That rots! Water intrusion causes structural damage.

This photo shows a few of our most pressing issues. Well, actually, the photo doesn't exactly show the issues, since they are somewhat concealed. One area of concern is the over-grown shrub. It has now been trimmed back so that it doesn't do further damage to the siding. 

Our handyman opened up the corner in preparation for making repairs.  Yes, that is sunlight coming in through the damaged wall.  

The house has had water issues in the corner, behind that shrub. Water runs along the gutter system from the left side and from the right side, and funnels *into* the house at that corner. We can see that beam, as it is open in a compartment under the internal stairs. And the beam is surprisingly crumbly, as with dry rot. There is hardly any distinct wood left in the wood! We can see water on the plaster inside the laundry room (which is behind that window), every time it rains. So far, this is the only structural damage that we have found in the house, and thankfully there are many other supporting beams.

When I first saw this photo (above) I thought the black was mold.  In fact, it is the tar paper that is behind the exterior white plank siding.  Lloyd went out to get supplies, and his van was rear-ended on the road.  So, we have rain on the way, and an open wall.  Not that a little drizzle is going to cause much more damage, right?

Further, the North side copper ridge cap has blown away on the dormer, and we have been concerned that water is coming in. The South dormer is also missing the ridge cap, but the middle dormer has its intact.  We bought the house soon after Hurricane Matthew, and it, or another hurricane, caused some damage.  We found one ridge piece, about 9 feet long, in the undergrowth.  We haven't come across the other length of copper.  I am attempting to get a bid from a local roofer, in order to secure ridge caps in place again.

Lastly, there are two panes of glass out in the upper dormer. The windows appear to be hand made, and have single pane squares of glass. A few broken pieces of windowpane are resting in the junction of the two sections of the house.