What the Ottawa House Inspector Saw - Shingles

Posted on January 18, 2010 
Filed Under Valerie Zinger

You, the Buyer, can rest assured that your House Inspector will look at the roof of your prospective house as a matter of course.  He or she is looking for damaged or old shingles and any issues resulting from the installation of skylights, the chimney, flashing, etc.  If there are age or installation problems, the most significant impact is potential water damage inside the house. 

During the inspection, listen to the home inspector and make sure you ask questions about the roof. 

One challenge that cannot be easily conquered is Ottawa winters and several inches of snow on the roof.  Almost all inspectors will qualify their inspection by not including the roof - if it is too dangerous to go on the roof and it is impossible to do a visual inspection from the ground.  Snow is snow and underneath it is often a layer of ice.  Be ready not to know everything about your house if it is January and there is no way to get on the roof.

Replacing a roof is costly - quickly done by professional roofers but at a significant expense.  Where possible, make sure that there is some life left on the roof.

Photo credit:  V.Zinger

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