What to Look for in a Roof When Buying a House
When buying a home, having a good roof is important. The roof provides defense against the outside elements such as rain, wind, snow, ice, and heat. Buying a home is already a big investment, but finding out you need a new roof and having to financially plan for that only a few years in can put a damper on your wallet as well as your sanity.
There is a difference between a high quality and durable roof and a low end, low quality roof. While price may not always be the exact teller of the quality of roof you have, lower end pricing can mean the roof may not be able to handle all the outside elements for long. There are many different types of roofing and within each type there are tiers of materials that can be used. Higher end materials hold up better to high winds and extreme elements as well as being more energy efficient which can also save you money in the long run. If you are considering buying a home and are looking at the roof, there are some things you should look for that may mean it will need replacing.
What to look for
- Shingle edges are curling up.
- Granules are missing. (Check the gutters for granule build up).
- Shingles are cracked and scuffed.
- The roof looks overall worn and tethered.
- Neighbors are getting new roofs. (Homes built around the same time and are exposed to the same type of elements probably mean your roof may also need to be replaced).
- Dark streaks on the roof. (Could be signs of airborne algae build up).
- Moss Build up. (Moss can hold moisture against the shingles and over time cause granule loss).
A good quality, durable roof enhances curb appeal as well as your homes overall total value. Make sure the investment you are about to make is a sound one!
