By: Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
Our home inspector did not go on the roof to inspect it. He just checked it from the ground and from his ladder. Is this okay, or do we have reason to question the thoroughness of the inspection? --Laurie
Dear Laurie,
Home inspectors typically inspect a roof by walking on the surface, as this is the best way to observe and evaluate all pertinent conditions. There are, however, six common conditions that would keep an inspector off the roof:
- The surface is too steep to provide safe footing.
- The surface is too high for access with a normal length ladder.
- The roofing is so deteriorated that foot traffic would cause further damage.
- Surface conditions such as snow, ice, moisture or moss make the roof too slippery.
- The roofing consists of tiles that might break under foot pressure.
- The sellers have ordered the inspector to stay off the roof.
Barring these circumstances, a competent inspector should include a walk on the roof.
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