When buying your first home, you are likely excited to check out the gourmet kitchen, the large fenced yard, or the two car garage. But the roof may not get much of your attention.
However, the condition and age of the roof are details which should be very important to your decision making process. After all, the roof is the key structural element in protecting your new home and investment. Any roof which is nearing the end of its lifespan should be carefully checked as a part of your inspection process, and needed roof repairs or roof replacement are often negotiated as a part of the final selling price.
Roofing Guide & Checklist When Purchasing a New Home
- Financing for your New Home: If you are purchasing your new home with a new home loan, your lender will require that the roof is functional and sound. Although some lenders have special programs, generally speaking the home you are buying will need to have certification that there are several years of life left on the roof.
- Roof Age: If the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you can have a Venice area roofing contractor conduct a roof inspection to determine the years of usage left on the roof, and to determine what, if any, roof repairs can be made.
- Roof Condition: No matter the age of the roof, a roof inspection will determine if there are any necessary needed repairs for the roof. Some common roof repairs include cleaning or refastening gutters, replacing missing tiles or cracked shingles, or replacing rotted fascia or soffits.
- Clues in the Attic: If the attic space is accessible, be sure to check the framing and eaves for signs of water intrusion or past damage. If there are signs of water damage, ask the seller if the leak had been addressed and repaired. (Be sure to ask for documentation). If you cannot access the attic, look for signs of staining on ceilings, around skylights, or in the vicinity of fixtures.
- Trim the Trees: Although a shady lot is attractive, it is important to ensure that there are no low-hanging branches over the roof which may cause damage during storms or bad weather.
After You Move In
- Begin Budgeting for Your New Roof: If you purchased a home with a roof in its later stage of life, it is likely that you will need to replace the roof within several years. Begin saving up now, in order to be ready for the replacement when it is required. Important: Do not put off roof repair or replacement if you suspect a leak or other water intrusion. Water can cause devastating damage on the underside of your roof, attic, walls and framing. Much of this damage is out of sight, and can be a much bigger issue if left to fester.
- Inspect Your Roof Often: Especially if the roof was not new when you purchased your home, annual inspections (at a minimum) will allow you to stay on top of any progressive deterioration or erosion.
- Consider Insurance Savings: Even if a new roof was not required for your purchase, you may save money on insurance if you go ahead and replace an older roof. This also gives you the opportunity to maximize your energy savings with newer roofing materials and methods, and provides peace of mind for decades to come.
At [company_name], we understand that the purchase of a new home can be overwhelming. That is why we recommend that you leave your roof to us – whether you need an inspection, repair, or full roof replacement in the Venice area, we are the roofing professionals to call.
