There are many factors to consider when moving into a new home, and one very important aspect is the state of the roof.
A properly maintained and well-designed roof can protect property for many years, however, poor installation can lead to serious problems with your roof that require you to seek out repairs and replacements much sooner than should be required. Replacing a roof is of course not cheap, so it pays to be vigilant when moving into a new home, so you know what to expect and what might need some attention.
Here are some pointers that you should be looking out for:
Get the roof inspected by local roofing professional straight away
It’s a good idea to get the roof checked over by a professional as soon as you can. They will know exactly what to look for and what could lead to a leaking roof. They’ll also be able to conduct the inspection safely as they’ll be used to navigating and making their way around many different types of roofs.
Although it will cost you to have someone inspect the roof, preventative roof maintenance is the best way to catch problems early, before they turn into a much bigger expense. A skilled roofing professional can often spot signs of damage before they happen and potentially save you a lot of money as roof leak repair can be a lot more expensive. They will be able to evaluate the roof for improper installation according to good roofing practice and industry standards. They will then survey the condition of the roof to determine what its condition is, the useful service life of the roof, and identify any repairs that need to be made.
Depending on when you’re moving into your property, inspections are most often carried out in the spring and fall. Once spring hits, a roof inspection becomes much easier after the winter rain, wind, and ice has passed and will be the likely time that roofs will show damage and wear and tear. Plus it’s a good time to remedy any problems before they get any worse.
It’s also wise to have your roof checked in early fall before the rain starts and to see if the sun has caused any materials to break down on your roof, causing them to lose their waterproofing properties – it happens to every roofing material, from wood shake to asphalt shingles. Taking care of problems like loose shingles and leaky areas before winter can also prevent more expensive repairs down the road.
Check the condition of your gutter system and see if it’s clogged or sagging
Even on the rainiest of days, your guttering should never sag. If you’ve noticed a dip or bend in your guttering, it is likely that there is a blockage that is adding extra weight and pressure on your gutters.
A blockage could be caused by a buildup of leaves or debris or even plants and nests in situ. It will be visible to the eye if there are any problems, such as overflowing water, animals, and birds in the gutter and misshapen and bulging pipes.
Do a quick check to see if there are any visible signs of damage
The top of your roof should follow a straight line along the ridge. If there is a saddleback or sag in the middle, it may be a warning sign of structural damage and might cause your roof to collapse if not detected and treated early.
Shingle curling is one of the most common signs of shingle wear and tear. When your roof shingles start to curl, it can mean that you need roof replacement soon. Curled shingles also become rigid and will eventually break sooner or later. Shingle curling may occur on both organic and fiberglass asphalt shingles.
Roofing sagging can be caused by frequent exposure to moisture and a vast amount of water, faulty roofing materials, improper installations despite high-quality roofing materials, and, for countries who experience winter or too much weight on the roof, snow and ice.
To prevent the chances of sagging, it’s important to clear your roof from rainwater, ensure that your roofing materials are of good quality, and were installed properly. You should also assess how much weight your roof can tolerate. If you feel like something is wrong with your roof upon inspection, then most likely, there is.
Check to see if there are mold or algae growth on the roof
Something else to check out for is moss and mold. If mold and moss have grown outside your roof, then tiles could force themselves apart, creating a gap that lets in water.
The roof will need to be checked to see if any tiles that show signs of rotting, moss or mildew. If these are left and not dealt with then bacteria and fungi can grow and cause water damage to your roof. If you find lots of problematic moldy areas, a roof replacement may be required.