Roofing Points to Look Out for When Buying a Home: The Ultimate Guide

Purchasing a new home is always an exciting time for any family, as it marks the beginning of a fresh new chapter in their lives. But for that chapter to start off on the right foot, first, you need to make sure that the home is move-in ready, which includes conducting a thorough inspection.

When looking for the perfect home, it’s not uncommon for most buyers to pay the most attention to its interior. After all, that’s where they’ll be spending the majority of their time. But this often leaves one very important feature neglected – the roof. 

While checking the state of the appliances, amenities, and furniture is very important, you have to make sure that the roof is in top shape as well. Your roof is what stands between you and the elements, ensuring your safety no matter the weather.

You want your roof to be solid, sturdy, and fully capable of holding up against the gusty winds and storms. So, with that in mind, here are the biggest factors to consider before finalizing the move into your dream home.

Ask About the Age of the Roof

There’s nothing to worry about if you find out that the roof is older but still in great shape. On the other hand, if the roof has been badly affected by age or perhaps suffered some type of damage over time, that may be a sign of concern.

But it doesn’t have to be the end of the road, though. If you believe that you’ve found the perfect house and you’re not ready to say goodbye to it, there are a couple of things you could do. 

You can, for example, negotiate a lower price due to the poor state of the roof and then have it replaced sometime down the road. The other option is to ask the current homeowners to have the roof replaced before you purchase the home. Both are great options worth considering, as they both mean you get your dream home after all.

Make Sure That There Is an Adequate Ventilation System

If you’ve found a great home with a solid, sturdy roof but a faulty ventilation system, it’s more than likely that you’ll be faced with an array of issues down the road. A quality ventilation system should be at the top of your priority list, as it will allow the air to circulate easily and naturally while keeping your home a pleasant place to live. 

This is something you should never compromise on, as inadequate ventilation will create a number of expensive issues down the line, such as the presence of moisture, the roof overheating, and possibly even deteriorating.

Inspect the Condition of the Drainage System

Downspouts, drainage pipes, and gutters are all part of the drainage system. You probably already know about the importance of gutters, which is all the more reason to check their overall condition.

Sometimes, all it takes for water to be able to run smoothly and away from your home is to simply clean the gutters. But if the gutters are damaged in any way and the problem is not addressed, this can create a lot of water damage on your rooftop that can spread to the home’s interior.

You should also take a look at the state of the drainage pipes. They are located under the roof, and they will tell you a lot about its overall condition. However, don’t try to do this yourself, but rather hire a licensed professional for your peace of mind.

Check for Any Breaks or Leaks

When buying a new house, the last thing you want is to find out it has leaks after having already bought it. Leaks can be extremely detrimental to the structure of a home and lead to many issues. This is why it’s important to have the entire roof professionally inspected for possible leak points.

Not only will leaks destroy your furniture, but they can also damage your walls. Sometimes, it can be very difficult to uncover the source of the leak, and this is where a professional comes in. They will be able to locate the source, nip the issue in the bud, and confirm that your new home is leak-free and ready for purchase.

Is There Any Mold?

Unfortunately for homeowners, you can find mold virtually anywhere around the home. It can be present between the walls, around your windows and pipes, sometimes even under the flooring.

Mold typically forms in areas abundant with moisture and it results directly from an inadequate ventilation system or water leakage. When you inspect the home, make sure that there is no mold on the rooftop or the attic, as that would be a very bad sign.

It will affect your home’s curb appeal, but worse off – it will create foul odors that will make living there next to impossible. To top it all off, exposure to mold is also known to lead to certain health issues. The best course of action? Call in a professional ASAP and let them take care of the issue or ask the home sellers to deal with it before the purchase.

What About the Condition of the Rooftop Downspouts?

And finally, the last point in your roofing checklist is the rooftop downspouts. You want to check their condition and make sure that they’re not letting any water out into the ground but rather in the soak wells, where water is supposed to go.

Also, try to find out if the home was recently faced with flooding or excessive water pooling in the downspouts. This will let you know whether the soak wells are in top shape or blocked and in need of cleaning, which can prove to be a bit pricey.

Are You Ready to Buy?

When on the market for a new home, it’s imperative not to let the attractive interior and exterior be the only deciding factors. Instead, look a little deeper and make sure that your new home is structurally secure and that the roof is sturdy enough to keep you safe against the unpredictable outside elements.

Luckily, with your leading roofing company Kissimmee in your corner, you won’t have anything to worry about. Our certified roofers are here to keep your roof in top condition, leaving no stone unturned. Get in touch with us for a free roof inspection, and we’ll make sure that your new home is move-in ready in no time.