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  1. #1
    Jim B. Robinson's Avatar
    Jim B. Robinson Guest

    Question Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Hi all,
    As I'm currently a student of home inspection, forgive my ignorance if this is an obvious query. I took this pic while researching local roofing defects.

    The photo shows a south facing gable roof with a wear pattern on one side only, between the rake and dormer. There is an antennae set against the gable end from the ground to about 15' above the roof. My conclusion is that water has been dripping off the antennae for many years, prematurely aging the asphalt shingles directly below.

    Is my conclusion correct? Is there more to it?

    Thanks for comments,
    Jim

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim B. Robinson View Post
    Hi all,
    As I'm currently a student of home inspection, forgive my ignorance if this is an obvious query. I took this pic while researching local roofing defects.

    The photo shows a south facing gable roof with a wear pattern on one side only, between the rake and dormer. There is an antennae set against the gable end from the ground to about 15' above the roof. My conclusion is that water has been dripping off the antennae for many years, prematurely aging the asphalt shingles directly below.

    Is my conclusion correct? Is there more to it?

    Thanks for comments,
    Jim
    Jim,

    In my opinion, not obvious. I have never seen wear like that.

    I am afraid that I do not have a good answer for you, but your guess seems reasonable. One qualifying remark though, as an HI, we do not need to diagnose the cause, just note the condition and refer to a roofing contractor.

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  3. #3
    Michael Larson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Strange, but how about ice and snow falling off the very high antennae?


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Jim,

    My Guesses (* see Gunner's Post for the correct answer )

    1. That Section of roof exhibiting wear was not replaced during the previous re roofing.

    2. What I suspect is the TV Antenna does not have ( or is broken ) a motorized directional feature.

    Over the years after each strong wind has misaligned the TV Antenna, someone has scaled that side of the roof ( accessed from the ground by ladder )with an adjustment tool ( long pole ) and whacked it back into alignment ( utilizing The Is It There Yet Martha ) method.
    .

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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    That was my guess too. even though the antennae has rungs on it. Mabey the guy had big feet.
    Go back to the house and look at the gtter below the area for ladder marks. There should be alot of them if the cause is walking on the roof.
    If you hear a click cock, RUN!


  6. #6
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Quite possibly a case of the dreaded NRB.

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  7. #7
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    I'm thinking no ventilation on that one or two rafter bays.

    Or maybe a contained fire below in that confined area.

    Looks like heat, so my first guess would be the no ventilation cause.

    Of course, without being there, all we can do it "guess".

    Jerry Peck
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Jim,

    Being originally from Ontario myself (Kitchener-Waterloo), I immediately looked to see if the driveway was on that side of the house, thinking hockey puck damage.....but no. Maybe a few bad bundles of shingles off a partial pallet? Any idea how old the roof is?

    Please send me down some Sleeman's Dark!!!!


  9. #9
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    I'm thinking no ventilation on that one or two rafter bays.

    Or maybe a contained fire below in that confined area.

    Looks like heat, so my first guess would be the no ventilation cause.

    Of course, without being there, all we can do it "guess".

    That was my thought but I see 2 dormers on the front and I believe I see a shed dormer on the rear. I seriously doubt that that roof has any ventilation.


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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Quote Originally Posted by Ted Menelly View Post
    That was my thought but I see 2 dormers on the front and I believe I see a shed dormer on the rear. I seriously doubt that that roof has any ventilation.
    Yeah, I saw all that stuff, but I still think that is the problem. Either that or the other thing I mentioned ...
    Or maybe a contained fire below in that confined area.

    Looks like heat, so my first guess would be the no ventilation cause.


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  11. #11
    Jim B. Robinson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Thanks for your insight!

    I am aware of the SOP (ASHI), but my curious nature must be quenched. That and I think it's important to know causes, whether we report it or not.

    As far as the other ideas mentioned, they all seem valid, though I lean towards the falling ice & snow off the antennae (actually thought of that after I posted), bad batch of shingles or ventilation issue. No idea on age of roof as I only got as close as the side of the road.

    As I walked the neighbourhood (very tiny dot on the map really) this morning I noticed yet another roof with the same circumstance though not quite as damaged, but this was a west facing slope and a much smaller area. Seems like an strange place for a standard roof vent also.

    Cheers Brent!

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  12. #12
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    A bunch of ham operators in that area by the looks of those towers.


  13. #13
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Does everyone in your neighborhood have those godawful antennas?

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  14. #14
    Jim B. Robinson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist View Post
    Does everyone in your neighborhood have those godawful antennas?
    Hey Gunnar,
    It does appear that way, doesn't it? And in fact we used to have one, but ripped it down a year after we moved in.

    The initial pic though is near London, about a 15min drive from my place.

    Jim


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    Default Re: Odd Wear Section on Asphalt Roof

    My 2 centavos: Incontinent birds perching on the antenna?

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

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