How do you inspect the exterior in the rain? I have been rescheduling, but it has cost me an inspection. I don't think I can do a satisfactory job if I am distracted by the weather.

What do you do?

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Brian Cooper, Located in the Columbia, South Carolina area.

www.CooperHomeInspection.com

Wear a poncho and bring an extra pair of shoes so as not to muddy up the interior.

Thats the best time to inspect is when its raining in my opinion.

I carry a big arse umbrella and get after it. Carry some shoe covers and a TYVEK suit if necessary.

Charge a bit more for the condition. I've never had a client complain. They have been happy to find out that there was several water penetrations found that may not have been observed on a sunny day.

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Rick Hurst_Home Works Inspection Co_Rockwall TX
In the words of Mike Tyson.... "Everyone has a plan until they get hit inda mouf"

I put on a raincoat and do me best, more than which no man can do.

This may seem obvious, but I put off the exterior as long as possible, hoping the rain will let up. If it doesn't, I do what I can. I rarely have to go back, but I did have a tricky roof a couple of weeks ago not far from my house, so I went back the next day. I had to haul my 28 foot extension ladder up on a lower roof to get up to the main flat roof.

Well heck, ya ain't going to melt!

Put on a pair of boots, wear a good rain coat and use an umbrella. Yes, you might get wet and muddy but this is why you dress for the weather.

As Rick said it is the best time to inspect a house. You do need to be careful with the roof, besides not getting on it when it is wet the surface of a worn roof can look OK when it is wet. I have seen many wet roofs that were toast but they looked visually OK at first glance.

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

The show must go on.... If it's raining really hard I'll alter my routine a bit and wait for a break but I'd never not do a job.

It's nice to be able to watch the function of gutters and drainage but the water does change the look of some things.

I find it's much harder to tell the overall condition of comp and wood shake roof when they're wet. The water has a way of just making everything look uniform and sometimes when they dry it can be surprising how different they look.

I have had clients and realtors ask if I need to re-schedule. I always tell them there is no better time to inspect than in the rain.
Water being one of if not the most damaging effects on a structure, if its raining your gonna see for example, first hand if the stain of the cieling is active or previous.

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Consistency is a direct path to perfection.

Only thing it changes for me is the roofs. We have a lot of thunder storms in my area, so I am not crazy abut putting an aluminum ladder up against the house and climbing up on the roof. Plus, with steep slopes, I may take the express route down.

As far as the rest, put on the parka and boots and carry a bumbershoot - and get wet.
JF

I will avoid re-scheduling at all cost since it just messes up the week.

Like the others have said, go prepared, expect to get wet, and don't do anything that you feel puts you at personal risk. I only canceled because of rain once and it was monsoon-like conditions. Aside from that, I can always use an extra shower .

Well, I must admit that I did cancel about two days of inspections due to the weather. A little storm called Katrina made it kind of difficult to inspect homes when I lived in Mississippi!

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

C'mon Scott..tie a rope arround your waist and go for it, whats a little hurricane anyway????????????????????

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The apostrophe troll.

Bring on the rain!

An inspectors dream:

The roofing shingles at work, watching how the water reacts on the roof, and how it runs off, where it runs off, and the impact of that water on the surrounding siding, trim, foundation, grading.

Checking the actual properties and ability of the grading to divert water.

The gutters and downspouts, storm drains and how they are funneling water, and where to.

Windows and doors will seep water if not installed properly.

Siding will have water running behind it if not installed properly.

Under deck areas will bleed water from improperly installed flashings and cascade down under the ledger board, leaving telltale rivulets of water.

The attic taking a pounding from wind swept rain is the absolute test for roofing, underlayments, flashings, vent boots, etc.

The basement gives up it's secrets at bulkheads, settling cracks, concrete form divets, cold pour areas, floor cracks, deck attachment areas at sills.

Sump pumps react and discharge water and how and where to?

OHHHH..... me loves the rain.

Not to mention it makes your job of inspection, reasoning and deduction much easier, lowers your liability, and the chances for a water problem call back later on. I hate sunny days for that reason.


Singin in the rain... just singin in the rain.......

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Keep L@@kin

Mr. Joe stated it pretty well...

My take on the roof, the attic and the weather concern:

(to comprehend my thoughts on this you must think in Italian)
The roof/attic-- she's-a my favorite gurl: when shez-a dry, she cann-a look-a right at chu inn-a da eyes and tell-a you lies...

But Oooha-boy, when she-a get-wet... she-a no tella you a lie!!

So me, I lika my favorite gurl wet... when wet, I get to luuk'er over beddy-beddy good and see wherea-da leaks are-a cummin from....



Don't forget your rubbers and other protection as needed...
RR

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"If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?"
Richard Rushing, HCRI
Duncanville, Tx.

Jack,

Maybe you should put one of these in the truck?

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Cheers - Nolan E. Kienitz, HCRI, PMP
Dallas Home Inspector
www.NolansInspections.com

I carry 2 large golf umbrellas in my truck. It allows me to escort the client around the home to show them what I have found. I will get on the roof unless there is high winds and/or lightening as long as it is 6/12 or less. Any more than that and you risk slipping on the wet surface and exiting the roof sooner than planned on.

As others have said, I put it off as long as possible and hope for a break, but it does offer the best opportunity to check drainage and weather resistance.

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Integrity Inspection Service, LLC
www.irsindy.com
(317) 345-1828

Nolan,

Nah, Jack needs one of these.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )