Roof leakage on Willow Street in New Haven

This is the AA-MSA, Inc., inspection blog (www.aa-msa.com). AA-MSA inspectors write about the actual conditions that they experience during property inspections and environmental testing.

This call was about a 2nd floor bathroom ceiling that began to leak water during a recent rain storm. The area above this 2nd floor bathroom is the intersection where two roofs meet. Areas where roofs intersect with other roofs, with walls and roof penetrations are common areas where leaks often begin. A two-person team was sent to conduct a water test. The ceiling area inside the bathroom where water had caused damage, was opened to expose the framing. With moisture meter in hand the inspector located the area where the meter glowed red registering 100% moisture! Next one of the inspectors went onto the roof carrying a water hose and proceeding to "rain" initially on the lowest level of roofing and then upwards. As soon as the outside inspector applied water to the area where the two roof surfaces intersected, the inside inspector alerted him to water intrusion. Together these two inspectors determined the cause of the leak to be deterioration of the roof sheathing beneath the roof covering that resulted in accelerated wear of the roof covering itself, hence leakage. This was one of the easier leaks to trouble-shoot. Often times leaks occur in areas that are far from the water damage that first alerts the occupants to the trouble.

If you have a water leak that needs repair, call the leakage experts at AA-MSA, Inc., before you call the repairman. AA-MSA's licensed inspectors are experts are defect recognition and diagnosis. 24 hour service is available throughout Connecticut. 1-800-888-8107 ext 301 or 303 if an emergency or after business hours.

Poor Attic Ventilation at Vernon, Connecticut Home

Welcome to AA-MSA's blog about the residential and commercial inspection and environmental assessment work that it's professional staff does. This blog reports actual findings about real conditions that AA-MSA inspectors find every day.

Lets talk about poor attic ventilation. According to industry experts (Ask the Expert Seminars 800-air-vent) or (http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/ventilation.htm),
for an attic ventilation system to perform properly, it needs a balance of both intake typically at the lowest point in the attic such as the exterior soffits and exhaust such as a ridge vent. At least 1/2, if not more of the total required net free area needed for proper ventilation should be in the intake area (soffits if possible).

For additional information about improving attic ventilation, call an expert at AA_MSA, Inc., 1-800-888-8107 ext 301 or 303. To see what people say about AA-MSA's inspectors, click this link: www.aa-msa.com/testimonials/html