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   Victory Views Newsletter
   January 2013

HOW TO..
Spot a Failing Roof

4 Keys to Roof Inspections:
 
1. Age.  Be honest with yourself - is the roof older than its intended life?  It may need replacement.
2.  Shingles.  Are they lifting up, cracked, smooth-black-looking (meaning the protective granules have worn off)?  Check by using binoculars; no need to get up on a ladder, and it's safer too.
3.  Flashings.  With your binoculars, check the condition of the flashings.  Are they cracked?  Deteriorating?  is there excessive rust?  They may need replacement.  See examples of problematic flashing, below.
4.  Water stains.  From the attic ladder or steps, look for water stains on the underside of the roof sheathing.  Do not go into the attic if you don't have floorboards; you may need to hire a professional for a closer look.  Especially check after a heavy rain.
 
 
 

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Moving Boxes & Supplies

Greetings!                                                                           

Happy new year!  For 2013 our newsletters will feature "Your Home - Top to Bottom."  We will work our way down the house, covering problem areas, maintenance needs and home improvement opportunities along the way.  Issues will be archived on our website if you ever need to refer back.  So enjoy our first issue on Roofs.                                               

                                                                                         Ken Wehn
                 Victory Home Inspections, LLC

Preventing Ice Dams

 roof ice dam

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of the roof and prevents water from draining.  There must be snow on the roof, warm upper portions of the roof, and freezing lower portions for a dam to form.  As water backs up behind the dam, it can leak through the roof and damage the home interior.

Contrary to popular belief, gutters do not cause ice dams. Gutters can help concentrate ice from the dam in a vulnerable area, however.
 
Prevent ice dams by keeping your attic cold. Add insulation to the attic floor, and seal air leaks in the floor surrounding the attic hatch, ceiling light fixtures from the level below, etc. 
 
You can also remove snow from the roof
using a roof rake.  Resist the temptation to use a snow shovel, yard rake or other tool, and don't try to get up on the roof to get the snow off!

 

Call us for all your home inspection needs:
  • home
  • termite
  • radon
  • pool
  • septic
  • irrigation system
  • well water  
  • stucco

    •   

    Why Use Victory Home Inspections? 

    • 200% satisfaction guarantee
    • 30 years of construction experience
    • Free home security alarm inspection/system
    • Free homeowner's handbook "Now That You've Had a Home Inspection"
    • Full computer-generated report and summary with digital photos typically emailed same day as the inspection
    • 28' ladder to reach the higher roofs
  • Victory Home Inspections, LLC
    786 Garwood Rd.,Moorestown, New Jersey 08057
    856-235-0564   
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