The All-Important Roof

The roof on your house is there for three very important reasons. First of all it prevents moisture from penetrating into the house.  Second, the overhang from the roof prevents outside walls from getting moist. Third, the architecture of the roof is designed to increase curb appeal.  Here is another reason that a professional inspection is recommended.  While most owners can only take a look from the ground, it is very likely that they do not know what to look for.  A professional inspector is trained to do the job, must have experience, and a good eye.

Like any other structure in your home, the roof has its weak points.  These are often at the points where the roofing material and other materials meet.  An inspector will look closely at the meeting point between the roof and the chimney as well as roof edges and all intersections. Another problem area are the valleys where different roof angles come together. Here it is important for the home inspector to see that some kind of flashing has been used. The best material for this is either metal or roll roofing. Here again it is important that only professionals inspect your roof. Untrained people may not know exactly what to look for when inspecting your roof.

Different kinds of roofs are susceptible to different problems.  For example, low sloping roofs with overhangs are prone to ice dam problems. Ice damming is the result of snow accumulation on the roof and is more common on poorly insulated homes. Here's how the problem works. After a snowfall, heat will escape from the house into the attic and melt the snow on the roof above. As the water runs down looking for the ground, it stops at the snow on the roof overhead that has not melted.  This water encountering the snow will freeze and a dam will form at that point.

As far as the shingle materials go, asphalt shingles have been used more than any other type for the last 40 years. They are used in both the newer homes and the older homes as well. It is because of this popularity that home inspectors have learned how to spot the problems with these shingles. There are several clues as to when an asphalt roof is wearing out. One of the best indications is missing granules.  A large accumulation of these granules in the gutters is also another clear indication, as well as shingles that have buckled in the middle or curled at the edges.  The life expectancy of the shingles is 12 to 15 years and some higher-quality models on the market claim to last for a quarter-century.

Homeowners should always understand how important the roof is. It's a vital piece of the foundation of this kind of investment and ensuring the roof is in good working order will increase the enjoyment of your new home for years to come. It should be one of the first things on everyone's checklist.