What to Look for in the Roof When You’re Buying a Home
One of the significant parts of your home (and usually the most expensive one to replace) is a roof. It is one of the essential segments to look out for when you are house-hunting or looking to rent a house, and we’ll explain why in a second. Check out the tips below to consider before saying “yes” to homes you’ve been checking out for a while now.
Don’t Neglect the Obvious
The first thing to do is check out the way the roof looks from the outside. Stand at a distance and ask (yourself) the following questions:
- Are there any shingles missing?
- Does the roof appear flat, or are there spots where it sinks or buckles?
- Do any of the shingles have curled edges?
- Does it look like there’d be mildew or mold on close inspection?
- Are there spots where the roof looks lighter or darker?
These and many other issues could indicate an older roof that needs to be repaired or replaced. Talk to the current homeowner about the roof’s last inspection and the roof’s age to get a better insight.
Check the Gutters
Gutters and drainage play a significant role in the roof’s “health,” so be sure to check them properly. If channels are clogged, there could have been some water damage recently. Keep an eye out for shingle grains as well; if there are too many shingle grains in the gutters, the roof is probably losing its protective coating due to age or other factors.
Inspect for Leaks
Have you ever had the feeling when you come home from work, ready to unwind and chill out, but then, you notice your roof is leaking, and you go ballistic? Well, have that image in mind when you are inspecting the state of the roof in your new, potential home! As you know already, leaky roofs can cause a lot of damage to your home, such as completely ruin your floors, walls and everything in between. But, that’s not all: finding out where the leak is coming from is a real pain in itself, as the hole can be 5-10 feet from where you initially spotted water.
So, ask the homeowner if they have experienced any roofing leaks and make sure you check wall flashings, roof seams, and chimneys for leaks. If you are not experienced enough to do this yourself, call in a professional for a roof inspection.
Good Ventilation System
If you’ve done all the inspections of the roof and it looks like everything’s in check, there’s one more thing to check for: the roof’s ventilation system. Without an appropriate ventilation mechanism, your house may face huge issues. You should make sure the ventilation system in your roof lets the air and sunlight in quickly to avoid problems like the formation of mold and similar.
Work With Professionals
At 1-800-HANSONS we use the highest quality materials for full weather protection in building the best roofs for your homes. Making sure that you and your family have a durable roof for years to come, we’ve been able to pioneer the industry’s ONLY lifetime “No Leak Guarantee.” Check out our options today!
Click here to schedule a free roofing estimate with 1-800-HANSONS.
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