The roof is one of the most important parts of a house and is also the most expensive one. When you’re thinking about buying a new home, you’ll want to make sure that the roof is solid and sturdy. A roof protects the entire house, its belongings, and the residents. Inspecting the roof thoroughly is equally crucial before finalizing a property. If a new home’s roof requires repair or replacement, you should be aware of this ahead of time.
In a nutshell, a house is not safe without a well-built roof. Also, if it is in poor condition, it is vulnerable to a variety of problems. When planning to purchase a new home, you should conduct a proper inspection. This goes beyond simply observing the situation from the ground, as this does not provide the best perspective.
Things to Look for in a Roof When Buying a Home
The most crucial details to consider are mentioned below:
1. Check the Age of the Roof
If you’re thinking about making an offer on the house, be sure to inquire about the roof’s age. The older it is, the more likely you will need to repair it or replace it entirely. If you’re set on buying a house with an older roof, you can factor the cost of a new roof into your budget. You can start by directly asking the realtor or home inspector about the roof’s lifespan.
Regardless of how well a roof is maintained, it will still need to be replaced at one point in time. An aging roof will not protect the house. The average roof life is approximately 40 years, depending on the construction materials. You can roughly check the age of a roof by just investigating several things like worn-out spots, the flatness of the roof, and missing shingles. If the roof has such deformities, the roof is likely very old.
2. Examine for an Effective Ventilation System
A roof ventilation system is an essential component of a healthy home. With so many different types of roof vents, it’s ideal to consult a roofer to explain what’s going on if you’re not sure about roof ventilation.
Even if the house you’re considering has a brand new roof, if it doesn’t have an adequate ventilation system, you’re going to have a lot of problems. A faulty ventilation system can result in various issues, thereby increasing the cost of maintenance in the long run.
3. Check the Roof Gutters and Drainage Systems
Gutters are a crucial component of a roof’s overall health. Hence it is critical to inspect them before buying a home. In most cases, gutters are merely clogged and require cleaning for water to flow freely. However, damaged gutters will result in substantial water damage to the roof as well as the interior of the home.
Keep an eye out for pipes that carry out the drainage water along the roof. You can assess the condition of the roof by climbing up on the roof if you feel comfortable. However, it is better to delegate this task to professionals. Alternatively, if you decide to do it yourself, proceed with caution.
4. Inspect the Roof Leaks and Cracks
Leakage is most common in chimneys, plumbing vents, valleys, during the spring melt and during heavy rains. Make sure to visit all of these venues as well. You may hire experts to locate and repair a leak. So, before you buy a house, make sure to check the roof for leaks. Have a look at the ceilings inside of the house, if there are any stains to discoloration there may be a leak or it may have leaked in the past.
5. Check for Broken Shingles
You can spot the broken or missing shingles from the ground. And you can avoid this problem from becoming worse if caught early. The roof with missing or cracked tiles or shingles is vulnerable to water damage.
Replace the missing shingles before buying the house. When replacing a roof, most roofers recommend that homeowners keep an extra box of shingles on hand so that if a shingle goes missing, they can quickly replace it.
6. Review the Downspouts Location
Check that all roof downspouts should not trail directly into the ground; otherwise, flooding will occur. Instead, their position should be at a steep angle to direct water runoff away from the building.
You should look for any signs of previous flooding or excessive water flowing around the rooftop downspouts. This might indicate that the soak wells aren’t the right size or that they need cleaning, which can be costly.
Takeaway
You need to be extra cautious when planning to purchase a house. While it’s important to inspect the interiors of the house, the outside must also be in good shape. The roof, in particular, needs to be prioritized. Make sure to evaluate every aspect of the roof mentioned above while inspecting a home. If you know what to expect as a buyer, you can find a home with a sound roof.
It is advisable to hire qualified roofers such as Agassiz Roofing to assist you with the roof inspection. With them, you can rest assured that there will be no roof-related surprises once you’ve moved into the new home.
