Searching for the perfect home is an enormous endeavor that can feel exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. A home inspection is a crucial element for homebuyers; Opendoor describes the process as “an opportunity for you to hire an expert to walk through the home and prepare a report that outlines the home’s major components, their current condition, what needs immediate attention and what will require maintenance after you move in.” While home inspections are well-known, roof inspections don’t receive the same buzz. In today’s post, we’re covering roof inspection basics. Putting one in place can save you heartache and dollars in the future.
Aren’t Roof Inspections Standard?
Many are under the impression that a thorough roof inspection is a given under the home inspection umbrella. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In a recent article on Realtor.com, Lisa Gordon discusses areas your home inspector may be missing. As for roof inspections, she reports: “Home inspectors will gamely climb onto your roof and check for missing or warped shingles and make sure flashing and gutters are in good shape.” Gordon cautions homebuyers about a handful of scenarios in which a roof inspection may be lacking or skipped altogether:
- When your roof is three stories tall or otherwise deemed “too high”
- When your roof is “too steep”
- When it’s raining
What’s At Stake
Angie’s List estimates the cost of a roof replacement will range from $4,900 to $14,100, but keep in mind there are several factors at play here and the costs could go up significantly from there (they cite size, pitch, accessibility and cost of materials). With this in mind, hiring a roof inspector proves to be a worthwhile investment.
What Does a Roof Inspection Entail?
In an article for Bob Vila, Glenda Taylor breaks a roof inspection down into four parts:
- Structure
- Materials
- Interiors
- Workmanship
Structurally, red flags on Taylor’s radar include “uneven roof planes and signs of sagging.” Other areas on the list are the soffit, fascia, and gutter system as well as masonry chimneys and chimney caps. Also critical: proper venting in the attic and signs of moisture. As for materials, your inspector will be on the hunt for “loose, missing, or curling shingles; stains; moss; rust; and missing flashing or fasteners.” Shingle aggregate in roof valleys is a telltale sign of issues. Scanning a home’s interiors for possible water damage from the roof and ensuring professional quality went into every step of the roofing process make for a thorough inspection.
What If There’s Damage?
If the results of your roof inspection aren’t positive, walking away isn’t the only option. We recommend digging into this article from Realtor.com to weigh next steps.
Make sure you partner with the best roofing company in your area. Bone Dry Roofing, locally owned and operated in Charleston, SC, Bone Dry Roofing, locally owned and operated in St. Simons, Bone Dry Roofing, locally owned and operated in Athens, GA. You can contact us today to discuss your roofing needs at 1-855-BONEDRY.
