5 Things to Look For in a Roof When Buying a New Home

Home buying is a long process and the last thing you want to worry about is extensive roof damage before closing on your dream home.  The roof is one of the biggest investments you will make along with your home purchase so you will want to make sure the roof is in the best condition possible when making your purchase.  Your roof needs to fit your family’s personality but it should also be functional.

Lucky for you, your roof and ceiling are usually inspected before signing any finalizing paperwork.  And just to be sure, you can perform a quick walk-through inspection of your dream home that could save you a lot of stress and money down the road.

Here are the top 5 things to look for during your inspection:

1. Ventilation

It is important to make sure that your roof is properly maintained not only from the outside.  Ensuring that your roof has a proper ventilation system will help cut back on potential roof damage.

A proper ventilation system lets the right amount of air and sunlight in and allows hot air and heat to easily escape from inside of your home.  This constant air circulation will help to avoid potential mold.  A roof’s lifespan will be prolonged with a proper working ventilation system.

Be mindful of air ducts and the air circulation as you perform your home inspection walkthrough.  Because there are different types of roof ventilation systems, have a professional roof inspector explain the system in your dream home and learn how to best maintain the system.  

2. Leaks

Leaks are difficult to identify the source once they have started.  Leaking happens most often around the valleys and chimneys on roofs.  And intense summer storms can make leaks worse if they are not fixed.

Leaking can lead to interior home damage as well as compromise the home’s structural integrity.  Identifying where a leak begins can be hard but there are signs that you can look for a leak during your inspection.

The biggest clues that your roof has a leak is ceiling sagging in the upstairs rooms of the home and water stains on the ceilings and interior walls.  If you find any of these leak indicators or smell mildew, check for any softness and any other signs for mold. 

Even if it is your dream home, have a professional roof inspector check the severity of the leak.  Then with the help of professionals, you can have a better idea of how to move forward with your home buying process.

3. Mold

A home with poor ventilation and leaks is a recipe for mold growth.  Because mold grows in hot, moist climates, having a properly ventilated and dry roof are key.

Mold is not only a threat to your roof as it will weaken and deteriorate the structure but it also releases spores into the air and into your home.  Once a mold spore has landed on a damp spot, it can grow and cause roof materials to rot.

Mold can be easily spotted on the interior and exterior while inspecting your dream home.  If you do find mold, educate yourself on what kind of roofing material your dream home has to better know how to treat the mold.  Mold repairs are common and costly so be ready to repair the mold damage or invest in a new roof if you purchase the home.

4. Shingles 

Shingle damage is the easiest roof damage to identify.  Missing shingles can easily be spotted while inspecting the exterior of your dream home.

Shingle damage is more common on older roofs and roofs in climates with high heat in the summer followed by intense rainstorms and humidity.  Shingle damage includes shingles that are missing, broken, curled or cracked.  

If you notice any damages to the shingles, it is an indication that the roof is getting older and will need repairs soon.  Ask the home seller for the age of the roof and get an estimate for any potential repairs from a roofing inspector.

Tip:  If your roof needs to be repaired, request that the home seller cover the costs associated with the roof repair or replacement.  They may be willing to do so depending on how quickly they want to sell the home.  And if not, your real estate agent might be able to negotiate a lower home sale price for you.

5. Gutters

Making sure that your dream home’s gutters are in good shape is important to stopping any potential water damage, leaks and even mold.  

You can easily find broken gutters when walking around the exterior of the home.  And ask a roof inspector if there is any debris in the gutter.  This is an indication that the gutters are not draining properly and can oftentimes be quickly fixed.  

If you are ready to buy your dream home and need a professional roof assessment before anything is finalized, contact Norwest Roofing to schedule a roofing estimate.  We are ready to help provide peace of mind to Central Texas during your homebuying process.