Buying A New Home And What To Look For On The Roof

When considering the purchase of a new home, many shoppers overlook one crucial area—the roof.  The roof, if in need of repair, can be one of the most expensive of all the features of a home, so you must give it a good-looking over.

The question is, as a home buyer, what exactly do you need to know, and what are you looking for?

Age

When buying a new home, take a step back at a distance and take a few moments to check out a few things. First, does the roof appear to have signs of mold on it?  If the roof is shingled, the shingles should lay flat and not show any curling or bulging.

Look to see if there are any visibly worn spots or if any of the shingles appear missing or loose.  Ifyou notice any deformities upon visual inspection of the roof, then there maybe a chance that the roof has some years on it. An old roof is not always a problem, per se, but the conditions usually affecting an older roof can be a problem.

Don't be afraid to comment and ask either the seller or the realtor questions about the roof.  Most all roofing material has an estimated life span.  Depending on the roofing material that has been used, some roofs may last longer than others.

Ventilation

Important to understand is that, although the roof may be brand new and shiny, if it does not have sufficient ventilation, a whole host of issues could arise down the road.  A roof must have a ventilation system that allows adequate amounts of both air and sunlight in.  Proper roof ventilation should never be overlooked when considering the purchase of a home.  

A poor ventilation system will only prove to cause a whole host of problems.  The damage from poor ventilation proves to be costly in the long run, but it also allows the buildup of mold – which is a whole other issue to have to deal with.

Seepage

Water can be a significant problem when it comes to roofing.  Take the time to look at any drainage pipes that appear to be running along the edges of the roofline.  If possible, inspect the roof by climbing up top to get an up-close look at the seepage system.  If you find that you do not feel comfortable climbing up onto the roof or are unsure what to look for, seek out the services of a professional to perform the inspection for you.

The seepage system of the roof will include the gutters,downspouts, and any additional drainage pipes. The gutters should appear clean and free from the grit that comes from asphalt shingles, if present.  It would be best to inspect downspouts and drainage pipes to ensure they are all clog-free and allow water from rain storms to flow freely away from the roof.

Leaks and Breaks

When a roof leaks, the results can include damage to not only the roof, but the floors as well as the overall structure of the home.  Water damage can be costly to repair and significantly stress new and old homeowners.  A roof leak damages the outside of the home and can also damage areas on the inside, such as furniture, floors, and walls.  Once you find that your roof is leaking, tracking down its source location can be more than challenging, which can often lead to a lot of frustration. The problem with tracing a leak is that it never ends up being where it appears to be.

Whenever considering the purchase of a home, it will be in your best interest to take the time and check out the roof's overall condition.  Home buyers often give the roof a passing glance from a distance and are never aware of any problems until they move in and learn of them the hard way. Don't take the chance that, when you settle into your beautiful new home, you will encounter substantial additional debt preparing a leaky roof that may end up needing a total replacement.

If you find you need a roofing contractor in the Woodlands, Tomball, Spring, and Conroe areas, look no further than the most trusted roofing company in Texas, Service First Construction.  We offer and provide a wide range of roofing services, including roof installation, roof repair, roof maintenance, and various other construction services. Contact us today, and we would be happy to schedule an appointment time that works within your schedule to answer any questions or concerns you may have.