TOPIC: This Roof's For You

I could have taken 30 pictures of this small front porch.  The seller, not from here, nor anywhere above the border between Central America and Mexico (you get my drift), proudly proclaimed to the realtor, not me, that he had built the small 6'x4' roof over the front porch stoop.  I would have never guessed differently.

Driving up I noticed the two small, turned columns, 3"x9', splayed interestingly and no where near plumb.  They were bowing somewhat under the load, and the load was not terrific.  The "trim" on the front would best be described as "not symmetrical," or "not professional," or even "not done by an adult..."  The trim on the side merely abuts the vinyl siding.  One piece of side trim is a 1"x3" and the other 1"x4" - nearly the same!  I can only imagine how this roof was attached to the house.  The buyer and I guess probably with something other than a 2"x6", and perhaps with a couple of nails in each.  Hopefully the nails hit a stud.  It appears to have been painted yesterday, perhaps to hide staining.

All in all, just standing beside the porch and looking up, even before I set up my ladder, I knew this was going to be another typical inspection of another typical foreclosure renting rooms by the day to a house full of squatters who moved in and have taken over until they are forced to leave.  These squatters are ruining the place, perhaps on purpose.  It was a mess, surely not a strong enough word.

We had to ask the 16 people inside the house to leave.  Pretending not to understand English, they had no choice once they heard and understood my very polite, very firm, and very adult Spanish.  I spoke to them like a teacher would speak to elementary school children.  One said, "You Argentines think you can tell anybody to do anything."  What does that tell you about my Spanish, and, well, and my blond hair and blue eyes?  They left without response.  I did find another person sleeping in one of the 7 "bedrooms" later, whom I asked to leave so we could conduct an "official" inspection.  He left quickly when he saw four people standing in front of him.

I selected these two pictures to show how this roof was shingled and how the porch was installed without flashing.  If you don't know how to flash, well, what's next?  Silicone!  Both sides looked just like this.  And, you will notice, there are two fine layers of shingles.  There had to be because if they are not staggered they will leak quickly.  There was no evidence of tar paper.  And no gutters or drip edges on the sides.

The rear roof had sustained some wind damage to the shingles.  We had a terribly strong wind storm about a month ago.  The repairs to those missing sections, perhaps a total of 50 square feet, look very similar to the shingles on this front porch roof.  Not staggered, pieces here and there, the ends of some not nailed, and put right on top of the upper course they are intended to repair.  There were broken pieces all over the roof and yard.

I could treat you to another 50 or so posts regarding the interior.  But why spoil your day any further?

Two of my three inspections yesterday were like this.  The beat goes on.  Unfortunately, I think the beat will not only go on, but get worse.  This is a problem we are just beginning to experience.

Oh boy...

Jay

You charge to much and are to picky. I supposed you ruined another deal.

I think you should refer this fine workmanship to future clients. 

Hugs and kisses  :-*

Dave

I would be glad to see some more photos of this beautiful craftmanship.

Dave - we ask now when people call if the house is a foreclosure and if it is tack an extra $50 to the price.  This buyer was in construction and remodeling and we had a few good laughs together.  He went into this eyes wide open...!

I hope he got a REALLY good deal on it!

I don't know what he paid for the house.  All I know is my fee.  He was comfortable with what he was going to do - gut it essentially and make it into a new house.  As a remodeling professional, he has the wherewithal to do that.

Typically I don't take pictures during an inspection.  What I do take, it is only for other purposes - sharing them with message boards or putting them on my website.

Wow! I just don't know what else to say! Is there a time limit on a forclosure in Virginia before the bank can re-sell. I don't think I have seen any squatters around here.

You seem to have all the fun!!