First Time Homebuyer's Guide To Roof Inspections

When buying any of the homes for sale, making the time and effort to inspect the

place properly will ensure that the purchase of your new home will be a wise investment. Since you will be making one of the biggest investments of your life, performing a preliminary inspection of the homes for sale that you are interested in will help you make the best choice. A common mistake first time home buyers make is to neglect checking the roof. If the roof and roof mounted structures need major repair, you may want to back out of the transaction because of the high cost of roof repair.

The book, "Home Inspection Checklists: 111 Illustrated Checklists and Worksheets", authored by Norman Becker, explains in detail how to go about the roof evaluation process. It is quite a simple process but it is a must to do for each of the homes for sale that you are considering. Taking the extra time and effort to properly inspect the roof will save you from a lot of woes if ever you decide to purchase any of the homes that you have visited.

The first thing you will need to do is conduct a simple visual inspection. Look for any areas of sagging, uneven or damaged sections of the roof from the outside. You will also need to pay attention to any overhanging trees or branches that may be touching the roof.

You have to be aware of the fact that if there is any kind of roof repair needed to be done, it can be rolled into your negotiation price, if the selling price has not yet been made lower because of it. If the roof is made out of asphalt shingles, take a closer look. See if any of these shingles are cracking, curling or will have to be replaced. Look also for any signs of erosion or deterioration. You also need to find out how old the shingles are so you will have an idea of when it would be need replacement.

If the home for sale has a flat roof, see if it is possible to access it safely and go up. Once you get on the roof, look for any signs of erosion, punctures, tears or cracks. See if there are any open joints and seams. If you notice puddles of water, it maybe an indication that the drainage system is not working properly. Even small cracks or fissures in the roof will signify that there is need for some repair work to be done.

When you're checking the inside of the roof, either in the attic or in rooms, look for signs of blistering and erosion on the ceilings. Water stains on the ceiling of upper level rooms are a clear indication that there is some damage to the exterior.

The final area of the roof inspection when buying a home is the chimney and other roof-mounted features. You need to make sure that these roof projections are not chipped, cracked or loose, and that the all joints are filled and secure. Look for deterioration of the chimney stack, the open joints and for any holes in and around the chimney. Most of these issues can be repaired, but you will need to get an estimate on the cost before you make an offer on the home.

Finding your dream home can be a lengthy process. Yet, keep in mind that the more information you have about the homes for sale that you are interested in, the data you have to make it easier to make the best decision in what to invest in. Doing roof inspections and and take the time to finding out more about the different homes for sale to see what will suit your needs and budget.

by: Benny Huyser

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