parts are around 50 cents and easy to figure.
Being doing it for over a year and never had a client do anything but compliment the technique which actually sees more in many cases (such as tops of tall chimney's.
I also get a nice closeup of window framing.
Published details and pictures here many times.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

How do you control the camera?