What To Look For In a Roof Before Buying a Home
So, if you’re having the roof inspected, what should you be looking for?
Here’s a list of what issues you want to avoid or have fixed before you finalize the sale of your Santa Monica, CA home.
Missing or Broken Shingles
This is an issue that you’ll be able to see from the ground, and it’s not the worst issue if it is caught quickly. If there are any tiles or shingles that are missing or broken, that means that they’re leaving the roof vulnerable to water damage. After every storm that comes through, homeowners should be checking the roof to ensure that all shingles are intact.
If there are any missing shingles, have them replaced before you buy the home. Top Roofing Inc. recommends that homeowners keep an extra box of shingles when they have their roof replaced, as then if a shingle goes missing, it’s easy to grab a replacement and fix the problem. If the current homeowners have done this, you’re in luck.
Blocked Gutters or Drains
This is another issue that can be fixed quickly before it causes any issues. Ask your roofer if there’s any debris sitting in the gutters. If there is, it’s a sign that water may be getting backed up out of the gutters, and getting into the roof. This causes problems over time as water isn’t being guided away from the roof itself.
It’s easy to pull the debris out with your hands to stop it from happening again, you can install a gutter guard to keep the debris out and the water flowing freely.
Water Stains
A sure sign there’s a leak somewhere in the house is a water stain. You’re most likely to find them on the ceilings in the upstairs rooms of the home.
Even if the current homeowner has tried to cover these up, there are ways of finding out if there has been a leak.
If there’s a smell of fresh paint, that’s a sure sign that the stains have been painted over.
You’ll also find out if there’s a leak when your roofer comes to inspect the roof. They’ll get into the attic to take a look at it, and they’ll soon see if there’s water coming through.
Roof Age
As well as you take care of your roof, at some point it will need to be replaced. An aging roof isn’t going to protect your home as well as a newer one, so at some point, you will need to replace it. The average roof will last up to 20 years, depending on the materials used to make the roof.
When you’re considering making an offer on a home, make sure you ask how old the roof is. The older it is, the more likely you’ll need to do repairs or replace it entirely.
Make sure you’re looking for these signs when looking at a particular home to buy in Santa Monica, CA. If you’re up to date on what to expect as a buyer, you’ll get a home with a roof that’s in good condition, ready for you to move in.
Need a roof inspection, roof repair, or roof placement in Los Angeles, CA? Contact Top Roofing Inc. to schedule an appointment.
