Tag Archives: roof coverings

SHAKY SITUATION: WOOD SHAKE ROOFING SYSTEM IN NEED OF SOME LOVE

Properly caring for wood shake roofing is essential—and not as difficult as you think. Recently, I came across wood shake roof coverings in Skagit County in need of some TLC.

I considered the wood shake roof coverings on this house as being in marginal-to-poor condition, evidenced by a substantial deterioration of wood shakes. As a result, I advised likely replacement of these roof coverings by a qualified roofing contractor.

To learn more about wood shake roof coverings, and how to care for them, check out the video in this post.

If you have questions or comments about roofing systems or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

Orcas Island Home Inspection Discovers Improperly Installed Roof Coverings!

Tim Hance with All Islands Home Inspections discovers improperly installed roof coverings at a recent home inspection on Orcas Island. Without sufficient eave overlap, the underlying fascia trim, sheathing, and rafters are vulnerable to water and insect damage. Water and insect damage were presenting in many areas of this particular home. A qualified roofing contractor will likely advise the installation of a metal drip-edge flashing detail, installed under the roof coverings and overlapping the wood fascia board to help prevent water and insect damage; a roofing contractor may also want to improve the roof covering overlap/overhang as well.

REPLACING ROOF COVERINGS ON A MANUFACTURED HOME? THEN PLEASE KNOW THIS

Manufactured homes play by different rules when it comes to roof coverings.

With manufactured homes, homeowners must obtain a permit through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries when roof coverings are replaced. It is also imperative not to install more than one (1) layer of roof coverings on a manufactured home without the expressed consent of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and an engineer.

I recently came upon a manufactured home on Fidalgo Island with significant roofing issues. In particular, the home’s 3-Tab roof coverings were deteriorated and well beyond their serviceable life. I noted in my report the possibility of underlying damage not visible without an invasive inspection and recommended budgeting for select repair and replacement of deteriorated sheathing once the roof coverings were stripped. 

Do you have questions or comments about roofing? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).

PRESSURE WASHING YOUR ROOF: JUST A REALLY BAD IDEA

Roof coverings need love. For roof coverings, love means maintenance, such as clearing roof planes of debris or treating roofs on a semi-annual basis to prevent moss growth.

Love does not mean pressure washing a roof, however. Don’t believe me? Roofing experts will tell you the same thing.

Pressure washing can cut the life expectancy of a roof dramatically, and lead to mechanical damage—such as granular loss and exposed fiberglass underlayment at roof shingles. Exposed shingles with granular loss are vulnerable to reduced life expectancy. I discovered this very scenario during a recent inspection in Coupeville.

Do you have questions or comments about roofing? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).