You’ve been saving for a new home, viewing houses every weekend in your favorite neighborhoods, and you’ve finally found the one you want.
Its cupboards are in perfect condition, the yard has drought-resistant plants, and both bathrooms were recently remodeled. It has another benefit: it’s located near a really good school.
What about the roof? Even if you think the roof looks fine from your sidewalk view, it’s important to hire a licensed roofer to complete a roof inspection. A roof may look like it will survive another 10 or 15 years but you can’t be certain until an inspection is completed.
Roofing Issues Your New Home May Have
- Roof Leaks: A roof that leaks will inevitably cause damage to the house and its foundation. Built-up roofs can have leaks due to improperly installed flashing details. In other roofs, leaks can occur when a moisture barrier isn’t properly installed. In addition, leaking can occur when single-ply membrane roofs have poor seams. Make certain that your roofing expert looks for these issues.
- Suffering from Neglect: Even if the installers did a perfect job, poor maintenance on the part of the homeowner could have shortened the life of the roof. If the previous homeowners irregularly cleaned the gutters and downspouts or failed to replace a cracked tile, the roof can more easily degrade and possibly damage the foundation of the home you’re about to purchase.
- Improperly Repaired: Perhaps the previous homeowners attempted to repair a leak but used inferior materials. Sometimes, people will use caulking or plastic roof cement, which aren’t intended for their metal roof. Or the homeowner might have placed a large bucket on a single-ply membrane and inadvertently worsened their problems.
- Unnecessary Roof Traffic: While it’s important to clear debris from the roof and to check the roof if you have a leak, it’s not a good idea to frequently inspect the roof by climbing on top and walking around. While a homeowner’s intent is commendable, the consequence can be a roof that deteriorates too quickly.
- Accumulation of Water: Is there an indentation on the roof where water has accumulated? The first step is to discover the source of the water. The second step is to address the indentation of the roof to prevent further “ponding” of water in the future.
If you are about to purchase a home, congratulations! Be sure that you include a roof inspection and call us if you have any questions. Don’t hesitate to contact Letitia Hanke-Ryzhkov, CEO of Alternative Roofing Solutions, Inc. at 707-521-2104 or 415-459-7200, www.arsroofing.com.