Blessed be thy roof!
It keeps us from getting wet when it rains, provides us protection from insects and bird excrement, and insulates our home from noise and light coming from outside.
That is… if you don’t have an old leaking roof in need of repair.
A home is only as strong as its roof, so if a home buyer looks at a roof that suffered hail damage and needs repair, it’s a given that the fair market value of the house will drop. Not only an actual leaking roof; even if it’s perfectly functioning but looks old or outdated, chances are that you will not get what you want. We do know that affordable roofing is somewhat of an unreal concept, but hey: the fact of the matter is that you can’t escape from it. A good real estate agent will ask for a house inspection, and a leaking roof detection or hail damage to the roof will set out alarms for the home buyer who will lose excitement for the home. Even if you lower your asking price to make it attractive to the home buyer, they will have to waste time fixing it all, not to mention that the more roof damage there is, the more you will pay for roof insurance, and there goes affordable roofing for you.
With that in mind, our team at RealEstateAgent.com decided to list some of the warning signs of roof disrepair so you can prevent problems from becoming too big and act on them while they are still somewhere close to the affordable roofing realm. Below you will find some measures that might help you prevent damage from hail, hurricanes, or other Acts of God. If the roof damage is too extensive already, we first hope you had roof insurance before, and, second, we hope you can at least have some temporary roof repair and, then, get professionals for a complete redo. You could even look into the latest solar roof technologies if the roof is in a state that requires a complete replacement. We mention the complete replacement because the cost for a solar roof is close to that of a new roof, but the benefit is solar energy, and that isn’t a small thing in today’s market.
So, if you’re planning to list your home on the market or are simply interested in ways that can help maintain your roof in top condition, we’ve got your back. Here are some warning signs of roof disrepair.
The roof is too old
If your roof is older than your longest living pet – except if you had a turtle or a parrot, because those live for 80+ years – it will most likely need repair. Whether you know when the last time your roof was serviced or not, consider that any roof older than ten years is typically in need of an inspection, repairs, or, worst-case scenario, a replacement. Just think of how much rain, snow (when applicable), and hail damage it was exposed to! Experts recommend ensuring that any previously layered shingles or other roofing material be removed to make sure proper ventilation and insulation are still enforced.
Contact a roofing company or an expert to ensure that your roof isn’t too old, especially if you are unsure when someone did the last repair on it. Having them climb up there, inspect your attic, and make sure that there are no leaks can also result in you having an expert assessment telling you that the roof will be good for many more years. There are roofing products that offer up to 30 years of use. However, any damages can be fixed easier the sooner they are discovered.
Shingles look beaten
A simple visual inspection can help determine if the shingles on your roof need replacing. In some cases, replacing the entire roof is necessary when cracking and disintegration become apparent or when some of the shingles are no longer attached to the roof due to rain or hail damage. This can be especially difficult to access in the area known as “roof valleys” – those V-shaped intersections between two sections of the roof – due to their consistent abuse by debris and water.
Another sign of shingle degeneration is the presence of shingle granules mixed in with gutter debris or if you see shingles that are curling up. If shingles curl up, it can mean that the underlayment of your roof might be damaged. This tends to happen as a roof is nearing the end of its lifespan but can happen as soon as your next big storm. So if you live in one of the worst cities for natural disasters, with a lot of tornadoes, hurricanes, or just a lot of constant rain, try checking at least once every six months for minor hail damages to your shingles. Replacing 3 or 4 sometimes is much easier and less expensive than the whole thing. Plus, as we said, aesthetics are important. Sometimes there are no structural problems, no leaking roof, but the sun and the hail somehow damaged the shingles’ appearance. Replacing a few might make the roof as a whole look new and raise the fair market price of the house in the process.
However, if you notice leaks or holes in the roof, contact a roofing company as soon as possible. Stopping any potential water damage is vital not only for the cost that can come from repair but also for potential damage to the home’s structure and any items you have inside. By asking a professional to check for holes and fix them without actually changing your whole roof, it will ensure that you are ready for future storms or other disrupting weather conditions.
The chimney is not working as it once was
If your home has a chimney, be sure to take a look at it with a flashing light to determine its condition. Chances are, if the house is older, it will need to be adapted with a metal, water-tight flashing system. This one is not only important to make sure that water is not leaking, but to make sure Santa Claus can slide from it easily, right?
The Roof has Sagging in some Areas
By taking a few steps back from your home, you can look up at the roof and see if it follows straight lines. This is easily visible even if you don’t have the expertise of a professional. Even if your roof has a curbed aspect, you can still tell with ease if areas are sagging. It might be a curb against the original curb or an area where it dips lower than others. A sagging roof can be a serious reason for concern. It indicates that your roof needs a serious repair and that your home’s structure might be affected, even the foundation. In case you notice curbs, waves, or any dips in the overall appearance of your roof, you should contact a roofing company for repairs and expect a high fee. There’s no way around it. That roof might need a complete replacement.
If you try to sell a home with a sagging roof, a simple inspection will strongly affect the home’s resale value as nobody wants to buy a home that comes with the potential to collapse. If this type of damage is not addressed, it will ensure further damage to your roof like water infiltration, water pooling, more sagging, and, eventually, collapse.
Sounds in the attic
Sometimes the leaking roof is not on the outside but the “inside”. If you hear strange noises, it might be from animals like squirrels and rats. Other garden pests on your lawn can find a way in and chew the roof from the inside, damaging the structure as a whole, opening a path for water and hail damage to complete the work, and badly destroying your attic. While you’re at it make out a plan once your roof is in top shape and nurture the attic’s full potential. So, climb into the home’s attic and inspect the roof as best as possible without endangering anyone’s safety. If sunlight is visible through any of the rafters, there’s the entryway to your leaking roof! The roof needs to be replaced ASAP.
Conclusion
If the threat of animal infestation or water damage caused by a leaking roof isn’t enough to get a homeowner into the attic or atop the roof – or sometimes it’s not a matter of trying affordable roofing; you just can’t do it yourself because of back pain and elder age – call a professional. Have this kind of inspection performed before listing the property on the market. Don’t try to hide the problems. Believe us; this will backfire on you. Get ahead of it, actually! Selecting a home inspector to study all the hail damages to the roof and your house’s structure as a whole is a smart idea so you can see how far you are from getting the best offer you can.
Make sure you enjoy the best level of performance from your roof and, while investing in repairs might be costly, a structurally sound roof gives a safe home for everyone that lives there. Making sure that your roof is in the best condition possible, or at least that and damages are fixed, will increase your quality of life. Not to mention that you will also get rid of the sounds coming from your attic that make your children believe that there is a ghost up there, when in fact, it’s just a beam creaking.
Let us know in the comments below if there is anything we might have missed regarding roof disrepair situations. Many things can affect the structural integrity of your roof. While we focused on the main concerns encountered, we can help you with more information about particular cases. Like & Share this article with people who might find it helpful. The last thing we want is for people to overlook the structural integrity of their roof and only think about acting when it’s too late. A problem fixed as soon as it is discovered is the best way to go.
