We’re convinced that the roof is the single most important part of a home. And it’s that time of year again when many people are out house hunting and searching for a new home for their families. When it comes to purchasing your first house, a lot of homebuyers seem to gloss over the state of the roof, unless it’s in extreme distress.

However, the roof should be one of the top items on your checklist when you’re on the hunt for that perfect house.

A well-maintained and properly installed roof can last over 30 years, but that doesn’t mean that yearly inspections as well as that initial pre-purchasing inspection aren’t important to the well-being of the structure. When you’re at the property, conduct your own visual inspection. If you’re in love with the home and plan on placing an offer, hire a Sarasota roofing contractor to do an inspection before the offer or during the negotiation phase.

If the seller already had an inspection completed recently, ask to review it.

Asking the right questions while you’re looking at all these important aspects of a roof is also helpful. Ask about the age of the roof; its history (whether there has been any damage in the past that needed to be fixed, including leaks within the home); how often the homeowner got it properly inspected; and the projected lifespan of the roof (depending on the material that it’s made from).

What You Should Look At:

The Obvious

Take a solid look at the state of the roof. There are a multitude of questions to ask yourself, but common warning signs would be missing shingles (or other material), mold, worn spots, and curled edges.

Proper Ventilation

The ventilation system of a home is actually a major factor in the “healthiness” of a roof. Although the roof may be relatively new, if the ventilation system isn’t up-to-date or working properly, you’ll face some roof issues down the road.

A proper ventilation system lets sunlight and air come in easily; it also reduces energy costs and decreases the level of moisture in the home. However, if the system is on the fritz, you could be facing mold or a warped roof.

Gutters and Good Drainage System

A drainage system involves three aspects: downspouts, gutters, and drainage pipes. You’ll want to make sure all of these parts are in working order, which a roofing contractor can help you with. When looking at the gutters, thoroughly inspect the shingle grains, as these little guys protect the shingles from the sun’s rays.

Leaks

When a roof leaks, the water may be pouring out of one spot, but it’s actually leaking from something that’s closer to 10 feet away from the problem area.Common leakers include areas such, chimneys, plumbing vents, roof seam connecting additions, and head wall flashings.

Conclusion

If you’ve just purchased a new home or need an roof inspected of a home you’re hoping to buy, contact the experienced roofing team at Avery Roof Services, today!