Property & Building Inspection · Task 3 of 19

Roof study notes

Inspect coverings, drainage, flashing, skylights, chimneys and penetrations, and state the method used.

Key points

• Methods: walk the surface, view from a ladder at the eaves, or from the ground with binoculars. Report which one you used.
• Aging signs on asphalt shingles: granule loss, curling, cracking, brittleness and exposed mat.
• Flashing at walls (step plus counterflashing), chimneys (cricket if over 30 in. wide), valleys and vents.
• Ice dams come from heat loss. Ice barrier runs at least 24 in. inside the exterior wall in cold climates.
• Low slope: ponding over 48 hours, blisters, open seams; asphalt shingles need at least 2:12 slope.
• Typically two layers of shingles maximum.

Exam tip

never guarantee remaining roof life; give an estimate with a qualifier.

Practise this task

Try free roof practice questions with answers and explanations, or look up terms in the glossary.

These notes are an original study aid and may contain errors. Verify against current IRC, NEC and NFPA editions and your state's standards of practice.