The electrical service drop is the point where the electrical service wiring enters the home. At this home inspection there was a rather lengthy span between the electrical pole and the service mast.
Fall Home Maintenance Tips
Summer Storm Damage – Now What?
Ice Damming Discussed at Rochester MN Home Inspection
Rochester MN Home Inspector Drives By Roof Collapse
Home Inspector finds roof collapse from snow load
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 ;-).
Your home inspector saw this as I was passing by and couldn't resist stopping and taking a picture.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Discusses Eliminating Ice Dams
Ice dams can be a problem this time of year here in the Rochester MN 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.
Home Inspection Reveals Damage After The Storm
Rochester MN Home Inspectors Video Of Flat Rubber Roof
Home Inspectors Discuss Need For A New Roof
Home Inspections Findings On Loose Gutters
Rochester MN Home Inspectors Video On Soil Stack Flashing
Roof Leak Exposed by Rochester MN Home Inspector
Home Inspection Brings Shingle Discoloration To Light
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.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Recommends Regular Roofing Maintenance
I usually discuss with my clients the importance of yearly roof maintenance. It's better to proactively identify and deal with potential problems before they become widespread. In many cases, if a problem is identified early and properly repaired, the extent and cost of the repairs will be significantly less than if problems were unattended.