Once you find your dream home, it’s only natural to want to close the deal and move in as soon as possible. However, more often than not, the houses in the market are not in the best condition as they seem.

Sometimes, you may not be seeing the complete picture. You might have missed the cracked foundation, the dangerous wiring, ancient plumbing, and other hidden defects that would cause you trouble in the future.

When you know the true scope of the structural damage or required repairs, you’ll have the leverage during negotiations. It can also help you determine if the house’s condition is too poor that walking away would be a better option. Either way, you wouldn’t be buying a property with massive hidden repair costs.

Home inspections can reveal these issues in your home, but it might need a separate roof inspection. The roof is one of the parts of the house that needs a thorough inspection. You don't want to miss anything, and that's why a checklist will ensure you leave no stone unturned.

Get All the Basic Information

An inspection couldn't begin without having prior knowledge about the structure. Before even doing anything, you should start asking simple questions about the roof. Find out the age, type, warranty (and if it will transfer to the new homeowner), and the person who installed the roof.

This information is necessary for documentation purposes; you need to get an insurance or warranty claim in the future. It will also help your inspector know whether the roof is functioning well for its age or it's wearing off at an unexpected rate.

Older roofs tend to more likely lead to a costly repair or an earlier replacement than you'd like. With problems like this, you can argue a reasonable decrease in the sale price or move on to the next home on your list.

Take a look at the Roof Surface

Even a glance over your roof can give you an idea of its current condition. Signs of damage may not be evident on most roofs. Still, it will be easily noticeable in a seriously damaged roof. Small areas of interest to take note of include the tiles and shingles. If shingles or tiles have been missing for a while, the roof may have sustained water damage.

Besides the missing shingles, look for any shingles with cracks or had come loose. You can also check for shingles that have curling at the edges. This is a sign that the shingles are almost at the end of their lifespan.

Check the Interior

While most roof damage is visible from the outside, it's essential to check the inside. Roof damage can ultimately affect a home's interior in the form of water stains, mold, rot, and other indicators of water damage. If the interior isn’t inspected, you could miss these warning signs of leaks and other structural damages.

As a first-time homebuyer, these are not the type of problems you want to encounter. Hence proper inspection is necessary.

Inspect The Seepage System

Another crucial aspect of doing a thorough roof inspection before buying a new home is checking the seepage system. This involves getting up on the roof and inspecting the gutters, downspouts, and drain pipes. Examining these areas can help you tell your roof's current condition. If any small pebbles or grains of asphalt are on the gutters, your roof may be getting old or falling apart.

Roof shingles are coated with these tiny grains. They are responsible for shielding the roof from the destructive UV rays. However, as a roof gets older, shingles will start to lose their protective layer as well. The roof will become more susceptible to damage and might need a replacement much sooner than you'd want.

You also need to check that the gutters and drainage systems are well-maintained and in good working order. If there are any problems, rainwater won't flow freely and accumulate in the gutters. This can seep into the roof, siding, or get into cracks which may cause some massive problems in the future.

Ensuring Proper Ventilation

One of the best ways to tell if the roof of the home you are considering purchasing is in good shape is to check the ventilation system's condition. A newly installed roof could still have issues down the road if it isn't properly ventilated.

A proper roof ventilation system needs to let in both sunlight and air. If air and light can't circulate freely, it can increase the chances of mold growth and water build up into your home.  The ventilation system also plays a significant role in regulating the temperature throughout the household.

If you aren’t confident to carry out a roof inspection yourself, home inspectors can look at your roof as they inspect the whole property. But while home inspectors have enough knowledge to point out potential problems, they're not roofing experts.

Hiring a professional roofer to conduct a separate roof inspection would be better to get an accurate and much more detailed assessment of your roof's condition.

Universal Contracting of Florida handles all types of roofing projects, from start to finish. Our team of professionals in Florida is equipped with the necessary experience and skills to ensure that every shingle to your roof will provide top performance and maximum protection. Visit our website or contact us at (866) 603- 4965 to learn more.