Snow covered homes can be inspected with some restrictions.
October 27, 2008
Home inspections in South Lake Tahoe in the winter are common but there are several restrictions. A visual home inspection is just that visual, meaning if the inspector can’t see it they can’t inspect it. The roof covering, roof accessories, driveways, walkways, decks, and the landscape are often visually restricted by snow. In some winters foundations and the entire shade side of a structure can often be buried and unable to be thoroughly inspected. Driveways, walkways, decks can be cleared but roofs cannot. Experienced home inspectors can still determine if any roof problems exist by other means. Roof leaks can show up in the attic, and under eaves. By looking in the attic for moisture or staining on the roof sheathing you can detect roof problems. Freeze back damage is also visible in the attic and under the exterior eaves. Staining around roof penetrations and wet insulation is a good indication that the flashing has deteriorated or up-lifted and is in need of further inspection. Making an accurate determination of the condition of the roof covering is usually not possible and the experienced home inspector will not give such an opinion but will simply state that the “roof is covered with snow-unable to inspect thoroughly” and recommend a further inspection when the snow has melted. If you can’t see it you can’t inspect it!
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