Any individual looking to sell or buy a home needs to have a home roof inspection performed on the house. By law, the seller will be obligated to disclose the condition of the roof when selling a home. However, without a thorough inspection the condition of the roof might appear all right, even when it is not.
It is highly recommended that the roof be fully inspected at least twice every year. Unless the homeowner has prior experience inspecting roofs, it is a job best left to a professional. There are three key components of a home roof inspection by a licensed professional that include:
- The Roof’s Life Expectancy – Once a roof inspector has performed their duties, they can determine the remaining life expectancy of the roof.
- A Disclosure of All Necessary Repairs – The roofing inspector will be able to determine the estimated cost of all repairs that need to be performed to ensure it protects the home from wind, rain and snow.
- A Certificate – Once the home inspection is done, the inspector will provide a certificate that details all the current conditions of the existing roof structure.
Searching for Potential Problems
Using a ladder, the roofing inspector will make their way to the roof and inspect the area for any obvious, and not so obvious, problems. The inspection will include an evaluation of drip edges, drains, downspouts, gutters, caps and ridges. A full inspection will be made on the roofing material whether it be asphalt, clay, concrete, synthetics, metal or other.
The inspection will also include a detailed analysis of the flashing that surrounds the vents, chimneys and pipes. Any condition that does not meet industry standards will need to be repaired or replaced.
Repairing or Replacing
Buyers should be aware of the type of roofing materials on the structure along with the amount of maintenance that will be required for its upkeep. Traditional roofing materials include wood shakes, concrete or clay tiles, composition shingles, metal, steel, and slate, along with tar and gravel. The wood shake roofing material is an historically high maintenance material. Alternatively, roofs that are tiled tend to last up to five decades without the need of repair. Asphalt shingling usually has a lifespan of between 15 and 25 years. They all have a specific need for routine maintenance. Although some roofs, like those made from metal, require only minimal maintenance.
If the home’s roof needs to be repaired or replaced before selling or buying the structure, it is important to have it done properly. Typically, this requires the skills of a licensed professional roofing contractor. He or she will have all the necessary tools and equipment to perform the job correctly. It is always wise that the seller or buyer discuss repair options with the contractor, to bring the roof back to as new a condition as possible, to ensure its longevity.
As one of the largest components of a home, a roof plays a crucial role in safeguarding the house against the elements. It must be properly maintained at all times to eliminate the risk of leaking which could cause significant damage to the interior of the house.