I was asked to inspect this roof before its sale. There was evidence of leaks on the inside ceiling, but the owner assured the buyer that they had just had a new roof installed to fix the problem. The pictures speak for themselves. Unfortunately, I see many roofs in our area with substandard flashing details. What kind of contractor would not automatically realize that a cricket is necessary in order to keep this area from being a problem. The back side of this chimney is over 5′ across on a 4 in 12 pitch roof with 20′ of roof above it, and the flashing detail, or lack of a flashing detail, is also far to common around here. Trowel grade roofing asphalt is always the answer, and if a little is good then alot must be better.
Yet another strong argument for certified builders. I would be willing to bet that the quality of work would rise if the consequence of work like this was that your license was suspended or revoked. Until then……
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I know it leaks, but if I just stop the water before it gets there then.......
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If I just put enough tar here then maybe the water will evaporate before it gets all the way inside.
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If the art of flashing isn't extinct, it is at least on the endangered skills list.
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I'm always amazed at how many people think because someone is a legal, licensed contractor that they know how to build.
In my state, like, many areas, you don't have to know the difference between a 2x4 and a 4x4 or a rafter and a joist, or have ever driven a nail in a piece of wood to be a contractor. The only requirement is to have the money to buy the license and the insurance, and you are a contractor. In many jurisdictions it only became required to have a license in recent years and, I think there are still places that still don't require licensing.
yes there are Maine is one of them. Its an amazing place but there is some interesting things people do when working on houses. I think the whole being licensed thing is a joke though i think you should have too pass some kind of building test structural being the top one on the list. i've taking apart some decks up here with my hands and a hammer and that should just not be done. Not to mention the amount of scary things you find when opening up a old house wall that looks like the middle school came up with the plans. But on a good note we have some very good builders. i work for a company called holloway contruction inc and i have been very pleased with how they build and always go above min. code req.
Not in all states in MA you must pass the Construction Supervisor License.
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/csl/construction-supervisor-license.html
But in CT was way too easy to get a license.
But there are plenty of GOOD and BAD contractors everywhere. Most people run into trouble with contractors because they select who they hire based on one question. "How much will it cost"? and they pick the cheapest guy. Or they pick a friend of a friend. And then they wonder why it all goes wrong. A Permit and inspections do not guarantee it is done right as it is up to engineers and architects to do their job and builders to do their Job. The Building inspector is just looking at the job after each step he is not there as it is done. But when someone says "no you don't need a permit" then he is probably not going to do it right. Be they a DIY friend or calling themselves a contractor. There are times I feel this industry gets a bad rap as there are a lot is really good builders and subcontractors out there. BUT there are also a bunch of guys who entered the building trades because they could not or find work or keep a job doing anything else. And they have no business being anywhere near a job site. The situation is also getting worse as fewer and fewer young people see a job in the trades as a goal they want. So many skilled tradesmen are aging and moving to retirement without having trained a apprentice. Trade schools are a start but nothing replaces working under a true Master of a trade for 5-6 years to really learn you trade.