Reasons to Have a Roof Inspection Prior to Buying a Home

All new homeowners have been there – a gush of adrenaline takes control over our body and
cognitive functions as we approach what might be our new forever home: “Oh, a craftsman; I’ve
always wanted one. This is heaven!” And, for that brief moment, it sure is.

We get carried away while taking the tour around the house, imagining ourselves, our kids running around – oh, and that backyard! Before you know it, you’re signing the papers, just good, old, happy thoughts.

Shortly after, the reality usually rears its ugly head only to find us unprepared. To avoid getting a restraining order against reality, let’s take a look at why it might be a good idea to consider a roof
inspection prior to buying a home.

What you see is what you get – or is it?

Do you enjoy overpaying? Neither do we. What may seem at first glance as a mint-condition house could, in fact, turn out to be a huge hit – and miss. Having your roof inspected by professionals prior to buying your home leaves room for negotiating and lowering the property’s asking price.

We all know what makes a good quality home – strong foundations and a roof that can stand the
test of time. The last thing we want is to be caught off-guard and have to deal with home roof
repairs the moment we start unpacking the boxes.

New house VS. old house; does it make a difference?

This may come as a surprise (like rain straight through a new roof), but signing the papers for a
brand new, turnkey home doesn’t guarantee a carefree living.

Due to multiple engaging subcontractors during the building process, it is highly likely your new home can fall victim to some discrepancies, including your roof.

Older houses also have quirky roof issues, even though they may appear pristine. Where the roof leaks usually occur:

● roof valleys
● broken shingles
● chimneys
● roof vents
● ice dams
● gutters
● skylights
We all know the old saying – better a roof inspection than sorry.

Hail (damage) Mary

Unless you’re considering buying a house deep in the Sahara Desert, hailstorms are a nemesis. A
single hail storm can easily crack wood shakes, cause granule loss in shingles, and dent your
gutters.

The damage may not be evident, but even the tiniest cracks expose the shingles to
weather conditions, resulting in accelerated material.

You probably won’t have the time to pop by the local weather station and ask for weather history
reports to ensure your new home hasn’t been subject to hail storms or any other hazardous
weather. Thus, knowing the potential flaws in your roof can save you time and money when it
comes to hail damage.

Roof damage control

“A sparrow in hand is better than a pigeon on the roof,” they say. And rightly so. As funny as it
may sound, pigeon droppings are dangerously acidic and may cause significant damage to your
roof tiles, ensuring corrosion of any tar-based materials, even concrete. (Edgar Allan Poe, you
say ravens are daunting?)

This is no poetry club, so back to the important stuff. A single roof inspection prior to buying a home can put your mind at ease and leave necessary room for other emergencies. If you address your wandering shingles, overflowing gutters, or suspicious chimney stains before your move-in date, your peace will be guaranteed for years to come. If handled by trusted professionals, that is. Don’t wait. Fixing simple roof issues will not cost you a great deal of money; leaving it be will.

Why do roof inspections need to be done by professionals?

There’s no mystery here. The answer is straightforward. Home inspectors do a great job overall.
it’s indisputable. But the blind-spot there seems to be the multitude of given tasks. Yes, a home
inspector might look at your roof, but not in detail. Not under scrutiny. Your electrical systems
need to be checked, your plumbing, and HVAC; the list is fierce and embodies ADHD.

Having a professional roof inspection prior to buying a home is the safest way to go.

Saying “NO” to surprises

Moving to a new home takes some courage and lots and lots of planning. It’s no easy-breezy
business. If you have already embarked on this journey, you know exactly what it takes.

A long-distance move from one part of Minnesota to another is just dipping a toe in the water; when coming from far away, it is essential to keep your to-do list in check before your move-in date to secure a smooth transition for you and your loved ones. 

Most of us like handling things on our own, but it is always wiser to leave things to professionals when entering unfamiliar ground when it comes to clean slates in life. We can’t dip our toes into the ground, can we now?

The unforeseen

Hailstorms? Check. Pigeon poop? Check. Roofs have their fair share of enemies, be it wind,
snow, rain, or even attic humidity levels; they can all significantly impact your new roof’s health.
Let’s not forget termites. If you are experiencing any roof damage but cannot fix it promptly, hire
a professional for roof tarping, as it could put your safety at risk if you were to DIY it. It’s not
worth the money.

Having a roof over your head

Any person having one should be grateful.

Mishaps occur, bad weather happens, birds exist. We all dread roof restorations as they can prove to be a wild card, be it commercial restorations or residential ones. It can be costly and time-consuming. Just follow that one golden rule: schedule a roof inspection prior to buying a home, and the skies will be blue for a long, long time. Guaranteed.