THE EXTERIOR INSPECTION Learn More About Basements: Read Basement Walls That Dry Quickly, Research Highlights, Technical Series 99- 109, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca Steps to Constructing a Moisture-Resistant Foundation, Build a Better Home, APA— The Engineered Wood Association, Tacoma WA, 2001, www.apawood.org Basement Water Leakage…causes, prevention and correction. National Association of Home Builders, Washington DC, 1989 It's estimated that in an average year, 3 feet of water hit a house. Roofs are continuously exposed to other environmental factors such as snow, ice, sun, hail and temperature extremes. Be sure to inform your client of the method you’ve chosen to inspect the roof and its limitation(s). Your job is to look for potential water intrusion areas, not to certify the condition of the roof. If you suspect a problem, it’s appropriate to recommend that your client seek advice from a roofing expert. Roofs can be the most challenging part of the structure to evaluate. Because of height, pitch and materials used, many roofs cannot be readily accessed. Despite the limitations you might face, it’s important that you be as thorough as possible. You should be able to place a ladder close to the structure so as to inspect surfaces, flashings and roof projections. Most roofs are hazardous and unsafe to walk on. If safe, a walk on the roof is the preferred method but don’t risk your well-being. Your safety is the key—don’t take chances if a situation looks dangerous. In addition, you may cause damage to the roof. You may be able to accomplish this part of your inspection just as effectively by using binoculars. Roof Systems Roof coverings provide a first line of defense against the elements; they also tend to be the most exposed component of a building’s exterior envelope. Roofing materials can wear out, break, rust, blow off, or otherwise fail and expose the roof deck and structural materials beneath to moisture intrusion and damage. Roof Pitch Steep-slope roofs are water-shedding, not waterproof. To prevent water leaks, these roof systems rely on fast drainage, adequate overlapping of elements, and use of underlayment as a back-up layer of protection. By contrast, low-slope systems are designed as waterproof roof systems, and use roof 129
