Buying a New Home? Double-Check the Roof First!
There’s no doubt that purchasing a new home in this competitive market is a challenging venture. But it is doable, especially if you have a good real estate agent. And buying a new home is exciting, too! It doesn’t matter if it’s your first home or your third; moving into a new place represents a fresh new start.
There’s a lot to consider when buying a new home. From securing your dream location to negotiating a fair (and winning) purchase price, there’s a lot to juggle. That said, it’s easy to get caught up in the emotional aspect of the purchase and lose sight of the rational decisions that must be made. This is especially true when it comes to inspections.
Conducting inspections before finalizing the purchase makes good financial sense. Home inspections allow you to get items fixed before inking the deal. They also give you an overall picture of what you’re walking into.
A Roof Inspection Makes Good Sense
Any reputable roofing company in Kansas City will recommend having a thorough roof inspection done before purchasing a new home. A roof inspection gives you a complete picture of the roof’s current condition. It also gives you an idea of its remaining lifespan.
Shamrock Roofing and Construction has worked on many roofs throughout the Kansas City area. Here are some of the most common issues unveiled during a routine inspection.
Materials That Are Past Warranty
The roof’s age provides plenty of great information and guidance for next steps. Every roof comes with an average life expectancy, depending on the materials used and the home’s location. Sometimes, older roofs are no longer under warranty, and homeowners are stuck paying for repairs (and a possible roof replacement) sooner than expected. You’ll want to visit with your realtor and a local roofer in Overland park, KS to determine if your new home’s roof falls into this category. If so, negotiating a lower purchase price may be an option.
Loose or Bent Flashing
Roof flashing is a common protective feature on most Kansas City roofs. Metal flashing is secured to the transitional portions of the roof to keep water out of seams and cracks. Often attached with a water-resistant seal, the protective nature of flashing may wane as the seals erode over time. When this happens, your roof is susceptible to a leak. In this situation, it may be time for roof repair in Kansas City.
Inadequate Ventilation
Adequate ventilation is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to curbing unwanted moisture. It’s also a safety metric, creating checks and balances on the air quality in your home. However, many of the older homes in Kansas City have outdated ventilation systems that create environments ripe for mold or mildew growth. Before moving forward with a purchase, hire a roofer in Overland park, KS to check your home’s ventilation status.
Poor Gutter Drainage
Gutters are one of the most critical features of an efficient roofing system. Gutters are designed to protect your roof from standing water. They’re capable of redirecting even the heaviest rainfall, but it’s a moot point with improper installation and maintenance. With this in mind, a gutter check should be a top priority for any aspiring homeowner.
Found the Home of Your Dreams? Call Shamrock Roofing!
If you’re in the market to purchase a new home, Shamrock Roofing and Construction can help ensure the roof is sound. We offer free roof inspections to area residents for just this purpose. We’ll provide detailed inspection reports that help you figure out next steps. And if you need roof repair in Kansas City, we can help with that too!
If you’ve found the home of your dreams, contact us to schedule a free roof inspection before going any further. You’ll rest easier knowing that you’ve covered all your bases!