You likely wouldn’t know it by looking at it, but the first two photos are of a ROOF. A Mansard-style roof, to be exact. And yes, those are leaves and plants growing ON the roof. A Mansard roof is characterized by having very steep slopes/pitch on each side of the house and a flat or nearly flat roof surface which can lend to very spacious attic areas and more living space within the home. However, this style of architecture must be cleaned and cleared of debris on a regular basis especially when surrounded by trees. This particular roof was covered in extensive tree debris, moss, plant growth, and even puddles from a recent rain. This has caused and will continue to cause improper drainage to the gutter, slope blocking, and it adds weight to the surface of the roof. Water/moisture is the NUMBER ONE cause of damage and deterioration for all homes. All water should shed away from the roof surface and foundations. The ponding water on this roof compromises the integrity of the roof structure and during colder months will freeze and thaw, further damaging the roof. These photos were taken during one of my home inspections on a house that was for sale. As you can imagine, this is not an ideal way to showcase a home and it of course led me to problems in the attic as well. This is a perfect example of how home inspections shed light on concerns around the home – whether you are a buyer, seller, or looking for maintenance issues.
Sneaky Leaks Revisited
June 20, 2022
1 thought on “Unique Roofs Mean Unique Challenges”
They say we should be thankful if we have a roof above our head and food on our plate. I think we are all forgetting something really important here. I have been living in a campsite for almost a year now and I say the most important part of the house is the toilet. It’s the only time you can feel dignified. You can survive without any food but you will go on a complete short circuit if you are always being restricted of the little times you need to go. I am under a lot of stress right now because I had to walk five meters to go to the nearest toilet.