What You Should Know About the Roof Before Buying a Home

Some important factors add up to the quality of the roof. Not only the type of materials used but also the workmanship. Even after years, evidence of top-quality work can be seen. However, there is a huge difference in quality between inexpensive 3-tab shingles and thicker, more durable architectural or dimensional shingles. Architectural shingles are much more sturdy and last longer when subjected to difficult weather conditions. At the end of the day, 3-tab shingles need to be replaced more often than premium shingles.

There are many signs of wear that you can see from the ground. Note that we never recommend getting on a roof yourself. Some signs of wear that are warnings include:

• Any sightings of individual shingles cracking, curling, peeling, shrinking, or otherwise becoming worn
• Granules in gutters or bald spots on shingles that let in UV light, deteriorating the asphalt
• Cracked caulk or rust spots on the flashing, gutters, and downspouts
• Cracked and worn rubber seals, also called “boots,” around vent pipes

Regardless of whether it looks to be in great shape,  if the roof ventilation system isn’t appropriate, you can face huge issues down the road. A proper ventilation system that lets sunlight and air come in easily is critical. Additionally, the ventilation system gets the hot air and heat out of the house easily. These requirements are important for the life of the roof. If you discover issues from poor ventilation, you’ll want to have these problems addressed.

Inspecting the canals and seepage systems requires getting on the roof and inspecting the roof’s condition. The seepage system is comprised of downspouts, gutters, and drainage pipes. We recommend you hire an expert for this. When checking the gutters, attention should be paid to asphalt shingle grains. When the small grains that coat the shingles are falling off, it means that the shingles aren’t being protected from the destructive sun rays.

When your roof is leaking, you probably experience damage to the interior of your home. The ceiling, the walls, your furniture, the carpet, the wooden floors, and the list goes on. It can be difficult to find the source of the leak because it is not always where it seems it should be. Most of the time leakage occurs in valleys, plumbing vents, chimneys, and skylights. Be sure to have the rooftop inspected for leak points before you buy it.

When there is moisture in dark places that aren’t well-ventilated, mold grows. Mold is a fungus that can be dark, white, green, or black. Some molds are easily seen while others are hidden. Mold can form between walls, under floors, on the roof, and in less visible spots, wherever materials are drenched in water. A moldy rooftop is a direct result of water intrusion. Sometimes the molded area is fixed but the source is overlooked. When this happens, the mold returns to the same spot because the source of the water is still there. Many roofing professionals use an infrared camera to pinpoint the leak.