You really want that house, don’t you? It has the perfect kitchen, you love the bedrooms, and not to mention the play area for the kids, and now you’re ready to make an offer.
As much as you love the house though, there’s a crucial aspect you should not forget: the roof.
The last thing you want is to purchase a seemingly perfect home, only to get stress and worry over all the hidden repairs you have to take care of. So along with everything else, you need a roof checklist as well.
You see, when selling a home, sellers use certain tricks to ‘wow’ buyers. It could be anything from a fresh coat of paint, a warm fire, luxurious looking furniture, and even freshly baked goods.
Read on to learn all about what should be on your roof checklist, and frankly, why you need one.
Why You Need a Roof Checklist
The roof is hands down one of the most expensive features of a house, which means along with the foundation and wiring of the house, you should inspect it thoroughly.
If you’re in love with the house and are ready to make a decision, hire a professional roofing contractor to conduct a professional roof inspection before you get to the negotiations.
In our guide, we have prepared a roof checklist of all the factors you need to consider about a roof before buying a home.
First Impressions: Visually Inspect the Roof Yourself
The first thing you should do is take a step back and inspect the roof yourself like you did the rest of the house. Note as much as you can do so, you can decide whether hiring a professional roof inspector will be worth it.
Do you notice missing shingles, curled edges, mold, or mildew? What are the visible signs of wear and tear? Do you see any dry rot or moss growing on the roof? How about sagging on one side, and in what condition are the gutters?
Some of these could be the signs of a bad roofing job, or you may be looking at an old roof.
If you can note some or all these signs from the ground, then you are probably looking at some major repairs or a complete roof replacement in the future.
Unless the house is cheap and your budget can afford you a new roof, then you need to step back and evaluate your options.
The Age of the Roof Is Relevant
Talking about old roofs, you need to inquire about the age of that roof. If you notice that you ticked off signs of a bad roofing job, such as worn-out spots and missing shingles or tiles on your roof checklist, you are most likely facing an old roof that may need work.
Of course, you should expect some wear and tear since you’re not buying a newly built house. You need to know how old it is, how well it has been maintained over the years, how long it’ll last before you need repair or a whole overhaul, and what type of roofing materials are used.
The lifespan of a roof highly depends on the roofing materials used. For instance, standard shingles will last about 15 years, high-end shingles could last about 25 years, and metal roofs could last as long as 50 years.
All this could also depend on where you live and the kind of weather the roof has to endure.
If possible, ask to get proof of when the roof was installed and negotiate the price of the home depending on the age of the roof.
If it has standard shingles and has already lasted 10 years or more, then you should get a great bargain price since you’ll need to replace it sooner rather than later.
How Good Is the Roof Ventilation?
Regardless of how the roof looks from the outside, there is so much more on the roof checklist you need to tick off. The ventilation mechanism is fundamental, so you need to check how well it’s maintained.
The problem with poor ventilation can lead to mold and high utility bills, so heat, air, and sunlight should be able to get in and out of the house easily.
How’s the Canal and Seepage System?
Inspecting seepage systems is not that easy as you need to climb on top. These include the gutters, downspouts, and drainage pipes.
This is the part that requires a professional inspector, or at the very least, a handy may who can access the roof without endangering their lives.
While checking the seepage system, you should also check asphalt shingle grains. These are responsible for protecting the roof from damaging sun beams.
Are There Leaks and Breaks?
Roof leaks are the single roofing problem you don’t want to deal with. A leaking roof will damage your walls, floors, furniture, and the overall structure of your home.
If you notice leaks, you’ll need to hire a professional roofing contractor to find and fix them.
Most often than not, they are located at the chimneys and valleys of the roof.
Rooftop creases may also cause leaks, and the inspector should do a thorough job.
Chances are if you find any mold or mildew, the ventilation system is bad, or the roof has leaking issues.
The problem with mold is that it not only looks bad, but it smells terrible and comes with certain health risks. Gaps in the roof should be inspected for mold, mildew, and leakage.
Does a Negative Inspection Mean You Should Not Purchase the House?
Once you’re done checking your roof checklist and have the report in hand, you should decide whether the results and price of the house align with your budget and personal goals.
Do some math to determine whether doing the repairs or replacement would be worth it, all other things about the home considered.
If the roof does have issues, you have several options. First, you can accept the house as it is and do the repairs yourself, or you can lower your price by the amount the repairs will cost.
If you don’t want to deal with a bad roofing job, you can just back out of the sale and continue your search for your next home.
Roof Checklist: Taking It Away
These are the most important factors that should be on your roof checklist when buying a home. Do a thorough job to ensure that you don’t have regrets later on.
If you really like the house, negotiate the price to a point where you can afford to repair or replace the roof.
Of course, there is so much more about the house that you need to check out. So schedule an inspection to get more information about the ultimate home inspection checklist.