Inspecting the Exterior of the House and the Roof

Exterior Walls

After the structure and equipment of the basement have been examined thoroughly, the inspection of the exterior of the home is the next step in the inspection process.

If the walls are masonry, you should look for cracks or broken bricks or blocks, especially above the door and window openings. Look to see if the mortar joints require pointing. You also need to note whether or not there is any signs of efflorescence (moldy or white blotches or streaks) on the face of the wall, particularly below the window sills and near the down spouts. Sometimes these moldy areas can be brought about by the use of steam showers, an infrared sauna, or faulty shower doors.

The principal signs of defects or deterioration in stucco are cracks and the chipping off or falling out of any particles. The most likely places to observe these defects are over the doors and windows and near the ground. These surface marks are more readily seen after it has been raining and the dampness penetrates. Discoloration in the form of dust or rust streaks may appear below the window sills or other ledges.

If the house is of frame construction, examine the siding for loose or decayed boards. Look for blisters on painted surfaces and indications of cracking or of the paint peeling off in places. As the blisters are generally caused by moisture on the back of the film of paint, look for possible sources of such moisture, such as in a leaky roof, down spouts or water pipes.

Exterior Side of Windows

When examining the windows on the outside of the house, look to see if there is any flashing over the window caps so that it will turn the water. You should also inspect the flashing to make sure it is in good condition.

Other factors to examine on the exterior of the windows include:

o Look for holes or large cracks at window sills. They will appear if the inside stool, or ledge, is not well nailed down. They may exist where parting strips and pulley stiles meet the sill, or where the top sill joins the wood or brick subsill.

o If backhand molding is used around the top and sides of the outside casing, see that it is nailed tightly against the casing.

o Probe between the frame and the wall at each side of the window to see whether calking is needed to keep out dampness and cold, and to keep any steam from an indoor hot tub, steam shower, or sauna from affecting the walls and causing mold to grow.

o While looking over the windows examine the putty around the panes to find out whether it is firmly in place.

Roof, Flashing, and Gutters

Leaks in the roof are rarely detected from the outside. If there is no ceiling in the attic, holes in the roofing material are often readily visible from the inside. In this case they can be marked by pushing straws through the holes so that they protrude above the surface of the roof. If there is a ceiling in the attic, there may be stains on the plaster, which will indicate that there is a leak.

If the roof is made of slate, tile, wood shingles or composite shingles, you need to examine it closely to see if any of the pieces have been broken or have blown off. You also need to check to make sure that they are not loose. In the case of wood of composite shingles, check to make sure that they haven't warped or are partly decayed or disintegrated.

If the house is covered with metal roofing, look for holes, cracks, or open joints. See if paint or special coating has worn off due to any bathtubs, bathroom fixtures, or hot tubs emitting extra moisture. A similar examination should be made where roll roofing has been used.

Examine the flashing around the chimney and vent pipes as well as in the valleys of the roof to make sure there is no sign of rusting or of the vents being out of place. Leaves, rubbish and birds' nests in gutters can be problematic. They can clog up downspouts if the debris is not removed. Check the strainers over the mouths of the down spouts to see if they are clear. Take notice of the condition of the gutters and conductor pipes to determine if they should be replaced or just need a fresh coat of paint.

Skylights should also be examined for signs of leakage. The frame may need painting and the putty around the glass may need to be replaced. You should also check to make sure the flashing around the base of the frame is in good condition. Leaks from openings such as these can ruin carpets, bathroom fixtures, bathroom vanities, shower doors, and even flooring and tiling.

In looking over the chimney top, see whether all the bricks are in place and whether pointing is needed. If a cap is used, it should be securely cemented to the chimney. If there is no special chimney cap, see that mortar is spread over the top of the brickwork and sloped down from the flue opening to the outside edge of the chimney.