A good roof is your home’s first line of defense against rain, wind, fire, hail, snow, and other natural hazards. A roof is the most exposed part of your building, and extreme weather patterns and other elements could lead to its deterioration, increasing the risk of damage to the contents below the roof.

What to Look For When Examining Your Roof?

It is essential to inspect your roof to identify problems that are likely to get worse over time. A hole on the roof could cause serious issues such as water stains in the ceiling eventually a leak in your home. Hiring a professional contractor who will thoroughly inspect your roof is a good move. He will identify problems that need to be fixed or give you the go-ahead to replace your roof entirely.

While inspecting a roof, the first place you should check is your attic. Use a flashlight to check for beams of light coming through the top of the house. Rays of lights, stains or streaks signify a leaky roof. Check your roof surface for trapped moisture, sagging spots or rotting boards paying details to the roofs lowest points. A sagging, droopy roof necessitates replacing before more damage happens to your home.

How old is your roof? The age of your roofing will give you an insight of how much life it has left. Different roofs have varied lifespan. Asphalt shingle roof, for instance, has a span of 20 to 25 years. If your roof exceeds its natural life, then it’s time to replace it.

Scrutinize your rooftop after a massive storm to make sure it’s in its original shape. If you find cracked patches, then a roof repair is necessary. Check your gutter for shingle granules, if your roof is losing a lot of granules, consider buying a new roof altogether. According to the International Building Code (IBC), roofs should serve to protect the building.

Check for unwanted houseplants. Moss, mold, and fungi in your roof mean there may be trapped moisture hence trouble for your roof. Use a stiff brush to get rid of unwanted plants, but look for ways to address the underlying problems.

If your house has an unexplained odor, this could be a sign of a roof leak. Other red flags include a pounding on the roof that leads to immature deterioration of the cover, ultimately leading to leaks. It can also lead to weakening roof deck due to the significant increase of weight on the roof.

What to Look for When Buying a Roof

Check for the age of the roof. At a distance, investigate if it’s mold-free and ensure the roof is perfectly flat without curly edges or bulges. Check out for worn out spots and confirm no shingles are missing. If you see any deformities on the roof, that’s a clear warning that the roof is old.

Cost of the roofing. Depending on the material, the price of a roof can range from being reasonably affordable to extremely expensive. Most popular roofing asphalt-fiberglass is among the least costly to install and to buy. It comes in different materials, namely, wood, shingles, clay, steel, to name a few. The price of a new roof can vary depending on the material and job complexity. Please visit website for more information on different roofing materials available.

Consider durability and longevity when buying a roof. The cost of material goes hand-in-hand with durability. Installing a roof itself is expensive so it will be worthy of your many if you buy a pricier roof that has a long lifespan. Scrutinize the warranty and pay attention to anything that could void the warranty.

A good roof boosts your home value. A potential buyer will probably assume that the rest of the house is in good shape based on well-maintained roofing. Even if you are not selling your home, a structurally sound roof means a more comfortable home.

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Clare Louise