When you’re looking into buying a home, there are many considerations to be made. One of the more important ones is the roof of a home. If you’re looking at several homes, there are ways to determine whether the roofs are structurally sound or whether there is damage, hidden or otherwise. How can you know what signs, good and bad, to examine in finding the right roof? Here are some of the more important factors and features to be aware of when house hunting.
Age of Roof
If you’re serious about buying a house, particularly a used one, you’ll want to get as much information as you can about the age of the roof and its components. They make most roofs of asphalt composite shingles and they last anywhere from 20 to 25 years. Other roofing materials come in wood, tile, metal, tin, rubber, and other composites. Ask the homeowner about the age of the roof and if any repairs or full replacement have occurred. Also, ask about any roof maintenance that’s done regularly. An inspection is probably in order when roof age is in question.
Checking on the Roof’s Condition
When you’re looking at a home to buy, check out the roof. Stand at a certain distance and look to see whether the roof is missing shingles or you spy loose or bare ones, or those that appear to be curling, bulging, or buckling. All of those factors show that there is usually something wrong with a roof and repairs are in order.
Ventilation
Maybe the roofs you’re looking at are in good shape, but a hidden problem could be in the ventilation system. When it’s not working right, the roof suffers.
A good ventilation system allows for sun and air to come into a house and when that’s not happening, mold can develop. A faulty ventilation system can cause major and costly issues with a home. When you’re buying a home, a non-functioning ventilation system should be repaired. Any reputable roofing company will tell you the same thing.
Drainage
Drainage pipes in a roof and the gutters and downspouts can affect the integrity of a roof. In order to check them, you’ll have to get on top of the roof and inspect them, though it’s probably best to hire a licensed roofing company to do the inspecting and any cleanout of gutters and downspouts. Use extreme caution if you do it yourself. You don’t want to move into a new house and immediately have to do any major work on a roof.
With downspouts, make sure they are taking water away from the home and not going directly into the ground. You’ll want to know of any substantial amounts of water flooding the downspout areas. Search for any possibilities of past flooding or excessive water flowing around the rooftop downspouts because this can mean that the soak wells (underground structure) are not the right size and water will go unchecked. This is a costly repair process.
In regard to doing any of this work yourself, be wary of and on the lookout for any loose granules from bare shingles on a roof as those granules can plug the gutters, plus the shingles themselves are pretty much damaged from the sun and just daily wear and require replacement.
Leaks and Breaks
Rooftop leaks and breaks can do damage to the interior of a home. Leaks usually occur during major rainstorms and the water can come through the vents, around chimneys, and other roof structures. Leaks can damage paint, walls, furniture, and flooring and they are difficult to locate without the help of roofing professionals.
A roof inspection will help find leaks and breaks which can come through small holes, breaks in the roof, roof creases, or where valleys come together (two roof slopes meet). Valleys are prone to leakage so you want to plan for a roof inspection before buying any home.
Roof Mold
Mold comes in various colors whether it’s black, green, white, or dark, they are usually noticeable in the roof area but they can be hidden as well. Mold is found in the walls of a home as well as under the flooring and in the roof. It can contaminate other areas as well and cause health problems. Mold thrives in areas of high humidity and where water is present, such as gutter systems, and in other places, like an attic, where poor ventilation occurs. Mold is another thing that requires an inspection before the purchase of a home.
Mold on a rooftop results from water or continual moisture in different areas of the roof. You may see the mold and have it removed, but you still need to get to its source. If a major leak lacks repair, the mold will return and it will spread throughout a home. Water from the leak pools and the mold develops and spreads throughout the home. It’s absorbed in the sheetrock, walls, rugs, and other places. The leaks can also cause water and moisture to accumulate within the walls, which causes other problems and damage.
All around, mold is bad for any home. It affects both the look and smell of a home, which can make living difficult. As stated earlier, mold presents health risks. You certainly don’t want to go into a home with unresolved mold issues.
Some rooftops have small gaps that require examination for leaks and the formation of mold. There are even devices to discover both leaks and mold through infrared cameras. With the health hazards that go along with mold, you probably want to hire professionals to find mold sources and eradicate them before you get into a home.
With so many situations concerning the age of roofs and those in need of major repairs and mold remediation along with other issues, you want to be cautious of it all when you get ready to buy a home. The professionals with RGB Construction will be happy to do a roof inspection to determine if there are any issues with a home you’re interested in purchasing. Also, you want any repairs done before you move into your new home. Call RGB at 856-264-9093. They’ll give you the peace of mind you need at moving time.
