A roof is one of the most expensive features of a home. When you’re buying a new home, it’s important to ensure the roof of your new home is in good shape prior to your purchasing the new home.
Miniamlly, if the roof of your new home needs a roof repair or roof replacement it should be something you know ahead of time and factor into the purchase of your home.
Below are some basic things to look into and questions to ask when considering the purchase of a new home.
How Old Is The Roof?
One of the first things you should look into when buying a new home is the roof and its age. Because a roof’s age doesn’t always say everything about its condition, this first step should go beyond just asking your real estate agent, “How old is the roof?”
Stand at a distance from the home and check the roof. Is the roof mold-free? If there are bulges, bubbles or if the edges of the roof are curled; all these could be signs of a moldy roof.
Look and ensure there are no worn out spots or missing shingles; these are signs that the roof could be quite old.
Because there are a lot of factors that determine a roof’s condition, a roof could very well be 15-20 years old and be in good condition. And on the reverse end, it could be 10 years old and be in poor condition (click here to see that article that covers how long roofs generally last in Florida).
How Is The Roof’s Ventilation System?
Being that Florida weather is so harsh, many new home owners inspect the air conditioner, its condition and its age. But did you know that roofs require ventilation too – and for that same reason: Florida’s weather conditions can be so extreme.
When buying a new home, check to see how the roof’s ventilation system is.
A proper roof ventilation system should be letting in both sunlight and air to prevent mold and water build up.
Poor roof ventilation can cause numerous problems and will have you calling for a roof repair or a roof replacement much sooner than expected.
Check The Roof’s Gutters and Drainage Systems
Another very important aspect about doing a thorough roof inspection, before buying a new home, is checking the gutters, seepage and drain systems.
This may require taking a ladder and actually looking at the gutters and drain systems that run along the edges of the roof. For safety reasons, and to ensure you don’t overlook any potential problems, we suggest that you call a professional roofer out to help with the inspection. If you choose to do this part yourself, be sure to take the appropriate safety precautions before climbing on top of the roof.
When checking the drainage system, ensure to check the gutters, the drain, the downspouts, drainage pipes and seepage system.
Looking into the drains could also tell you if the roof is old or falling apart, if you see small pebbles or pieces small pieces of gray asphalt, showing that the shingles are starting to loose their protective layer.
Roof Cracks and Roof Leaks
You know the saying, never overlook the obvious?
When buying a new home look for active roof cracks or roof leaks and also look for any signs of potential roof leaks.
Yellow or off-colored patches on a ceiling, stains or brown spots on molding or at the top of a wall, water damage, cracks on the roof or damaged wood.
Without listing the countless problems leaks and roof damage can cause to your home, let’s just say that we highly advise not buying a new home if there are any cracks or leaks in the roof without first getting the roof repaired or getting the entire roof replaced.
If you have any questions or concerns when trying to see if a roof has cracks or leaks that could potentially create many problems and unexpected expenses, ensure to call a professional roofer. It’s worth going the extra mile.
Does The Roof Have Any Signs of Mold?
Again, we’re not trying to overstate the obvious but how would you know if a roof has mold or not?
In Florida, it’s not uncommon for a poorly ventilated home or roof to develop mold.
Mold can grow anywhere that is slightly damp and dark. Between walls, under floor boards, and of course roofs.
Roofs don’t have to have leaks in order to develop mold problems. A leaking water pipe or a leaking gutter system can create mold too.
The three main factors that create mold on your roof are:
- Water
- Poor Ventilation
- Heat
A moldy roof not only needs to be replaced, costing you a lot of money. But it also causes odors and is bad for your health. Many studies directly relate mold to lung problems and even bacterial and viral infections. Mold on your roof can also cause further damage to your walls, furniture and other areas of your house.
When buying a new roof ensure to check and ensure there is no mold and no signs of mold damage.
Should I Call A Profesional Roofer?
As mentioned in the beginning of this article, a roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home. Buying a home and finding out the home needs a roof replacement could be very expensive and upsetting.
Most roof damage can be seen easily if you take care to inspect the roof and the various points mentioned above. And of course, in newer constructions and new homes, there is less to worry about.
But should you have any question or doubts about a roof’s condition, of a house that you want to buy, calling a professional roofer to do a thorough inspection could help you determine the condition of the roof; allowing you to make your decision with confidence.
No.1 Home Roofing offers an inspection service for anyone who wants to buy a new home. Contact us by clicking here.