Roof Structure Defects List & Home Inspection Education

DEFECTS LIST - STRUCTURE, ROOF - Recommendations for inspecting the roof structure
- List of typical roof structure defects
- Lists of important defects for residential buildings
- What does a home inspector need to know? Home inspection training and education curriculum recommendations
BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS - separate article
Questions & Answers about home & building inspection courses, standards, & defect checklists for building roofs & roof coverings
References

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This article lists significant roof structure defects, definitions, and home inspection education topics. This article series, beginning at BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS, provides lists of common building defects and basic defect knowledge that also outline recommended curriculum content for home inspector education. The building defects and inspection points listed in these articles also guide homeowners and home buyers to building areas that merit careful attention and often point areas of safety concern or important maintenance and repair tasks.

Home Inspection Education Curriculum - Structure, Roof

2.4 Roof Framing Inspection Recommendations & Defects List

2.4.1 Knowledge Base for Roof Structure Inspections

1. Describe the function of roof framing systems.

2. Describe these common roof framing configurations: rafters, roof joists and ceiling joists; trusses.

3. List the materials and components of each roof type (rafter, roof joist, ceiling joist, collar tie, knee wall, purlin, web, chord, wood I TJI?,Wood I-joist. or engineered truss joists JDG sheathing, struts).

4. Describe the features of adequate installation and repair technique for each system.

5. Define the following terms:

roof rafter spreading, dishing, sagging, end bearing, heel, toe, hip rafter, valley rafter, jack rafter, horizontal projection, ridge board, ridge beam, gable wall, gable overhang, cathedral roof, compression web in truss, span, truss uplift, FRT plywood.

6. Identify the codes or standards which apply to roof framing systems in your area.

2.4.2 Inspection Skills for Roof Structure Inspections

1. Describe the inspection procedure for roof framing systems.

2. Identify the common defects listed on the next page.

3. Describe the implication of each defect.

4. Identify safety issues for the inspector and occupant of the home (falling through ceiling, electric shock, attack by pests, skin, lung or nasal irritation from insulation).

5. Communicate findings to client verbally and in writing, recommending corrective action where needed.

ROOF FRAMING TYPICAL DEFECTS List

RAFTERS, Typical Defects List

• Bearing on ridge board

• Concentrated loads

• Endbearing not adequate

• Mechanical damage

• Rafter spread

• Ridge sag

• Rot, insect or fire damage

• Sagging

• Spliced

• Split

• Too small or overspanned

• Warped

• Weak framing at openings

• Weak connections

• Birdmouth cuts improper at top plate

ROOF TRUSSESS, Typical Defects List

• Buckled webs

• Endbearing

• Mechanical damage

• Missing webs

• Modified (improperly)

• Notches, holes

• Rot, insect or fire damage

• Sag

• Truss uplift

• Weak connections

ROOF SHEATHINGS, Typical Defects List

• Buckled

• Delaminated

• FRT deterioration

• Mold (or mis-labeled as "mldew")

• Rot, insect or fire damage

• Sag

• Too thin (3/8" or 1/4")

Roof COLLAR TIES, Typical Defects List

• Buckling

• Loose or poor connections

• Mechanical damage

• Missing

• Need lateral bracing

• Rot, insect or fire damage

ROOF I JOISTS, Typical Defects List

• Birds’ mouths ?

• No ridge beams

• Notched

• Rot, insect or fire damage

• Toe bearing or endbearing inadequate

• Weak connections

KNEE WALLS/PURLINS, Typical Defects List

• Buckling

• Mechanical damage

• Poor connections

• Purlins installed on side

• Purlins sagging

• Removed, needed

• Rot, insect or fire damage

• Single top plate, sag

• Purlin struts too small

Readers should see STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS for our complete list of articles on this topic. Also see HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS. Use the Search Box at the top or bottom of these pages to find in-depth information about building, energy savings, and indoor environment inspection, diagnosis and repair at this website. Watch out: these inspection lists do not list all possible defects for the systems discussed, and not all home or building inspectors will examine all of the items listed here. CONTACT us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website.

Also see ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR.

These curriculae and building defect lists are based on smilar curriculum documents first prepared by Joe Scaduto, an ASHI member who prepared course material for Northeastern University's Building Inspection Certificate program in 1988, subsequently by DF, InspectApedia's editor, for New York University ca 1988 and later, with others, recommended to ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. ASHI did not adopt this material though currently that association as well as others offer extensive HOME INSPECTOR EDUCATION material. The curriculum and lists of defects are informed by additional analysis of the process of home inspection that was developed beginning Calgary, AB for Canadian and U.S. home inspector education and certification examinations in 1997. Other early contributors to home inspection education in the U.S. and Canada include Dr. Jess Aronstein, Alan Carson, Mike Casey, Mark Cramer, John Cox, Dwight Barnett, Douglas Hansen, Rick Heyl, Larry Hoytt, Bill Merrill, Kevin O'Malley, Dennis Robitalille, Keith Peddie, Pat Porzio, Roger Robinson.

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
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  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com 11/06
Roger Hankey is principal of Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN. Mr. Hankey is a past chairman of the ASHI Standards Committee. Mr. Hankey has served in other ASHI professional and leadership roles. Contact Roger Hankey at: 952 829-0044 - rhankey@hankeyandbrown.com. Mr. Hankey is a frequent contributor to InspectAPedia.com.
Arlene Puentes, an ASHI member and a licensed home inspector in Kingston, NY, and has served on ASHI national committees as well as HVASHI Chapter President. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
Wikipedia provided background information about some topics discussed at this website provided this citation is also found in the same article along with a " retrieved on" date. NOTE: because Wikipedia entries are fluid and can be amended in real time, we cite the retrieval date of Wikipedia citations and we do not assert that the information found there is necessarily authoritative.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

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ASHI Certification Links
Home Inspection Reports - a Critique narrative vs. checklist type home inspection reports
ASHI Standards of Practice - Jan 2000 and ASHI Standards History - links to older and alternative versions of Home Inspection Standards
ASHI Code of Ethics 1993, and ASHI Ethics History - links to older versions; Note: newer may be found at ASHI
ASHI in 1996 ASHI History - association description from 1996
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Official Website
Basement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Crawl Space Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
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Home Inspection Education Curriculum - Structure, Roof

2.4 Roof Framing Inspection Recommendations & Defects List

2.4.1 Knowledge Base for Roof Structure Inspections

2.4.2 Inspection Skills for Roof Structure Inspections

ROOF FRAMING TYPICAL DEFECTS List

RAFTERS, Typical Defects List

ROOF TRUSSESS, Typical Defects List

ROOF SHEATHINGS, Typical Defects List

Roof COLLAR TIES, Typical Defects List

ROOF I JOISTS, Typical Defects List

KNEE WALLS/PURLINS, Typical Defects List

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about roof structural defect checklist, inspection, problems

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair