Today for just about anyone, purchasing a new house is a big deal. As a matter of fact, it is most likely one of the biggest investments you’ll will ever make. That is why it is so important to fully understand the implications of having a roof thoroughly inspected and what to know about the roof before buying a new house.
While there are many things to take in account such as the plumbing and electrical wiring as well as the HVAC system and other components of a home, the roof is a key part of any house that must be considered. This is especially true considering the fact that a leaking roof or defective roof could easily cause major damage totaling in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Along with all of the other considerations including picking a new neighborhood and working within your budget, there is so much to consider prior to making an offer on a new home. Long before placing an offer or buying that new house that you’ve always dreamed about having, it’s absolutely essential to make certain that there are no red flags when it comes to the roof and the structural integrity of the home.
Indeed, purchasing a home that has a weak, poorly installed or severely damaged roof can result in cascading financial troubles and headaches that can last for years. Even with Homeowners Insurance, if you purchase a new home with a faulty roof, any leaks that occur shortly after the purchase of the home will most likely not be covered by your insurance, leaving you having to pay for repairs out of pocket according to AllState.
Take the time to plan carefully when purchasing a home to ensure that the roof is solid, structurally sound and properly installed. Here are some key factors to consider with regard to a roof on a house that you may be considering purchasing.
Here are some things to know about the roof before buying a new home:
Not only unsightly, mold is dangerous to humans and pets and can cause big problems if not addressed promptly. Appearing in various colors, mold is a fungus and can be seen as everything from black to green or some other dark color as well as even white. If you’re not careful, mold can become a real issue, according to CompyLiving, about 70% of homes have mold and about 28% of people are genetically predisposed to mold-related health problems.
Having a professional roofing company in The Woodlands inspect a roof before making a purchase is one of the most important steps any potential home buyer can possibly make. Mold can even develop between walls and under floors. It may even grow underneath roof shingles going completely undetected. Mold likes moisture and thrives the best in water drenched materials.
This is why it is so common to see mold in and around roofing material and even underneath roofs. Consider the fact that most roofs have a gutter system that completely surrounds the structure. This is the perfect breeding ground for the growth of this unsightly substance. Mold growth is a big problem and can eventually contaminate the interior portions of walls as well as the painted areas of walls. Those searching for a home in a hotter climate should exercise extreme caution as mold typically tends to develop where there is moisture and poor ventilation.
When water intrudes into the inner workings of a roof, the end result is moldy growth. One of the biggest problems when it comes to roofing and mold growth is that many people will fix the mold problem at the surface while overlooking what caused mold in the first place. As such, mold often returns back to the same spot within a short time.
This is especially true if an existing leak has not been repaired. If a serious leak continues to go unchecked, eventually the interior of walls and even flooring can become damaged and moldy. Not only is this a serious threat to the actual structure itself, but it also becomes a very serious health concern for the occupants of a home where mold is present.
In addition, while mold is bad for a home structure and certainly bad for health, it is also damaging to curb appeal. In other words, it simply looks horrible. It also often exudes a rancid smell that can be very detracting and nauseating. A professional and expertly trained technician should fully inspect a roof to make sure that even the smallest gaps have been checked thoroughly for the possibility of mold. Some professionals in the industry are now using infrared cameras to do this kind of work.
When hiring a professional to perform this sort of inspection, it is best to find one with experience and the latest high-tech equipment if necessary. Removing mold or repairing a patch on the roof before buying or selling the house before it makes its way into the interior of a home is very important.
This is one of the first things that a potential home buyer should inquire about when preparing to purchase a home. Checking the roof and getting the details with regard to the age of the roof and the overall condition should be standard practice for anyone buying a residential home. As discussed, mold inspections should be at the top of the list when it comes to checking the roof.
It is also a good idea to check from a distance to see visually if the roof is perfectly flat and whether or not there are curling edgers or bulges in the tiles or other roofing material. Check for worn out areas and if any shingles are missing. Deformities in the roof may be a telltale sign that it is an old and damaged roof.
Again, a careful and detailed inspection by an expert technician should be standard practice long before ever submitting an offer on a home that is for sale. Check with the original homeowners to get an accurate indication of the age of the roof. Whether a roof is made of metal, composite or even cedar shingles, age does matter. While composite shingles tend to last longer, all roofing materials are subject to age-related deformities.
You may also check to see what type of roof the home has. If the roofing shingles are made out of following shingles, you in good luck (if the installation was done properly):
Another good thing to ask the original homeowner is whether or not they had routine maintenance performed on their roof. It is this regular routine maintenance and upkeep that can help to ensure a roof stays healthy and strong over the years. A properly maintained roof can easily last three decades or longer. However, older roofs often require replacement and this can be very expensive. Depending on the type of material used, the cost of a replacement roof can vary substantially.
Either way, it is easy to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a roof replacement, but however if you are looking to replace your roof and are looking to see how much it may cost you visit Roofcalc.org for more info:
When buying an older home with an original roof, it is important to be prepared to spend money on potential repairs or replacements.
Leaks in a rooftop are more common than most people might imagine. These leaks, as discussed can be severely damaging to the overall structure of the home as well as even the flooring and walls, making it harder to fully move in if you’re deciding to buy the house. A leaking roof can also damage expensive furniture and cause the paint on walls to become peeled and moldy.
Once a roof begins to leak, it is very hard to detect the source of the leak. That is why having a professional roofer do any work on your roof is always the best option. Leaks typically occur around plumbing vents, in dips and valleys as well as near chimneys and when there has been a heavy rain. Finding the leak is the first step in correcting the problem. When preparing to purchase a home it cannot be over stressed how important it is to make sure that the roof should be thoroughly inspected for potential leakage.
Completely inspecting the shingles and making sure that none are missing or damaged is part of this process. Any missing or damaged shingles will likely result eventually in some amount of leaking. Again, the big problem is always the possibility of serious water damage.
When you have a roof inspected before purchasing a home, get a comprehensive estimate on the cost of repairs. This is an important step because ultimately the seller of the home may be willing to pay the costs of roof repair or replacement.
Even if the house you are considering purchasing has a brand-new perfectly looking roof, it still may have serious problems like inadequate ventilation. This can be a serious issue resulting in more detrimental problems at a later time.
All roofs require a quality ventilation system that allows fresh air and even sunlight to enter. This will ensure that the roof stays free of mold over the short and long-term. This is another case hiring roofing contractors in The Woodlands or in your area to inspect your roof to make sure that proper ventilation exists in the current roof on a home that is for sale.
Finally, another vital aspect of thoroughly checking a roof completely prior to purchasing a home is making sure that the roof drainage system is working as it should. Improperly installed gutters or gutters that are broken and leaking will eventually cause serious water damage and damage to the roof. It can also easily eventually result in the formation of mold which, as discussed is damaging to roofing and hazardous to humans and pets.
Check to make sure that the gutters are not clogged and that they are properly draining and free of debris. As an added note, check for any cracks or holes in the gutter system as this can easily result in leaks as well. At the end of the day, you should know all of these key factors about a roof long before you ever buy a home.
After reading this article on things to know about the roof before buying a new house, I hope that you are now more informed about what to look for and how to best buy a perfect house for your new future.
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2 Responses
I really love your article on stuff to know before buying a house. I was reading your other articles and I thank you for providing me so much help on selecting the right home and having it fixed. I might hire a contractor in my area to replace my roof in a few years.
I appreciate the comment John! Good luck!