BUYING A NEW HOME? KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE ROOF.-ECOPLASTILE LIMITED-Manufacturers of Elegant and Stylish Roof

When purchasing a new home, most buyers painstakingly look at every detail of the interior so they know more about the condition of the property. From the shape of the floor to the age of the appliances, most buyers make it a point to inspect everything more than once. However, one area that’s often left ignored is the roof. When you consider buying a new home, you want to make sure that the roof of the house is sturdy. The roof is one of the most expensive features of a home so you should make sure to give it a good inspection

Why Is The Roof So Important?

There are so many things you need to check about a home before you buy it, why is the roof so important? Shortly, because without it, your home has no protection. If a roof isn’t in good condition that means that it’s at risk of all sorts of damage.

The biggest issue is that of water damage. If water gets into your roof, it’ll cause a whole variety of issues. Mold can form, which creates health issues. Water will start dripping through the rest of the home, causing damage to your ceilings, walls and more. Rot can set in in the roof beams, and if it’s left unchecked it could even mean you need to pay out for a new roof.

None of these issues are simple to fix, and they’ll all cost money to deal with. If you’ve just bought your home, the last thing you want to do is deal with spending more money to fix these problems. If you check a roof over before you buy, you’re ensuring that there won’t be any problems you have to address as soon as you’ve moved in.

How to Check a Roof

You can do this a couple of different ways. You can see some roof damage, such as missing roof shingles, for yourself, from the ground. However, to get a full and comprehensive idea of the state of the roof, you’ll need an expert.

Firstly, you can hire a roofer yourself to check the roof out for you. They’ll get on the roof to take a good look at it from the outside, as well as getting into the attic to see if any damage has occurred inside it. They’ll then give you a full report of what condition the roof is in, and what they would recommend for it should you buy the home.

 What to Look For In a Roof before Buying a Home

So, if you’re having the roof inspected, what should you be looking for? Here’s a list of what issues you want to avoid or have fixed before you move in. You’ll also see some things that you want to be done to the roof too before you hand over your cash.

 1. The Overall Roof Condition

Before anything else, it’s important to look at the roof as a whole to see how it’s holding up. Are there shingles missing? Are there any shingles that look cracked or curled? Try to find out when the roof was installed from the sellers so you can determine how much longer you have left before it needs to be replaced.

2. Missing or Broken Shingles

This is an issue that you’ll be able to see from the ground, and it’s not the worst issue if it’s caught quickly. If there are any tiles or shingles that are missing or broken, that means that they’re leaving the roof vulnerable to water damage.  If there are any missing shingles, then you can ask that they’re replaced before you buy. Most roofers recommend that home owners keep an extra box of shingles when they have their roof replaced, as then if a shingle goes missing, it’s easy to grab a replacement and fix the problem.

 3. Mold Spots or Stains

Spots and stains are details you should watch out for, as these are signs of mold. While black mold is the most common, you may also see other colors such as green or even white. In most cases the mold spots will be located on the top of the roofing material, although in some situations the spots can be located closer to the bottom of the material where water has intruded into the home.

If any areas in the interior were treated for water damage, it’s important to take a close look at your roofing material. Since mold can deteriorate your roof and release dangerous spores into the air (and your home), it’s important to tackle this problem immediately. If you choose to go through with the purchase, you should be ready to either invest in a new roof or repairs.

4. Blocked Guttering

This is another issue that should be fixed quickly before it causes any issues. Ask your roofer if there’s any debris sitting in the gutters. If there is, it’s a sign that water may be getting backed up out of the gutters, and getting into the roof. This causes problems over time as water isn’t being guided away from the roof itself.

5. Good Ventilation System

A ventilation system on the roof is a crucial part of a healthy home. It should allow both air and sun to come inside so you can avoid the risk of mold while keeping ventilation running throughout the home. There are many different types of roof vents, so if you’re not sure what you’re looking at, it’s recommended to have a roofer explain what’s going on.

In spite of the fact that the house you’re thinking about may have a shiny new rooftop on it, if it doesn’t have an appropriate ventilation mechanism then you may face enormous issues. A ventilation system that lets sunlight and air come in easily are a must. These two things should never be neglected when purchasing a house. Poor ventilation system can cause a number of problems. It doesn’t only add up to the cost by causing more problems, but also helps in the formation of mold.

6. Water Stains

A sure sign there’s a leak somewhere in the house is a water stain. You’re most likely to find them on the ceilings in the upstairs rooms of the home.

Even if the current home owner has tried to cover these up, there are ways of finding out if there has been a leak. If there’s a smell of fresh paint, that’s a sure sign that the stains have been painted over.

You’ll also find out if there’s a leak when your roofer comes to inspect the roof.

 7. Gutters

Since the gutters are such an important part of your roof’s overall health, it’s incredibly important to see what shape they are in before you buy. In most cases, gutters will simply be messy and need to be cleaned out in order for the water to flow more smoothly. However, if there is any damage to the gutters, this can lead to significant water damage on your roof as well as the interior of your home.

8. Roof Age

As well as you take care of your roof, at some point it will need to be replaced. An ageing roof isn’t going to protect your home as well as a newer one, so at some point you will need to replace it. The average roof will last up to 50 years, depending on the materials used to make the roof.

When you’re considering making an offer on a home, make sure you ask how old the roof is. The older it is, the more likely it is you’ll need to do repairs or replace it entirely. You may want to build the cost of a new roof into your budget if you’re set on buying a home with an older roof.

9. Sagging

If you see any sign of sagging on the ceilings inside of the home, this could mean water damage has occurred in the past. The smartest way to address this is by having a roofer look under the shingles to determine if any damage has been done. They’ll be able to look for water damage as well as mold so you can prepare for repairs or a new roof if you decide to buy.

10. Canals and Seepage System

Make sure to investigate drainage pipes that run along the roof. Getting up on the roof and inspecting the seepage system is a great way to judge a roof’s condition. However, it is recommended that you let experts do that. Or, be very careful if you decide to do it yourself.

Conclusion

Make sure you’re looking for these signs when you’re looking at a particular home to buy. If you’re up to date on what to expect as a buyer, you’ll get a home with a roof that’s in good condition, ready for you to move in. Thank you for reading the 1st ever Blog Post of Ecoplastile. It’s part of the series, About the Roof!

Reach out to Ecoplastile at www.ecoplastile.com or mail info@ecoplastile.com

THE ECOPLASTILE TEAM