Blocked off roof access hatch

I’m looking at a townhouse that has recently been remodeled. When doing my walk through, I could not find a roof access hatch on the 2nd floor. Apparently, the contractor sheetrocked over it. Seller doesn’t seem inclined to have a contractor go on the roof reopen the roof access hatch. In NYC, is it required that townhouses have a roof access hatch? How can home inspector adequately asses the crawl space and insulation? If there is a future roof leak, does having a roof access hatch serve a purpose other than getting onto the roof more easily? How can I kindly request that the Seller reopen the hatch if you think it is a necessity? Thanks!

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago

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resident2 | 6 years and 10 months ago

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You say the building has “recently been remodeled” was it filed? Are there permits out on the work?
In order to close of a means egress; IE: the roof hatch, it needs to be approved by the DOB.
I doute very seriously that the DOB would approve taking out an existing roof hatch.

slopefarm | 6 years and 10 months ago

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I meant chimney cleaners. When someone is working on the house, I like to keep a bit of an eye on them, engage in conversation, get a good sense of them. I learn things about whether I want to use the same things again, as well as about the house.

randolph | 6 years and 10 months ago

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> @slopefarm
> chat with chimney inspectors

what do you chat about?

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago

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It is necessary. The basement and roof say a lot about a house and its condition.

slopefarm | 6 years and 10 months ago

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That’s suspicious.

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago

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Sheetrocking was done 4 months ago

slopefarm | 6 years and 10 months ago

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Well, anyone can get onto a roof from the exterior with an extra long ladder. But that’s a bit impractical as your only route up. As a homeowner, I would not settle for that except in a one or very low two story. I go up on my roof from time to time to check on condition, chat with chimney inspectors, deal with gutters, etc. I also don’t like the idea that this was sheetrocked over. It is an opening in the exterior — more opportunities for water and other problems. I’d want to see the hatch and surrounding area before I bought for signs of leaks, other damage.

How recent is the sheetrocking?

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago

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Does anyone know if roof hatch is required to have to be up to code? If not, it sounds like i take it at my own risk (risk being that the sheetrock is covering up an uninsulated / damaged roof) assuming Seller doesn’t feel obligated to reopen the hatch.

daveinbedstuy | 6 years and 10 months ago

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Hmmm, OK. Mine never did nor did any hatch of other houses I looked at. And I had a lay light over the stairwell as well.

Arkady | 6 years and 10 months ago

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Dibs – My hatch access allows me to get into the cockloft & several of my neighbors have the same. There’s an open stretch between the ceiling of the room below & the actual hatch to the roof. Mine’s about 3 feet at that point. Lets me clean the lay light over the stairwell among other things.

daveinbedstuy | 6 years and 10 months ago

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A roof access hatch won’t allow access to any insulated “cockloft” or “crawlspace” area. Just the roof. Your inspector needs to bring a ladder to inspect the roof.

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago

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Can get onto roof with an x-long ladder. Was told that the roof was recently patched with a liquid membrane in certain parts applied

SoSlope | 6 years and 10 months ago

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There are many reasons to want to be able to access the roof relatively easily (i.e., more easily than setting up a ladder from ground level). I am up there at least a couple of times a year just to check the roof and to make sure that there are no leaves in the gutter. Not having any roof access would be a major issue.

Perhaps more importantly, what contractor would not know this? If he was willing to cut this corner, what other corners did he cut?

slopefarm | 6 years and 10 months ago

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That would trouble me. Were you able to get up onto the roof as part of the inspection? Do you have any roof access at all? If not, that simply isn’t acceptable in my view. I imagine there are code issues here, including fire. But I would also wonder why the seller covered it up, what’s being hidden, etc.