Inspecting Your Roof

One of the most important steps in almost every single home purchase is the inspection.  It is your opportunity to work with a trained professional and find out everything about your possible purchase. Today we are going to focus on an integral part of your home and that  inspection...THE ROOF.  Your roof has a tough job. It is the first/best line of defense from Mother Nature. Charlotte weather is usually temperate and pleasant, but we've been hit hard by the elements on occasion.  Any weakness in those defensives will cause serious damage as a result of water, hail, ice, or all of the above. So before, during and after inspection remember these rules for your roof!

  1. Outside: Either your inspector, or both of you, should conduct a visual inspection o the roof. See if anything looks out of place, damaged, or missing: missing shingles, damaged flashing, etc.  Any significant problems should be repaired immediately. Conduct similar inspections around any chimney or other outcroppings such as vents.
  2. Inside: Next, inspect the roof from the inside. Go up in the attic and look around for any signs of light from the outside. (Hint: if light can get into your attic, so can water! Any cracks will need to be sealed or caulked (or both.) Also, check all ceilings for water stains, cracking, or warping. If you find any, then you know the water is coming from somewhere. And don't assume that the leak is right above the damaged area; water can run for a distance before it settles in and starts to seep through the ceiling material.
  3. Found Damage? Before closing, we strongly recommend having any roof needs repaired. Otherwise, make a note to inspect it again every six months, since a small problem can rapidly turn into a large one. If roofing repair is needed at any time go with a professional, and get references. With most cases of home repair, hiring the wrong person will almost always result in subsequent problems.

REMEMBER: Your roof should last you ten to twelve years if properly maintained. Make your first inspection the first of MANY...Get in the habit now of performing regular inspections and keeping an eye out for problems as they occur.

Bonnie and Daniel Papandrea
704-756-8071 Read more

Tagged as Fort mill, Home buyer, Rock hill, roof inspection.