As a new homeowner, one of the last things you think about is your roof. Most of the time, you may think about it only when you notice a problem. However, you must be aware of common roof problems and how to be prepared for them when you purchase a house. Alfred’s Roofing, a professional roofing company in Battleground, WA, lists five important things every homeowner should know about roofing.
The Roof Won’t Live Forever
While it would be nice if your roof lasted forever, it won’t. Most asphalt roofs need to be replaced at least once every 15-20 years if installed correctly and maintained regularly. If there was any issue with installation or improper maintenance, then this timeframe could be smaller. You must know how old your roof is when you purchase the house so you can plan for repairs or replacements.
Your Gutters Should Be Regularly Cleaned
Clogged gutters can permanently damage your roof and your home’s foundation. Your clogged gutters will stop the free flow of water in case of a rainstorm. This water will then get collected on the roof and form a pool below the shingles, causing leaks. Hence, you must get your gutters cleaned regularly to promote the easy flow of water.
Leaks in Your Roofs May Not Be Always Obvious
Most of the time, you know you have a leaky roof when water starts dripping or pouring into your home. However, not all leaks are so obvious. You must watch for signs like a paint bubble on the ceiling or mild wall discoloration. These signs could indicate a hidden leak somewhere in your roof.
All Roofing Materials Are Not the Same
As a new homeowner, you may not know about different roofing materials. Each material could be affected by different issues and require different types of repair and maintenance. Learning about different roofing materials can help you identify problems and get them repaired quickly.
Don’t Try to Repair Your Roof Yourself
While it could be tempting to repair roof problems yourself, trying to do so could be dangerous. In addition, if you don’t understand the issue correctly, you could do more damage. Hence, you must contact professional roofers like Alfred’s Roofing to take care of any problems in your roof. They can help you with roof inspections, repairs, replacements, and new roof constructions.
How to Prevent Problems in Your Roof
While problems with roofs are common, and you will experience them when you begin living in your new home, there are many ways you can avoid or delay them as new homeowners. Below are a few ways to ensure you don’t face any major issues with your roofing after purchasing a house:
- Inspections are Important
A roof inspection is a critical step that most new homeowners ignore. However, the importance of a thorough roof inspection cannot be overemphasized. Roof inspections are required both before and after you buy the house. You cannot just blindly believe the previous owner when they say the roof is in good condition. Roofs can develop small issues that can lead to major problems in the future if ignored. Most of the time, an untrained eye may not even spot these issues. A professional roof inspector will identify any underlying problems in the roof before they become worse. You can then tell the seller to fix these problems before you buy the house.
- It is Vital to Study the Inspection Report
Many new homeowners get a roof inspection but don’t read the report. They are so excited about buying a new home that they forget about it. This could cost you a lot once you purchase the house. Ensure you get a copy of the inspection report and thoroughly review it. You can show the report to a roofing professional to see if there are any problems with the roof. The professional can also tell you how long your roof may last before you have to replace it. They will also explain any issues with your roof and how to get them fixed.
Documentation is Necessary
Before purchasing the house, speak to the seller about any important documentation, like warranties. You must have all the necessary warranties and other documents to claim a warranty in case of any problems after making the purchase. Going through the documents will tell you how long the warranty is valid for and what is the roof’s expected lifespan.
Buying a new house is always exciting. But we often tend to ignore the important things in the excitement. Roof health is one such thing. Finding problems in your roof after you move into your new home can be frustrating. That is why you must have your roof inspected by professionals who are aware of common roof problems before purchasing a new home.
