Speak to any Houston roofing contractor, and they will tell you that your roof is one of the most important aspects of a home.

Why?

That’s because your roof stands tall between your interior space and the outside world. When in good shape, it serves as a barrier against forces of wind, hail, storm, branches, and debris.

Your roof needs to be strong to prevent your home from getting leaks, developing mold and mildew, and not causing other parts of the house to collapse.

So, when deciding on buying a new home, get the roof thoroughly inspected.

Roof Inspections For A New Home

Visual Inspections

Make preliminary inspections and visual checks about the condition of the roof. Check if there are any glaring warning signs such as missing shingles, curled edges, peeling paint, or worn spots.

Secondly, go around the house looking under the roof for damaged or chipping flashing, dirt, or stains. If you see any, be warned: these could have already damaged the interior of the home, not just the exterior.

“While some mold types are mild, some others are severe and rotten.”

Mold Detection

One key point to note here is that while some mold types are visible, others form in less visible spaces. For instance, you can find it beneath the floorboards, in the wall corners, or on the underside of the roof and ceiling. Mold is a kind of fungus, which ranges in color from dark green to white to black.

Leaky Roof - Residential Roofing

The leading causes of mold growth are water-drenched roof materials and weak ventilation systems. Mold can contaminate the inner walls, peel the paint of the house, or lead to severe health risks like respiratory problems. For this reason, Houston roofing contractors suggest fixing the source of the leaks before water intrusion becomes inevitable.

Ventilation System

A sturdy and shiny rooftop for your new home doesn’t necessarily mean that it has a proper ventilation mechanism. Home ventilation systems allow fresh air circulation, let sunlight in, and bring down your energy bills.

Without appropriate ventilation, you could face huge issues like the formation of mold and roof deterioration. It could eventually result in roof warping, too.

“You could face huge issues like the formation of mold and roof deterioration without proper ventilation.”

Breaks And Leaks

A leaking roof brings a lot of distress to the residents of the home. On the exterior, leaks damage the walls and paint. When the water falls through the roof, over time it can destroy the furniture, too.

Leaks mostly occur in the valleys, roof seams, plumbing vents, and near the chimneys. Usually, homeowners get roof inspections after heavy rains or storms. So, when you are buying a new home, get the best Houston roofing contractor to check for possible leaks.

Residential Roofing Buying A New Home

Gutters And Drainage

As mentioned above, leaks and mold are mostly the result of an improper drainage system. A sound drainage system has well-functioning gutters, drainage pipes, and downspouts. Perform a quick check to ensure that the downspouts release the water into the stormwater wells using a sump pump. Hire a licensed contractor to check the downspouts an at least twice a year in the fall and before the spring.

Another critical thing to verify is that the shingles are in place. Otherwise, they may cause bad leaks, structural damage, and destroy the roof framing. Additionally, check the shingle grains for signs of damage like curling shingles, missing granules, or blistering. Hire the professionals for a proper inspection to make sure shingles are protected from the sun’s rays.

Check out the credentials of the roofing contractor of the home.

Roof History And Quality Check

Learn about the age and condition of the roof in your potential new home. Ask the seller or your realtor these questions:

  • How old is the roof?
  • What type of roof is it?
  • Has it seen damage in the past?
  • When was the last time that the roof got replaced?

Depending on the roof type, materials used, and the maintenance received, your new roof can last for up to 30 years. However, a shoddy installation or usage of poor-quality materials mean that you might have to face roof replacement costs sooner rather than later. Ask the current homeowner which contractor they used and gauge the quality of the roof.

Houston House Roofing Services

Hire Expert Houston Roofing Contractors at Guardian Roofing Today!

While buying a new home, you need to look into the roof details. Hire an expert Houston roofing company to inspect the roof of your new home. Reach Guardian Roofing online by clicking here or call us at (832) 998-3458 today!