Are you looking for a new home in the tri-county area? You have probably seen a dozen properties and toured many kitchens, baths, and bedrooms. While these are important spaces in a home that can make or break a sale, there is another key component that you may not have considered — the roofing system.  A new roof can be extremely expensive, and the last thing you want to do after buying a new home is getting a new roof installed.

Having a roof quality checklist in hand when you start shopping is crucial to saving you time, money, and headaches down the road. The experts at Williams Roofing have put together a roof quality checklist for you, so you can start looking for your new space as an educated and knowledgeable consumer. 

1. Roof Leak 

Let’s start with the basics. To avoid any problems down the line, inspect the roof for leaks. Look in the attic for dark stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking. These generally indicate water trails.  Look for signs of water around plumbing vent pipes and along chimneys, skylights and valleys.  If you find dark spots on the walls or ceilings, see if they are still wet or old.  If it is soft, it is a sign of rot.  If the wood is stained but dry and firm, it may be an old leak that has been repaired.

2. Damaged or Missing Roof Components 

When you are looking at a home, or if you are getting it inspected, there are a variety of indicators that a roof is in poor health. 

• Missing or damaged gutters
• Moss
• Colored grit in the gutters
• Discoloration
• Missing shingles
• Holes and other damage

3. Proper Ventilation

One of the best ways to tell if the roof on a home you are considering purchasing is in good shape is to look at whether it is properly ventilated. An ideal roof allows air to circulate through the attic. Roof ventilation both increases the life of the roof and keeps the inside of the house at a comfortable temperature. if it isn’t properly ventilated, you could have issues down the road. If air and light can’t circulate freely, your roof could allow water – and mold – into your home.

4. Age and Warranty

These are simple questions to ask the current homeowners: How old is the roof and does it have a warranty? Knowing when the roof was installed, by whom, and whether the warranty exists – and will it transfer to the new homeowner – are questions you should have answered before you buy. If the roof on the home you are looking for is older, that means you will likely be looking at a costly repair or replacement sooner than you’d like.

So, there you have it: The best way to ensure that your new home won’t have any roofing issues is to guarantee your roof health before purchase.  It is important to have a reputable roofing contractor inspect the roof to determine how safe your potential new home’s roof is, so you don’t have to worry about any future failures.  Don’t forget to check out our blog for tips and tricks for roof maintenance needs.