On a recent inspection my buyer asked me what this pipe sticking out of the side of the garage was. Based on the washed away area (impact mark) on the ground under the pipe, I said that it was likely a drain for the flat roof. Because the roof had sagged a bit, and was holding water, a drain had been installed in the low spot to aid in draining the roof. One of the interesting things about ponding water on a flat roof is that water is heavy. The weight of the water causes the roof the sag, which over time stays sagged, which means the roof can hold even more water, leading to even more ponding/sagging-----and on and on. Now the roof might not “break,” but it does affect the resilience of the roofing materials and eventually the roof will start to leak. The other day I did a post about a flooded flat roof ----or one with a lot of standing water anyway. I waded out into the middle of one of the puddles to unblock the drain. The drain location is right where the arrow is pointing. The result? When you gotta go----you gotta go! Is this what they mean when the listing says, “Water feature?” Charles Buell
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Funny post and informative at the same time.
Don't you just hate when you see something like that and then, well, you've just got to go.
So, in addition to the weight of all that water, you waded out and added the additional weight of a lanky Seattle home inspector? .... (excuse me, I've gotta go to the bathroom now).
That's too funny, Charles. And informative too. Ditto what Catherine said : ) -- Tanya in Montreal
Catherine, thanks----and thanks for stopping by
Glenn, like I said---when you gotta go----you gotta go
Alan-----almost fell on my ass too----really really really slippery :)
Tanya----ditto what I told Catherine :)
Water feature? I know a reator who advertised a property as waterview because accross the street there was a gated adult community with a retention basin. Go figure!
Water feature, indeed! "Let the sound of the trickling waterfall lull you to sleep at night...."
Debi
Katherine that is pretty funny :)
Debi, more likely make everyone in the house feel like they "gotta go"
Hi Charles, I say, plant a birdbath underneath and you have a functional bird bath (or shower) and a nice waterfall feature. enjoy your weekend, jay
Flat roofs and Western Washington State, bad idea, now that's ActiveRain...
Make this a special day for someone, Charles...
Paul
Charles. you and some of the other inspectors have some great posts and I agree some are funny and sad...but informative for sure!!
Jay, it would work for that---you have a nice weekend too
Paul, it seems that sooner or later, they are a bad idea everywhere :)
Rebecca, thanks---glad you enjoy
There you go Charles inspecting and making repairs again ;)
Troy---dang I have to stop DOING that :)
A bit vulgar if you ask me, Charles :)
Nice talk yesterday.
Rich
we certainly can't have you falling on your kazazz
Rich it actually is when you think about it :) Lets chat again sometime.
Alan---yes---embarrassing way to fall through a roof----if there is an "un-embarrassing" way :)
By the way do you two know each other? Alan meet Rich, Rich meet Alan---you are in the same kneighborhood.
Why do folks build a flat roof? is it cheaper? I've never quite understood it. Gotta get myself a "water feature" though.
Tammy yes---cheaper in the short run (and isn't that all that matters?) :)
Ho Charles, One man's water feature is another man's potential hazard to be repaired. I am not sure about your area but the most significant areas of concern in housing today are water related. Seems that from plumbing issues to poor grading, these water issues seem re-occur on a regular basis. In our area of the state, the amount of re-piping, pipe re-lining, drainage or lack there of affects or has affected so many properties. The bigger questions is why over the past years has there been such an increase in these issues. The problems also seem to spring up earlier ( in newer construction) than in previous decades.
William, I think infrastrutures of all sorts are in poor condition all over the country. Everything has a life----some things come due quicker than others.
Charles - Yep, in today's world, that would likely qualify as a "water feature" - at least in some parts of the country:-) Water is definitely not a house's friend!
"Water feature" -- that's a good one. You should write listings, you'd be great!!
Charles, I would make a longer comment but maybe I should go...............
Thanks for the help earlier!
Myrl, it is as important to control water as it is electricity in the home :)
Carla, I will leave that to the experts
Dennis you are welcome---any time----now you can go.
Mr Charles,
I do not know if you know it or not, but those internal drainy thingees like that, in the center of the roof, often lead to leaks below and that makes people very mad. I hope you knows that.
Nutsy
Hi Charles,
You are to funny!! LOL! Have a great weekend!
Dawn
Peter and Dawn, glad you enjoyed it
Now waders are something I do not keep with me in my tool kit!
Mr Charles,
Whatever you did with my photo, I do not get it.
Nutsy
Jay, I know----but you have a boat
Nutsy, I want you to stay right where you are until you "get it"
And then you sent them a bill for the repair, right?
Reuben, no, but everyone sure got a kick of seeing that stream of water :)