The following underlined text are links that are live in my Scribeware template.

MISCELLANEOUS REFERENCE LIBRARY

UPCodes: this link will take you to a page where you can choose and use for free any of a variety of building codes. It lists the codes adopted by each state, including: NFPA, ANSI, IAPMO, ASHRAE, ASME, ACI, FGI, OSHA, and all ICC.

General Reference: this comprehensive page provides links to information on the following subjects:

  • Building Science
  • Business (Home Inspection, online business management, website development)
  • Concrete
  • Document Templates
  • Electrical
  • Exterior
  • Flooring, Hardwood
  • HVAC
  • Marketing
  • Standards Organizations
  • Plumbing
  • Reporting
  • Roof
  • Structure
  • Soil Movement

…and much more

ROOF REFERENCE

FM Global

  • FM Global is an American mutual insurance company with offices worldwide. One of their main areas of focus is researching and developing products or techniques that help mitigate property risks:
  • Inspection of Roof Assemblies
  • Roof Systems
  • Hail Damage
  • Roof Loads and Drainage
  • Perimeter Flashing
  • Roof Anchorage
  • 1-15 Roof mounted PV panels1-30
  • Cooling Towers
  • Existing PVC Roof Covers
  • Field Verification of Roof Wind Uplift Resistance
  • Repair of Single- and Multi-ply Roof Systems
  • Repair of Wind Damaged Single and Multi-ply Systems
  • Ceilings and Concealed Spaces
  • Green Roof Systems
  • Panel Roof Systems
  • Safeguarding Torch-applied Roof Installations
  • Roof-mounted PV Panels

GENERAL ROOF RESOURCES

Books and Articles

  • National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Anthology (available as digital)
  • Manual of Low-slope Roofing, 2006, 570 pp, CW Griffin & RL Fricklas: Slightly older but still very relevant.
  • Roofing Failures, 2003, 250 pp, Carl G Cash: Covers some basics and then offers 40 case studies. Very helpful.
  • Haag Engineering Commercial and Residential Roof Inspection courses and workbooks.
  • The Slate Roof Bible, 2016, 360 pp, Joseph Jenkins: One of two top books on everything about slate roofs
  • Slate Roof Design and Installation Manual, 2010, 260 pp, National Slate Association: The other top book on slate. Smaller index.
  • Rooftop Detail guide (TPO & EPDM), 2017, 200 pp, Versico Roofing Systems: Excellent spiral bound with great diagrams/labeling. FREE
  • Forensic Engineering, 2013, 770 pp, Peter E. Petty: Massive, very detailed book! Heavy on roof-related information but covers much more.
  • Facility Inspection Field Manual, 2001, 400 p.p, Bernard T. Lewis: Like a giant checklist for commercial properties and facilities.
  • Historic and Obsolete Roofing Tile, 2001, 230 pp, Vincent H. Hobson: Intro to historic tile basics and most is photos for identification of historic tile.

Web Links

  • Simpson Strong Tie: Wood Construction Connectors catalogue
  • Other Simpson Strong Tie catalogues
  • Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau
  • Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers Association Technical Bulletins
  • National Slate Association
  • Tile Roofing Industry Alliance
  • GAF Document Library
  • CertainTeed Learning Center
  • Mastering Roof Inspections is a 145-part detailed series on roof inspections.
  • Telescoping Ladder Maintenance

INSPECTING THE ROOF STRUCTURE EXTERIOR

  • Inspecting the roof Structure Exterior
  • Stains Below Roof Vents

ASPHALT SHINGLE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Asphalt Shingle Inspection Concerns
  • 2021 IRC R905.2 Asphalt Shingles
  • Mastering Roof Inspections (Asphalt Shingles (#55-#109)
  • Inspecting Shingle Bonding
  • Craze-cracking
  • Identifying Wind Damage
  • Batch Problems
  • Blisters VS Hail Damage
  • Biological Growth
  • Uniform Granule Loss
  • White/Brown Stains below Roof Vents
  • The History of Asphalt Shingles (CASMA)
  • Racking of Shingles 
  • Buckling of Shingles 
  • 66 GAF Technical Bulletins
  • FM Global: Roof Inspection Resources
  • Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer’s Association
  • Telescoping Ladder Maintenance
  • InterNACHI Asphalt Shingle Inspection online video course  (3.25 hrs, InterNACHI members only)
  • Asphalt Shingle Inspection Field Guide, $18.99, by Kenton Shepard

CLAY TILE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • 2021 IRC R905.3.4 Clay and Concrete Tile
  • TRI Installation guides
  • Walking Clay Tile Roofs
  • How Clay Tile Ages and Fails
  • Clay Tile Fastening
  • Clay Tile Flashing
  • Biological Growth
  • Historic Tile
  • Tile Installation Guides (FREE downloads from the Tile Roofing Institute)
  • Technical Briefs (FREE downloads from the Tile Roofing Institute)
  • Mastering Roof Inspections  (Tile Roofs, #140-#145)
  • Walking Tile Roofs (1-minute video w/me)
  • InterNACHI Tile Roof Inspection (Online Video Course (47 minutes, members only)
  • Tile Roof Inspection Field Guide PDF $18.99, by Kenton Shepard

CONCRETE TILE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • UP Codes: free access
  • Concrete Tile Inspection Concerns
  • Minimum Slope and Headlap
  • General Fastening Schedules
  • Walking Concrete Tile
  • Tile Industry Standards
  • Aging Characteristics of Concrete Tile
  • Historic Tile
  • Tile Installation Guides (FREE downloads from the Tile Roofing Institute)
  • Technical Briefs (FREE downloads from the Tile Roofing Institute)
  • Mastering Roof Inspections (Tile Roofs, #140-#145)
  • Walking Tile Roofs (1-minute video w/me)
  • InterNACHI Tile Roof Inspection Online Video Course  (47 minutes, members only).
  • Tile Roof Inspection Field Guide PDF $18.99, by Kenton Shepard

METAL ROOF REFERENCE

  • Metal roof inspection concerns
  • 2021 IRC R905.4 Metal Roof Shingles

WOOD SHAKE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Wood Shake Inspection Concerns
  • Wood Shake & Shingle Inspection Field Guide PDF; $18 by Kenton Shepard
  • Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau

WOOD SHINGLE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Wood Shingle Inspection Concerns
  • Wood Shake & Shingle Inspection Field Guide PDF $18.99 by Kenton Shepard
  • Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau

STONE SLATE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Stone Slate Inspection Concerns
  • National Slate Association
  • Slate Inspection Field Guide $18.99 by Kenton Shepard

ROLL ROOFING REFERENCE

  • Roll roofing Inspection concerns

BUILT-UP ROOF REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • 2021 IBC 1507.10 Built-up Roofs
  • Built-up roof inspection concerns

THERMOSET SINGLE-PLY ROOFING REFERENCE

  • 2021 IBC 1507.12 Thermoset Single-ply Roofing
  • EPDM Inspection Concerns

FIBER CEMENT ROOFING REFERENCE

  • Inspecting Fiber-cement Roofing

GARAGE

GARAGE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Garage Inspection Concerns
  • DASMA Technical sheet #167 for home inspectors

ATTIC

ATTIC REFERENCE LINKS

  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Attic Thermal Envelope
  • Attic Thermal Envelope
  • Attic Utility Checklist
  • Post-fire Assessment of Framing

CONVENTIONAL ROOF FRAMING REFERENCE LIBRARY

Link to a page with images and information on inspecting conventional roof framing from the attic, including common terms (may vary regionally)/ framing, connectors, and fastening deficiencies/ explanations covering purlin systems, overframes, structural and non-structural ridges, collar ties VS rafter ties, and load paths.

  • Conventional Roof Framing Concerns

TRUSS ROOF FRAMING REFERENCE LIBRARY

Links to a page with images and information on inspecting truss roof framing from the attic, including common terms (may vary regionally)/ installation methods/ inspection concerns/ site-built trusses.

  • Truss Roof Framing Concerns

ROOF SHEATHING REFERENCE LIBRARY

Link to a page covering common sheathing concerns and deficiencies.

  • Roof Sheathing Concerns

EXTERIOR

EXTERIOR STAIRWAY REFERENCE

Exterior and interior stairways requirements are the same.

  • Stairway Inspection Concerns

EXTERIOR WALL-COVERING REFERENCE

  • Inspecting Brick
  • Inspecting Composite Siding
  • Inspecting Fiber-cement Siding
  • Inspecting Vinyl Siding
  • Inspecting Manufactured Stone Veneer
  • Inspecting Wood Siding

STRUCTURE

GENERAL STRUCTURE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Crack analysis
  • Conventional Roof Framing
  • Truss Roof Framing
  • Roof Sheathing
  • H-clips are not always required
  • Floor Structure
  • Wood Decay
  • Post-fire Framing Assessment
  • Expansive soil (map & information)

INTERIOR

FLOORING REFERENCE LIBRARY

Link to a page with images for inspecting hardwood floors, including: squeaking/ buckling/ chatter marks/ crowning/ excessive gaps/ greenhouse effect/ wood-destroying insects/ picture framing/ sticker stain/ uneven floor.

  • Inspecting Hardwood floors

WINDOW REFERENCE LIBRARY

Links to pages on inspecting windows, including: common inspection concerns/ tempered glass requirements/ condensation between panes (excellent explanation from Pella windows).

  • Inspecting Windows
  • Thermal Pane Window Failure

STAIRWAY REFERENCE LIBRARY

Link to a page with images for inspecting stairways, including requirements for : conventional. winding, and spiral stairways/ handrails/ guards/ risers/ treads/ landings.

  • Stairway Reference Library

KITCHEN REFERENCE LIBRARY

Links to pages on inspecting kitchen components, including: cabinets/ countertops/ sinks, range, oven, and hood/ refrigerator and freezer/ trash compactor/ electrical receptacles.

  • Kitchen Inspection
  • Inspecting Refrigerators

ELECTRICAL

ELECTRICAL REFERENCE LIBRARY

Guidelines for inspecting service panels, Including: panel mounting, cabinet, cover, clearances, and labels/ main disconnect/ fusible disconnects/ / grounding and bonding/ wiring / Labels and exposure ratings.

  • Inspecting the Service Drop
  • Service Panel Inspection Checklist
  • Service & Equipment Grounding
  • Bonding
  • Bonding Bushings
  • Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Hazards
  • Zinsco Panel Hazards
  • Backfed Breakers
  • Square D QO model RECALL 
  • Sub panels: floating neutral bus bar
  • Inspecting Branch Wiring
  • Neutral Conductor Concerns
  • AFCI Protection
  • GFCI Protection
  • Conductor Types
  • Bootleg Grounds
  • Smoke Alarms
  • Inspecting Photovoltaic Systems (video)

PLUMBING

PLUMBING REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Inspecting Residential Water Heaters
  • Water Heater Backdrafting
  • Combustion Exhaust Vent Termination Heights 
  • Private Water Wells
  • Water Pipe Distribution Materials
  • Septic System Inspection Training
  • Residential PEX Water Supply Plumbing Systems  
  • Problems with- and Identification of- Kitec Water Supply Pipes 
  • Type B Gas Vent Installation Details 
  • Gas Pipe Distribution Materials
  • Inspecting CSST
  • Bonding Gas Pipes  
  • Plumbing.com 
  • Copper and Concrete 
  • Polybutylene Water Pipes 
  • Sewage Ejector Installation and Operation Manual 
  • Sump Pump Installation Manual 

HVAC

GAS FURNACE REFERENCE LIBRARY

  • Gas furnace Inspection Concerns
  • Gas Furnace Operation
  • Gas Leak Detection
  • Gas Vent Termination Heights
  • White Residue on Combustion Vents
  • Identifying a Cracked Heat Exchanger
  • Combustion Air Requirements
  • Find the Furnace Date of Manufacture

GENERAL COOLING REFERENCE

  • Inspecting Air-conditioning Systems
  • Inspecting Mini-splits
  • Find the Date of Manufacture
  • Temperature Stratification in Multi-story Homes

LOG HOME INSPECTION

LOG HOME REFERENCE LIBRARY

Links to pages covering the systems inspected in a log home including Standards, training, and education.

  • Log home inspection concerns
  • ILBA Log Building Standards
  • Wall Log Settling and Shrinkage
  • Chinking
  • Log Checking
  • InterNACHI Log Home Inspection course (free to members)

POOL & SPA

POOL & SPA REFERENCE LINKS

  • Inspecting Pools and Spas
  • InterNACHI Online Pool and Spa course (members only)

GENERAL INSPECTION REFERENCE

REPORT WRITING REFERENCE LIBRARY

MISCELLANEOUS REFERENCE LIBRARY

UPCodes: this link will take you to a page where you can choose and use for free any of a variety of building codes. It lists the codes adopted by each state, including: NFPA, ANSI, IAPMO, ASHRAE, ASME, ACI, FGI, OSHA, and all ICC.

General Reference: this comprehensive page provides links to information on the following subjects:

  • Building Science
  • Business (Home Inspection, online business management, website development)
  • Concrete
  • Document Templates
  • Electrical
  • Exterior
  • Flooring, Hardwood
  • HVAC
  • Marketing
  • Standards Organizations
  • Plumbing
  • Reporting
  • Roof
  • Structure
  • Soil Movement

FACEBOOK GROUPS

The following pages don’t allow bad behavior:

  • Home Inspection Reporting (software, methods, content, and narratives)
  • Scribewear Users Group
  • Commercial Inspection Connection
  • Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association
  • Home Inspector’s Tutor
  • Home Inspector Help
  • Home Inspection Narratives
  • Texas Home Inspectors Support Group