Gallery

Below are photos of some of the common problems we find when doing home inspections, with a description for each.


Damaged Roof Shingle

We inspect the roof for missing and damaged shingles. The damaged shingle pictured above is causing or will cause a roof leak. It is important to inspect the roof defects like this so they can be repaired before they leak and cause additional damage.

shingle damaged

Damaged Skylight

This picture shows a close up of a damaged skylight dome which has cracked at the mounting screw. This skylight will leak in this condition and should be repaired or more likely replaced.
Damaged Skylight

Damaged Roof Decking

This picture shows damaged roof decking a framing caused by water intrusion as seen from the attic space.

The damage seen in this photo is extensive and this area of the roof has probably been leaking for a long time. The roof decking and framing in this area is heavily rotted and will need to be replaced.
damage

Damaged Chimney Cap

This picture shows a deteriorated masonry chimney cap which is a very common chimney defect in the Hudson Valley. The chimney cap in this picture is cracked and eroded to the point that it is no longer preventing water from getting between the flue liner and the bricks or block. Once water starts getting into the bricks and block it can freeze in winter which will cause the brick or block to crack or move. This chimney is also missing a rain hat on the flue liner which is recommended to prevent rain water from running down the flue liner and possibly corroding boiler, furnace, or fireplace damper below.

Moss/Lichen Growing on Roof Shingles

This type of growth on the shingles traps moisture and prevents the shingles from drying out which can significantly shorten the life of the shingles and also cause moisture intrusion and rot to the roof decking below the shingles.
20130303-Moss

Damaged Plumbing Vent Grommet

This picture shows a damaged plumbing vent grommet or boot. The function of the plumbing vent grommet to seal the plumbing vent pipe to the roof which prevents water intrusion. When the grommet is deteriorated as shown in this picture it will allow water to leak into the attic space.

Damaged Plumbing Vent Grommet

Mold Growth on Roof

This picture shows mold growth on the roof decking as seen from the attic space. There are a couple of potential causes for mold growth in this area. It can be caused by inadequate ventilation of the attic space, by venting bathroom or dryer exhaust vents into the attic space instead of the exterior, or by a leaky roof allowing moisture to enter the attic space. In this case the mold growth was seen on the underside of almost all of the roof decking in the attic space and there was little to no ventilation, so it is likely that the lack of ventilation is the primary cause for this growth. Typically mold growth on roof decking due to exhaust vents or roof leaks will occur in localized areas.
mold

Deteriorating Chimney Mortar Joints

This picture shows a chimney with mortar joints that are starting to deteriorate. The mortar joints between the bricks tend to erode much faster than the bricks, which means that eventually mortar will have to replenished or replaced. The process for fixing the mortar joints is commonly referred to as re-pointing. If the mortar joints are not fixed, eventually bricks may come loose or water may end up penetrating the bricks and then freeze causing them to crack or spall.

repoint