When it comes to residential roofing in Marin County, there’s a lot to take in when looking for a new home. The roof is typically the most expensive area of any given home, but unfortunately, many people overlook it. Our team at ARS Roofing is going to go over a few things that can help you determine if the roof of your potential home needs a bit of maintenance and repair before you make any bad decisions.
First Determine the Roof’s Age
Before you do anything, you need to find out how old the roof is. Contact the previous owner and inquire about any repairs or replacements in the past. Most roofs last for between 15 and 20 years, with traditional shingle roofs lasting up to 20 years and wood shingle roofs up to 30. But if you live in an area with extreme weather, this lifespan can decrease.
Conduct a Visual Inspection
Keep an eye out for any abnormalities, which typically appear in areas of a roof with patches or regions that have missing shingles. Most defects indicate damage and even areas with new shingles could be hiding old shingles under them.
Explore the Attic
Attics can give you a great idea of the condition of a roof. Keep an eye out for signs of staining and warping – staining means that there was a prior leak in the area. In addition, you might find mold or mildew, which indicates moisture is getting into the attic and could affect the roof.
Others things to keep in mind:
- Most roof damage stems from a lack of maintenance
- Large amounts of moss or lichen is a sign of poor maintenance
- Home inspectors typically don’t inspect the roof – always request that they do so
Once you know what to look for, you can begin to bid and negotiate with the homeowner. Residential roofing in Marin County can be expensive, so any damages can be used to lower the price. And always remember: a new roof will increase your home’s value at resale, so take care of it. For more information or further questions, contact ARS Roofing today.