Unusual Mark on Shingles

[Jim Katen]

Here's a rare one. At least it's the first time I've run across it. What caused the whitish streak on this roof?

1942 house.

Roof pitch 12:12

18-year-old three tab comp shingles

- Jim Katen, Oregon

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[Robert Jones]

Does it jut down from that roof vent? My first thought was someone applied a moss treatment/powder. First time seeing that for me.

[Nolan Kienitz]

Maybe a chalk mark from the insurance roof inspectors hip pocket (where he kept his chalk supply) as he was sliding down. [?]

Honestly, Jim, I don't know but had to add my usual limited levity.

[Jim Katen]

Maybe a chalk mark from the insurance roof inspectors hip pocket (where he kept his chalk supply) as he was sliding down. [?]

Honestly, Jim, I don't know but had to add my usual limited levity.

Not bad. But it wasn't the insurace guy, it was me. And it wasn't chalk.

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[Jerry Simon]

Looks like a fungus or some sort of growth. Looks like more white streaky spots are left of the well-defined one. And, you can see other biological growth either side of the chimney, but not below it, as I believe the ions in the metal chimney flashing wash down and kill the growth, or some such heeby-jeeby.

[Jim Katen]

Looks like a fungus or some sort of growth. Looks like more white streaky spots are left of the well-defined one. . .

Yes. One of the lighter streaks is from the skin on my forearm and the other is from my left foot.

[Robert Jones]

THAT is dedication!!!

[Terence McCann]

Looks like a fungus or some sort of growth. Looks like more white streaky spots are left of the well-defined one. . .

Yes. One of the lighter streaks is from the skin on my forearm and the other is from my left foot.

Holy shite! If it were me there would be brown streaks as well.

Tell the truth, a bit nerve racking???

911, what is your emergency?

[Tim Maxwell]

I'm glad all you got was a hole in the pants.

[hausdok]

Red shingles near the end of their service life.

Yeah, that was a sphincter tightener, I bet. Those damned red shingles seem to turn into little ski slopes as they get older.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[John Kogel]

Yes. One of the lighter streaks is from the skin on my forearm and the other is from my left foot.

Holy shite! If it were me there would be brown streaks as well.

Brown streaks, indeed!

Jim, did you really need to see down that chimney? Or was it the other side of the roof you were after?

[kurt]

I get it.....a trick question......

[AHI in AR]

Ummmm, Jim...

So what stopped your descent? Gutter? Homeowner stupidly standing below the soffitt? Grappling hook hurled at the last minute?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Nolan Kienitz]

Jim K:

Now if you had been able to hook onto this ????

I'm seeing more of these on new home construction down here, but have yet to see anyone use them.

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[Richard Saunders]

"18-year-old three tab comp shingles"

Everything you needed for your report was right there.

[hausdok]

"18-year-old three tab comp shingles"

Everything you needed for your report was right there.

Not really, one can't inspect the condition of the crown and what can be seen of the flue from the ground. You also can't check the flashing interlacing or tightness of the mortar around the flashings from the ground.

There's plenty of reason to go up there, and an inspector who is experienced at how to properly climb a roof and knows his limits can easily get up there to do it; but red shingles for some reason are particularly treacherous and one needs to be extra careful when climbing a roof that's covered with them.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Bill Kibbel]

I've frequently done what Jim has illustrated in his picture but, there would be an addition, with a low slope roof just below the 12/12 gable roof, to stop my rapid descent. I don't do that crap, with only my ladder strapped to the gutter to stop me, anymore.

[Jim Katen]

There's plenty of reason to go up there, and an inspector who is experienced at how to properly climb a roof and knows his limits can easily get up there to do it; but red shingles for some reason are particularly treacherous and one needs to be extra careful when climbing a roof that's covered with them.

Now you tell me?

Yes, the little suckers must have teflon or something similar in the granules. Sadly, I was unaware of that particular feature of red shingles; we don't have many of them in Oregon and this house was in Vancouver. It's Washington's revenge against inspectors who have the temerity to cross the river.

I've slipped a little on comp shingles before, but this was crazy, once I started slipping, I just accelerated. I was in no danger, because there was a low-pitched porch roof just below me (just as Bill described). I would never have climbed a 12:12 roof unless there was a break fall at the bottom somewhere.

No, there was really no good reason for me to climb this one. It was pure laziness. If I didn't climb it, I would have had to move my ladder to at least 3 or 4 other locations to see what I needed to see. That would have told me everything I needed to know. Climbing was just easier.

Oh, and there were no brown streaks and no screaming like a little girl either. I like to think of the sound I made as more like a manly roar.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[John Kogel]

Good one, Jim. Sorry about the pants. You could make them into shorts, and show off you battle scars. []

I've frequently done what Jim has illustrated in his picture but, there would be an addition, with a low slope roof just below the 12/12 gable roof, to stop my rapid descent. I don't do that crap, with only my ladder strapped to the gutter to stop me, anymore.

You probably figured out an inspection fee doesn't cover taking that kind of risk. Yes, the client might appreciate the bonus info re: whatever you need to see up there, but that doesn't compensate anybody for getting hurt, possibly terminating his career.

I have rope to toss over the roof if necessary, and I've used it once, to get back down from the chimney. Wasn't worth the risk and hassle.

One time, I figured I could scramble up from the dormer and grab the roof vent on a 12:12. I caught the edge of the vent and found out a gang of wasps were building a nest in there. It was decision time! I chose to hang on and made a cautious exit. Lucky. []

[Tom Raymond]

... but red shingles for some reason are particularly treacherous and one needs to be extra careful when climbing a roof that's covered with them.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

Just like red cars, they go faster[:-monkeyd

Tom

[randynavarro]

Excellent forum. . .simply excellent.

Red shingles---bad.

They're not gonna teach you that at HI school.

So the white streak is. . . denim particulate?

[Jim Katen]

Excellent forum. . .simply excellent.

Red shingles---bad.

They're not gonna teach you that at HI school.

So the white streak is. . . denim particulate?

100% cotton.

Well, plus a little callused skin.

[Bain]

I read an interview with Stephen King once, and he explained how horror is much more sympathetic than comedy. When the chick's inside the house, and the bad dude is lurking somewhere outside, ready to pounce, one worries for her . . . fears for her. But one certainly doesn't laugh and think, "Oh, boy. This gal's about to suffer all kinds of nasty before she reaches room temperature. That's hilarious."

But the notion of someone slipping on a banana peel and perhaps cracking their head open? Or Moe jabbing his fingers into Curly's eye sockets? We laugh at that stuff.

I'm not really sure why . . .

Having said that, though, sorry for the rough trip, Jim. I'm sure there must have been a point where you were thinking, "Sh*t, I hope the ambulance gets here in a hurry."

Sorry it happened . . .