Answer: | FALSE- Both the FAR and FAR/BAR agreements define "cracked roofing tiles" and "curling or worn shingles" as cosmetic items. The FAR/BAR further outlines a standard that states "limited roof life shall not be considered defects Seller must repair, or replace so long as there is no evidence of actual leaks or leakage or structural damage, but missing tiles will be the Seller's responsibility to replace or repair." So, what is warranted? Roof conditions that are not in "working order", including missing, displaced or damaged tiles or shingles that allow moisture intrusion. The rule of thumb that I use, is if the underlayment (the felt paper under the tile or shingle), or the roof sheathing (the wood surface below the underlayment) is visible, the roof covering is no longer "operating in the manner in which the item was designed to operate." As a professional member of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) I am required to inspect, describe and report on the condition of the roof covering. Water is very destructive, and leaks can be very elusive to pinpoint unless it is raining at the time of inspection, so if there is evidence of a leak, I recommend the client have a leak test performed by a professional roofer and repaired as appropriate to restore the integrity of the component - very seldom does that mean an entire roof needs replaced. |
