When looking to buy a new home, it’s important to remember that there are many big ticket items that could come back to bite you after purchasing. These major things include a roof, windows, and HVAC systems. But how do you know if the roof is in good condition? Here are some helpful tips and things to look for when seeing homes for the first time.
Warranty
If the previous homeowner was smart, they replaced their roof with CertainTeed brand shingles. We also would have recommended that they purchased CertainTeed’s 5-star warranty, which is transferrable to new homeowners within the first 15 years of the roof.
Knowing if your roof has a product and craftsmanship warranty is important, as this could eliminate the need for costly repairs later down the road. Atlas Restoration, we always recommend that our homeowners purchase a transferrable 5-star warranty that will give potential buyers piece of mind that their roof is covered by a local company.
Get to Know the Age of the Roof
When looking at a potential new home, take a minute and look at the roof from afar. Take note of certain characteristics that could mean age or damage. Black streaks generally mean that the roof is over 10 years old, but is simply a cosmetic issue. If the shingles are falling off or there are loose shingles in the roof, the roof is in definite need of a replacement. Looking for signs of hail damage can be tricky from afar, but can be addressed during your home inspection.
You can also simply ask the current homeowner or your realtor about the age of the roof. Depending on the area you’re looking at, many homes in the same area will have the same age roof, due to hail storms or simply age.
Good Ventilation System
A homeowner may choose to put shiny new shingles on the roof without addressing any of the other areas of the roofing system. If there were previous issues that caused them to need a new roof, but weren’t addressed, this could lead to issues for the new homeowner.
If the shingles are warped or coming away from the roof, this could mean an improperly ventilated attic that could lead to higher costs as a new homeowner. It’s important to get a proper inspection on this issue by a licensed roofing contractor.
Shingle Quality
If possible, have your realtor find out the type of shingles that are on your potential home. If the roof is relatively new, the current homeowners should know the brand of shingles they choose. Making sure they have quality shingles like CertainTeed Landmark is important to knowing your roof is going to keep your roof safe. Shingle brands like Tamko and IKO are cheap and light shingle brands that will not protect your home.
Atlas Restoration, we are proud to put on the best roofs in Texas with CertainTeed Landmark and Landmark PRO, which are the heaviest shingles in the local market available.
Buying a new home can be overwhelming, but Atlas Restorations is here to make sure that homeowners know the best products and services to put on their roof. If you’re considering selling your home, give Atlas Restoration a call to give you a free estimate for your roof replacement. We promise that our products and their warranties will sell your home in a heartbeat.
