New Home? Here’s A Checklist For Your New Roof

Buying a new home is almost equal parts terrifying and gratifying and for good reason. It is a massive investment; unless you are very well-off, your home will be the largest investment you will ever make. As such, it’s important that everything is as it should be before you sign on the dotted line. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss what to look for when inspecting a roof before you buy your home. Since a bad roof can be a huge expense, you should be aware of what you’re getting into. 

Hire A Neutral Roofing Company For An Inspection 

Alright, so our first tip for inspecting your roof is to not actually inspect your roof. The reason we would recommend hiring a company is that roofers have a keen eye for issues in a roof. They will be able to notice things that non-roofers would miss. 

In addition, some of the ways that a roof could be inspected involve actually climbing the roof itself. While some people are experienced with working with roofs, we generally do not recommend it. Not only could you injure yourself, but you could also cause more damage to the roof than was even there originally. 

Checking Your Exterior 

The easiest part of inspecting the roof is simply looking at it from the outside at ground level. This is the safest way that a homeowner can check their roof, and you’d be surprised what can be learned with a careful glance. 

The cues for what to look for differs based on the type of roof that the home has. For example, a normal asphalt shingle roof may have visible hail damage or torn shingles, while a metal roof may have dents, dings, or even punctures. 

Inspection From The Crawl Space/Attic

The next step you should take when inspecting a roof is checking the underbelly of it. You can do this by accessing the crawl space or attic underneath the roof to get to this area. 

Once you access this area, there will be a number of signs to look for that may tip you off that something is amiss. Some of the most common issues you can notice from there include water stains/damage, mold, holes in the ceiling/roof, and more. 

You should always stay alert and aware when accessing these spaces, especially if you don’t go up there very often. However, this is an excellent way to check your potential new roof without actually traversing the roof. 

Look For Damage With A Drone

Since we’re in the 21st century, why not inspect your new home’s roof with technology and finesse. Drones are a fantastic way to get a detailed look at your roof without ever grabbing a ladder. 

With a drone, you can look for holes, dings, tears, or other deformities that may make you second guess your purchase of the home. 

It should go without saying, but only attempt to use a drone if you are skilled at flying one and know what to look for that particular roof. Crashing a drone onto a roof is embarrassing and may cause the very damage you were looking for in the first place! 

Don’t Forget The Gutters!

Too often, gutters are forgotten when laypeople inspect a home and its roof. But your gutters not only help your roof function properly, but they can show signs that the roof may have issues. 

If your gutter is rusty or loose, it could make your roof less efficient and cause water damage to the roof. By checking the gutters, you can get an even better sense of the health of the roof. 

However, a rusty gutter does not necessarily have to be a deal-breaker. Usually, fixing a gutter is a simple easy fix. With this knowledge, you can make a more informed decision on your home purchase. 

Seriously, Hire A Professional

We know we’re cheating by having this as the first and sixth tip, but it’s truly that important. Missing even one sign of a bad roof could lead to a whole host of issues that break your wallet. 

We highly recommend that you hire a professional roofing company. The expense of a roof inspection will pale in comparison to any potential repairs or replacements that you may need from mismanagement. 

Trust Escandon Roofing For All Of Your Roofing Needs!

Looking for a professional team to inspect, repair, or even replace your current roof? Escandon Roofing has spent years catering to the needs of families and companies across the El Paso area. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!