Based on a true story

When you hire contractors make sure they are licensed, otherwise it might cost you.

YG Home Inspection Services were called to investigate roof leakage. Many were there before (include roofer companies) but no one were able to determine the source of infiltration.

So… Old triplex with flat (tar and gravel) roof, top floor unit.

According to the owner the roof was replaced 4 years ago and soon after the replacement the infiltration begin.

One wall is getting wet and paint started to bubble every winter (No issue during warm months!). And every spring the owner have to do renovation to repair damaged area, year after year…

We started from interior. The IR survey shows the problem and moisture meter confirmed it. The infiltration accured around chimney area.

Next, we climbed the roof. That is what we found.

Next one was the basement (utility room) to take a look.

Conclusion:

After roof was replaced and small leakage occurred for the first time, the owner called handyman and the guy apply caulking on the chimney flashing, that probably was an original source of infiltration and… covers chimney with the metal cap that has tiny opening!  Just to mention, that chimney serve oil furnace and two oil fired water heaters (which is already questionable!). 

So, because of the metal cap was preventing normal flow of the exhaust gases, lots of moisture was accumulating at the top part of the chimney and in just few years top of the chimney, from the roof top down to the floor of the top floor unit, significantly deteriorated.

Thus, fixing one relatively small issue, the handyman was creating another huge issue.

One small mistake of the one incompetent guy cause giant damage to the property. 

Know who are you hiring – Hire the right person!!!