Just got a roof inspection PDF that's straight outta sci-fi

That “possible biological presence” line always gets me too - feels like a cop-out.

I get where you’re coming from. The language can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to make decisions about repairs or insurance. There’s a fine line between being cautious and being too vague, but I do think some inspectors are just trying to avoid overstepping if they’re not 100% sure what they’re seeing. Still, I agree - if it looks like moss or algae, just say so.

About insurance claims, I’ve seen adjusters push back when reports lack detail or clear photos. It’s not super common, but it does happen. One client of mine had a claim delayed for weeks because the inspector’s report just said “possible moisture intrusion” with no supporting images. The adjuster wanted specifics - location, extent, even color of staining. It’s a hassle for everyone involved.

Honestly, detailed documentation helps everyone in the long run. Even if it takes a bit more time on site, it saves headaches later. And yeah, ignoring those warnings is risky... I’ve seen minor moss turn into major rot more than once.

Honestly, detailed documentation helps everyone in the long run. Even if it takes a bit more time on site, it saves headaches later.

Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve had folks call me back months after an inspection, panicked because their insurance wanted “proof” and all they had was a blurry photo and a line about “possible biological presence.” It’s wild how much smoother things go when you just call moss moss and slap a few decent photos in the report. That said, sometimes what looks like moss from the ground ends up being something else up close - so I get why some folks hedge. But yeah, vague reports are a pain for everyone.

Had a guy send me a report once that just said “green growth observed” with a photo so zoomed out you’d think it was a Google Earth shot. I get wanting to cover your bases, but at some point, you gotta call it. Ever had a customer argue about what’s actually growing up there?

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen the opposite problem - folks jumping to conclusions about what’s growing up there without enough evidence. Had a client swear up and down it was moss, but when we finally got a close-up, turned out to be just pollen and some windblown grass seed. If you’re dealing with a green roof system or even just shaded asphalt, it’s not always obvious from the ground or a wide shot.

That said, yeah, those “mystery blob” photos drive me nuts too. There’s a balance between being thorough and being vague. I’d rather someone admit they’re not sure than mislabel something and have us treat it wrong. Once had a property manager try to scrape off what he thought was algae - ended up damaging the membrane because it was actually lichen embedded in the surface.

Guess my take is: better safe than sorry, but at least give us a zoomed-in shot so we can tell if it’s moss, algae, or just last fall’s debris.

- Totally get the frustration with those “mystery blob” pics.
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“There’s a balance between being thorough and being vague.”

Couldn’t agree more - sometimes less guesswork would save everyone time.
- I’ve misjudged stuff on my own roof before, so you’re not alone.
- Zoomed-in shots really do help - learned that the hard way after scrubbing what turned out to be just old pollen.
- It’s always better when folks admit they’re not sure, instead of making us chase the wrong problem.