What to Look For in a Roof Before Buying a Home

Buying a home is a huge milestone. Whether it’s your first home or not, there are always things that should be considered before taking that big step. Before purchasing a home, a roof inspection may be necessary, especially if it is an older home or it is a home that experiences a lot of rain, snow, hail, and other types of inclement weather. In this blog, we will discuss some of the main issues that you should avoid and/or have fixed before finalizing the purchase of a new home.

1. Missing or broken shingles

Missing or broken shingles can be seen without having to be on the roof. If caught early, it is often not the biggest problem. When there are missing or broken shingles on the roof, this leaves your roof susceptible to water damage. After a storm, it is imperative that homeowners check their roof for missing or broken shingles. Before buying a home, it is important to check to see if the shingles are still intact. However, if there are any missing or broken, be sure to have them replaced as soon as possible. Our team at Sierra Roofing & Solar recommends that all homeowners have an extra box of shingles in the event that the roof needs to be replaced, so it is easy to have the replacements on hand.

2. Gutter or drain blockage

Another factor that should be looked into is whether there is gutter or drain blockage. If caught early on, this issue can be fixed easily before causing further damage. During a roof inspection, it is important to ask the inspector if there is any debris in the gutter. Usually when there is debris in the gutter, it causes the gutters to get backed up with water, resulting in the water getting into the roof. It is simple to pull out any debris from the gutter if you are able to in order to avoid this type of problem from happening. It may also be a good idea to have a roofer install a gutter guard if gutter or drain blockages are recurring.

3. Water stains

Water stains are never a good sign, as it means that there is a leak in the house. Water stains can be found on the ceilings located in the upstairs rooms of a home. Sometimes a homeowner may try to cover water stains up with fresh paint, so it is best to consult with a roofing company so they can conduct a roof inspection and determine whether the roof is in good condition or not.

4. The age of the roof

Regardless of how well a roof is taken care of over the years, a roof replacement will be necessary at some point or another. This is because an aged roof will never be able to provide the same level of protection as a newer built home would. The average roof lasts about 20 years or so and this is usually dependent on the type of roofing materials used. Before purchasing a home, it is important to ask how old the roof is. The older a roof is, the sooner you will need to do repairs or completely replace it.

Contact Sierra Roofing and Solar

At Sierra Roofing and Solar, our team has extensive experience in providing the best roofing services in Oakland, Dublin, and surrounding areas. If you are in need of a trusted team to provide your home with a roof inspection, roof repair, or roof replacement, our team is here to help every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our roofing services in Dublin, Oakland, and beyond!