notbedidea3: The Not So Great Cover Up- When Roof Patches Don't Work

Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Not So Great Cover Up- When Roof Patches Don't Work

When portions of a roof need a cover up, often I see the not so great cover up - when roof patches don't work.

This is a five year old house.? The roofing shingle is a very durable, architectural shingle.? It's a good roof.

However, the gutter guy didn't quite know how to handle this architectural detail!

He ran the gutter to where he thought it would capture water from the roof above, and then attempted the great cover up for the rest.

The cover up is a piece of white sheet metal.

It is glued in place on the left side with a gallon of some very fine caulking.

It does not cover everything it needs to cover.? THERE ARE GAPS EVERYWHERE!

Water obviously gets behind it.

Because of the angle of the sun the roof sheathing reveals that it is sagging badly underneath.

Likely it is rotting, and rotting badly.

Unfortunately, from inside the attic this section of sheathing is not visible.

It will have to be investigated from outside by a roofer.? It is very high, and the ground slopes down at this point.

The photo is taken from a hill behind the house, with a telephoto lens!?

Hard to see in the photo above, on the right side of that roof edge is a piece of sheet metal.

Unknown how it is attached, it is full of holes and certainly not water tight.

This is a very high location and I bet it was thought that nobody would see this.? It is clearly visible with my 20x binoculars (with image stabilizer) and the sun's angle helped.

My recommendation:? it is important that all aspects of a roof be looked at.? Sometimes the sun gives its assistance!? But no matter what, especially when very high, and when what is obviously a problem reveals itself, the only option is further review by a professional.? And that gutter arrangement needs improvement too!

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC??