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Buying or Selling a Home/roof
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Question
QUESTION: I saw a house that was just beautiful on the inside, but my husband says that there was an addition to the house and the new part of the roof is flat and not on a slope. He says that there is no way the water will run down the roof and that it will settle there causing it to rot. Is this so? And is it expensive to fix the problem? The realtor says that there is some kind of adhesive, cement, or rubber that can be applied so that the water will just slide down the roof. Please reply asap as I am really interested in buying this house, but if it's going to cause major problems, I'll just keep looking for a house.
ANSWER: Depending on how the flat roof was built and what materials were used, is how the roof will perform. It would help if you could get a professional Roofer to look at it more closely.
That said, a flat roof is prone to have a shorter life span and needs more maintenance than a sloped roof. If the flat roof has just a little poor workmanship, or inferior materials, it can become a real problem fast. The solution can sometimes be expensive and a tar patch is not considered a permanent solution. Seek the advise of a professional Roofer that specializes in flat roofs before you close on the sale of this property.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
John McKenna, CMI
Certified Master Inspector
American Home Inspection
and Thermal Imaging
http://texas-inspection.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Would you recommend infrared home inspection? Is it worth it?
Yes... by all means get a qualified Thermographer to do an infrared scan of the entire house. It will show many things that the naked eye cannot see.
Please visit my website to learn more about this technology.
http://texas-inspection.com
Hope this helps,
John McKenna
American Home Inspection
and Thermal Imaging
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John McKenna, CMI
Expertise
I can answer your question about home inspections and the hidden aspects of of the industry. I own American Home Inspection for east Texas and am a Certified Master Inspector. Sometimes there are questions about buying and selling a home that a qualified and honest home inspector can answer. Many people are led to believe incomplete information about repair items and make costly mistakes when they respond. If you do not know enough information or know what to ask, you can buy a nightmare instead of a home. Is your home inspector working for you or the Realtor? Is the owner of the home telling the truth? How do you make sure the contractor who makes repairs will do it right? Is the Realtor moving too fast and causing a person to make hasty choices? What are some of the things the Realtor does not want you to know? What you discover after you are the owner of the home and then decide to sell? What type of box can the home inspector put you in when the new buyer is now inspecting your home? What can you do if the home inspector was negligent? How do you prepare for a home inspection? What should you do with the home inspection report at the negotiating table? What are the signs of sheeple being led to the slaughter? Why do some realtors hate the "deal killer" home inspector? What type of action can you take now to protect yourself from law suite after someone buys your home? When is something a minor or major problem? What are the most common problems found in a home inspection? What can you do to prepare for a home inspection? What questions can you ask the home inspector so you choose the right one? The list goes on and on... "The truth will make you free"
Experience
Over 25 years experience in construction and board certified as a Certified Master Inspector. Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission as a Professional Home Inspector (TREC #4565) and Certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).
Education/Credentials
Certified Master Inspector (CMI)
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI)
Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC #4565)
See more info: http://texas-inspection.com
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