The inspection includes inspection of the roof exterior for the following items:

• Missing or damaged rainwater goods incl. flashings, gutters & down-pipes
• Lack of or poor general storm-water drainage
• Faulty, decayed or lack of parapet/chimney flashings
• Cracked or decayed roof cladding
• Inadequate pitch / lap of roof cladding / no sarking
• Faulty / decayed vent / flue flashings
• Decayed ridge cappings, gutters & down-pipes
• Use of in appropriate materials or incorrect combinations of metal materials

The roof will be traversed if it is safe to do so this depends on the hight, pitch, type and weather conditions. where the inspector does not get on the roof he will inpect as much as possible from the ground and interior of the roof void if accessible.

Roofs may fail to be waterproof for several reasons:

• Poor design and installation of roof cladding
• Lack of regular maintenance e.g. failure to clean out gutters, to unblock downpipes or repair broken tiles
• Failure of materials or inappropriate use of dissimilar metals. All materials have a limited life span and decay at varying rates evident in fatigue cracks in lead flashings and corrosion under laps of old corrugated iron roofing

Specific sources of moisture from faulty roof plumbing and flashings:

Valley gutters, parapets gutters and eaves gutters due to:

• Rusting and corrosion at joints
• Inadequate freeboard under roof coverings
• Failure of flashings
• Ponding and inadequate gradient
• Blockages
• Lack of adequate downpipes and sumps

Parapet and chimney flashings due to:

• Water penetration through the top of parapets or chimneys
• Failure of chimney tray flashings and damp proof courses
• Failure of edge and counter flashings

Downpipes and sumps due to:

• Blockages
• Unnecessary bends
• Inadequate fall
• Poor fixing and design
• Inadequate dimensions

Opening flashings: Where flashings or weep holes are missing under sills or around openings, moisture may penetrate if in an exposed position. Timber sills begin to decay and the mortar around the window and door frames works loose, allowing water to enter the sides.