Recommend further evaluation by Licensed Structural Engineer
We had a lot of snow this past winter and apparently the load exceeded the design specifications of this garage roof. Or maybe deferred maintenance caught up with structure. Whatever the case, it appears this garage is near the end of it’s useful life 
.
Saw this as I was passing by and couldn’t resist stopping and taking a picture.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
Ice Dam
Ice dams can be a problem this time of year here in the Rochester area. Snow melts on the roof and freezes at the eaves leaving a dam. Continued melting will pool up behind the dam and has the potential to seep under your shingles, resulting in water damage to both the roof deck, as well as the walls and ceilings. During this home inspection I discovered that most all of the insulation from the roof deck had fallen loose in the partial attic section of this story and a half home. In addition, there was no insulation on the interior knee wall, and very little insulation in the ceiling area. The problem results in heat escape to the roof deck, causing the snow melt.
The recommendation here is to hire an insulation contractor to provide adequate insulation to the affected areas to increase insulation efficiency and eliminate the ice damming.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
Sometime it doesn’t hurt to maybe take a look at the roof after a storm. This might also explain the stain on the bedroom ceiling.
I recommend that metal roof vents be used over the less expensive plastic models. Saving a few bucks when installing a roof veny may result in repairs down the road.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
Here is a good example of a flat rubber roof that is part of an addition to a home. It was raining while I performed this inspection so I was able to see that there was a low area in the center of this roof. The home owner was made aware that this is something that he should keep an eye on, also as you can see on the video… the gutters were plugged with leaves.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
It’s coming up on Fall, and if you need a new roof on your home, now is the time to have one installed. Before you start, there are a few things you should know. You need to make sure and take the entire roofing system into account and not just think about the shingles. The best shingles out there cannot protect your home if any one of the other components of the roofing system is not working or performing properly.
What is “Roofing System” and how do I choose the correct one for my home?
The first thing you need to know are the signs that a roof will need to be replaced. Just like I do when performing a home inspection, you will need conduct a visual inspection of the roof and it’s components. Do this either by walking the roof, viewing from a ladder or from the ground using binoculars of the roof is steep. If you are not comfortable with this process, check out the Rochester and Southeastern MN yellow pages for a reputable roofing contractor.
Some signs that you may need a roof replacement include algae or moss growth on the shingles, damaged flashing around the chimney or other roof openings and vents, curling, buckling, blistering, missing shingles and or tabs, and or rotten wood on the underside of the roof as seen from the attic.
The next step is to make sure you understand what a roofing system is so you will know what questions to ask after you have chosen a contractor. It’s pretty easy if you think of your roof as serving three important functions. Does it protect your home from the elements? Is there adequate ventilation? Does it add to the beauty of your home?
- Underlayment provides your roof protection against water seepage between the roof deck and the shingles.
- Ice and water barriers help to protect your roof’s eves and valleys from Ice, Snow, and driving rains.
- Shingles provide beauty and protect your home from the elements.
- Hip and ridge shingles add extra protection to the ridge line of your home.
- Gutter systems will work better if they have protection or a system in place that will prevent leaf and debris build up and clogs
- Adequate ventilations will allow your attic to breath, reducing heat and moisture build up and preventing mold growth.
- Your home’s insulation keeps the heat in and the cold out, helping to reduce energy consumption and maintain comfort.
It is best if you can choose one manufacturer for all components of your roofing system. Manufacturers design their systems for maximum performance.
Keep in mind that choosing the right contractor is just as important as choosing the right roofing products. Use references from friends and co-workers, or your local building materials center. Be sure to check out contractors’ license status before you start asking for bids. Also remember that the lowest bid isn’t always the best deal. You need to make sure everything you need is covered and that you are comparing apples to apples before you make a decision.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
Most gutter manufacturers provide several methods to hang gutters. During home construction, the quick and cheap method of hanging rain gutters involves nailing them to the fascia board with large spikes. Over time these large spikes often loosen. Plastic type hangers can deteriorate or distort due to elements. Climate changes in Southeast MN can cause gutters to pull away and leave gaps between the fascia board and gutter which will result in leakage and potential water damage. Leaking will allow roof water to accumulate near the foundation, and/or cause erosion issues. This is important because many times, wet or damp basement issues can be traced back to gutters, downspouts and grading next to the structure.
There are answers for you. Your HomePro Home Inspector can offer these tips to tighten those loose gutters:
Depending on their condition, old flashings can be reused when a roof is re-shingled. Your roofing contractor will be able to determine what is the best optionon whether to reuse or replace. This video is from a recent home inspection where the soil stack and furnace flue have been properly flashed.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
We were very satisfied with our home inspection. The walk through not only confirmed what we had already knew, but pointed out many things we didn’t know about the home. We feel we now have a very good set of background information about our new home.
On this home inspection the sellers had disclosed that they had had a leak the previous winter and that the problem had been fixed by removing an ice dam and sealing at the roof to wall intersection. Upon further investigation it is possible that the leak has come from higher up on the roof. I recommend that the owner contact their local Rochester roofing contractor to remedy the problem.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspection, Rochester, Southeast, MN. 507-202-8942
If your home has light colored shingles, you may notice black streaking, especially on the north facing side. In areas where there is less sunlight, you will tend to have more dampness. With dampness comes mildew and fungus growth.
The best way to prevent mildew and fungus growth is to provide as much ventilation and sunlight as possible. Of course, this is easier said than done in some cases. Try to keep branches trimmed back on trees so that there is as much sunlight on the roof as possible.
There is no quick fix to mildew and fungus short of replacing the roof. I highly recommend that you hire a professional for cleaning your roof. Another option is to check with your local Rochester, or Southeastern MN building supply or hardware store for products that are designed to remove mildew. Make sure you follow all safety and health precautions when using any chemicals to treat a roof. Mildew removal products may affect paint, gutters, and plants, so again, make sure you follow all safety and application instructions.
Another product, which I have installed on my roof, is called Shingle Shield. This product consists of zinc strips that are placed under the edge of the shingles near the peak of the roof. Rain reacts with the zinc to create a chemical that will prevent the growth of mildew and fungus on your roof. Ever notice how white shingles remain white below metal roof flashings? Same concept with the zinc strips. Again, you should consult a professional roofer for installation of this product. It must be noted, that the zinc strips may not remove existing mildew and fungus. You may have to have your roof treated to remove existing mildew and fungus prior to installing the zinc strips.
If you are planning on replacing the roof on your home, you can also look into shingles that have mildew resistant chemicals built right into them. Or have the zinc strips installed with the new roof.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
Rick was very helpful when buying our first home. He walked through every inch and tested everything in his path. He was able to explain in detail why things needed to be looked at or checked. I would recommend Rick to anyone that needs to have a home inspected. Thanks again!
Steph & Chris A, Rochester, MN
Rick, Thanks for a Great Job on my inspection and the follow up phone call with regard to my existing drive way. That “free” advice means a lot.
Ron E, Pine Island, MN
The final walk through was great, nice and casual. Thanks for pointing out things to fix. These were things I would have missed but will help make my home nicer to live in.
Cory H, Red Wing, MN