A regular home inspection will provide the a lot of valuable information about the property for potential buyers, but one thing that is often not included is a report on the roof. Getting a separate inspection from roofing contractors completed will help you to determine whether there are any problems with the roof that could affect the home soon or in the years to come. The following are some questions that a roof inspection can answer for you before you buy a home.
Does the roof need any repairs?
A roof inspector will get up on the roof of the home and look at various parts of the roof, such as drains, gutters, downspouts, flashing (around vents, chimneys, roof pipes, valleys, and HVAC unit mountings), drip edges, caps, ridges, and roofing materials. If anything should be repaired, the roofing inspector or their colleagues may be able to complete them. Do not hesitate to get a second opinion from a different company on whether the repairs are necessary, if you’re concerned there may be a conflict of interest.
How long is the roof expected to last?
Different types of roofs have varied expected lifespans. A roof made of tile can last up to 50 years, as long as significant weight has not been put on it (such as someone walking on the roof), while wood shakes roofs are more likely to require repairs if they are just 10 or more years old. That being said, the best way to determine how much longer the roof should last for you is to get an inspector up there.
Are there any aspects of the roof that could make repairs difficult or costly in the future?
A roof inspector will also determine how steep the roof is, which is also known as its pitch. A steeper roof could cost more to get repaired, should the need ever arise. A roof will be given a number to represent its pitch, with higher numbers being steeper. Typically the highest roof pitch you’ll find is 12.
Another factor that could impact future roof repairs is whether the the roof has multiple layers of shingles from a previous repair already. There may come a point when a roof with multiple layers will have to get replaced entirely, as some local laws can restrict the number of layers a roof can have.
If you are considering purchasing a house and the seller has not had a roof inspection completed already, definitely consider asking them to start the process–it will be worth the effort. Companies like Kanga Roofing can offer such a service.
