There are a number of specific components you may be thinking about if you’ve recently purchased a home and are assessing its quality, and one area that cannot be overlooked here is the roof. Even if you’ve been diligent in your purchasing process and have bought a home with a quality roof that’s relatively new, there will be a point at which you have to consider certain repairs or other fixes, and priming yourself for this ahead of time is valuable.
At The Roof Doctor, we’re happy to help. We assist any and all clients with their residential roofing needs of all shapes and sizes, whether you have specific and immediate roofing issues that need addressing or are simply looking for a long-term partner for roof inspections and care. What are a few simple tips we offer to new homeowners on how to assess and understand their new roofing setup? Here are a few valuable themes.
Pre-Purchase Roofing Considerations
Firstly, we also want to speak briefly to those who are still in the process of negotiating a home purchase. It’s so important that you do not overlook the roof during this time! If you’re working with a quality real estate agent, they will hopefully bring any big-ticket items to your attention.
But it’s always good to get a second opinion, and if you have any doubts whatsoever about the state of the roof, it is worth getting a roofing professional to take a look. This is a significant investment, and you want to be as confident as possible in every element of the purchase.
Take a Quick Look
When you’ve finalized your purchase and are moving into your new home, take a few minutes whenever it’s convenient to just walk around the property and check out the roof from different angles. It doesn’t have to be a comprehensive or exhaustive inspection, but getting a general sense of its condition and any potential problem areas is valuable.
Of course, if you see anything that looks like an immediate issue, don’t hesitate to give us a call right away! We’ll be happy to help. But as much as anything else, this is just an opportunity to familiarize yourself with one of the most important components of your new home. How does your roof slope? Where are the gutters and downspouts located? Just getting a general sense of these basic details is helpful.
Know Your Primary Roofing Material
Another big theme to consider is your primary roofing material, as this will obviously have a big impact on the care and maintenance required over time. At The Roof Doctor, we work with all sorts of common roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, metal roofs, tile roofs, and more.
Asphalt shingles are by far the most common, and they offer a number of advantages in terms of cost, installation, and repair. But every material has its own quirks and benefits, so it’s worth doing a bit of research on your specific setup. This will help you understand what to expect down the road.
If you can’t tell which roofing material you have, or if you have any questions whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask. We’re always happy to help new homeowners get a handle on their roofing situation.
Care for Your Gutters
While gutters are technically separate from your roof, there’s no question these components are closely related, and they work together to protect your home from water damage. As such, it’s important to make sure your gutters are in good condition and properly maintained.
The gutters should be cleared of any debris on a regular basis, and you also want to be on the lookout for any signs of sagging or other damage. These issues can often be addressed relatively easily, but it’s important to catch them early before they become bigger problems.
Check Interior Ceilings
Both during your initial walk-around inspection and on a regular basis thereafter, it’s also a good idea to take a quick look at the ceilings in your home for any signs of water damage. This can obviously be a sign that there’s an issue with your roof, but it can also indicate problems with your gutters or downspouts.
In any case, if you see any signs of water damage in your home, it’s important to call a professional right away to assess the situation and make any necessary repairs.
Monitor for Shingle Granules
If you have an asphalt shingle roof, another big theme to be aware of is shingle granules. These are the small pieces of stone or other material that make up the surface of the shingles, and over time, they can begin to degrade and fall off.
This is a normal part of the asphalt shingle roof lifecycle, but it’s important to keep an eye on granule loss to ensure it’s not happening at an accelerated rate. This could be a sign of a bigger problem, and it’s something we can help you assess and address.
Leave Repairs to the Pros
Whether immediately upon moving into your new home or at some point in the future, you may be tempted to take on roofing repairs yourself if you notice any issues. But as much as we understand the DIY impulse, this is almost always a bad idea.
Roofing repairs can be dangerous, and they often require specialized tools and materials. It’s almost always better to leave repairs to the professionals. Not only will this ensure the job is done right, but it will also help you avoid any potential accidents or injuries.
At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to help new homeowners with all their roofing needs, from inspections and repairs to maintenance and more. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
serve you well into the future.