Stefan McGuire

It looks like when the siding was replaced they shot some siding nails through the backside of the panel. It seems like if the nails would've hit anything energized there would be an obvious problem... Any suggestions on how you would react to this or what you might say to the buyer(s)??? Click to Enlarge 50.16 KB Click to Enlarge 28.26 KB

There is some good general information on the EPA's website. I have found that usually a root cause is excessive humidity from within the inside of the structure. http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf

That one's clearly screwed up and likely to cause trouble. I'd recommend replacing it too. Then I apologize if I mischaracterized your report. If the sellers agreed to do it, then they should honor their agreement. Fair enough. There are times - like the example in the picture that you posted - where it can be a real issue. In my opinion, though, it's just not a real issue in most cases. Thanks Brandon. Thanks for your response Jim, I completely agree, there are multiple factors that will inevitably decide if this ever becomes an issue down the road. As you know, exposure/ roof protection/ maintenance all will decide on whether on not this issue eventually becomes water damage. There were at least a 1/2 dozen different places on the outside of the home that had similar (maybe not as extreme) curling and lifting like the picture shown. My concern is that moisture streaming down the wall on a rainy day, is then going to intersect with the reversed metal and leak horizontally. No end-damming (or seams on the belly-bands) to me seems likely that some of this moisture will then have a path behind the siding and potentially cause water damage. Now you mentioned that you would agree the example I gave needs replaced- if you see 6 or so places like this, will you only specifically mention those exact locations need repairs or replaced? Or do what I did, and recommend a specialized contractor provide a further overall evaluation to determine the need for repairs/ replacement? As far as the marble goes, it doesn't have alot of practical application in most situations. But for me, when these horizontal flashings (that were put there to direct water away from the wall- shingling principle right) are curled and lifted (not the way they were installed), I want my clients to know that it is performing opposite of what it was put there in the first place for (isn't that what happened with LP). The ball bearing makes explaining the situation to my clients much easier. Don't use it, if you don't like it. It makes showing the issue in a photo much easier.

Yeah, that's right to a point; but saying they need to be replaced? He's pushing the credibility envelope there. Someday he's going to get called out by a builder, end up in court and then a siding manufacturer's tech rep is going to be called in by the other side as a witness and the tech rep will say something like, "Yeah, we liked those pics so we borrowed them from so-and-so. Sure, sloped flashings work better, but the truth is we don' t have any data anywhere to prove that flat flashings aren't working. We'll still honor the warranty on that product." Then he'll walk out with so much egg on his face he'll looks like a Denver Omellete with it's head stuck up it's ass. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Jim, lets see the excerpt from the report where it says to replace the flashing. The flashing was lifted up to a 1/4" the wrong direction at places. Download Attachment: AlVT020413 060.jpg 194.7 KB At no place did the report say to replace this- It said consult a siding contractor for a further evaluation to determine their opinion for repairs or replacement. The buyer requested the seller to fix all lifted and negatively sloped flashing- I just gave them the information, they made the judgement call to request it be replaced. If the seller didn't want to fix it, they should not have agreed to fix it in the repair addendum. If you feel this is not a problem or issue, keep neglecting to put it in your reports. I'll continue to put it in mine.