The Roof Will Tell You About The Home

People tend to focus on certain components of a home and forget to look at the basics. Yes, the kitchen is an important area, but it is only as good as the roof keeping the wind, rain, sun and snow out.

When it comes to issues related to the roof, most people get those eyes. You know, the glazed over look. Do not make this mistake. There is general and specific information that you can easily get that will tell you a lot about the roof and the home.

One of the most important issues to know is what kind of roof should be on the home. If you live in Southern California, for instance, wood shingle roofs are bad news. The fires that sweep through the region will use them like kindling.

That being said, it helps to know the pillars of roofing systems, particularly the different types most commonly found on homes. There are many types, but three basic styles stick out. Each has their strengths and weaknesses.

The wood shingle roof is the most basic of roofs on the market. Depending on the climatic conditions, it will last between fifteen and thirty years. The cost of replacement depends on the size of the roof. An average home will run in the $9,000 range.

The metal roof is a tougher version of the wood roof. It should last 35 years or more depending on maintenance and its condition. The cost of replacing the roof is a bit more, however, in the eleven thousand dollar range.

The most popular roof these days tends to be the tile version. It can last 50 years or more so long as you replace broken tiles. It costs between thirteen and seventeen grand to replace, but is fire resistant and water does not decay it.

The condition of a roof can help you see through the facade of a home for sale. How so? People will spiff out things at eye level, but not a roof. If you see broken tiles, dirty gutters and so on, it is a sign the house was poorly maintained.

Try to look for warped shingles as well. The warping will cause the end of the shingles to bend up. This can result in pools of water, which will slowly decay the shingle. The only remedy is roof replacement, so it is a vital issue to cover.

Another area to consider is the flashing. This is the material, usually metal, that creates a water tight seal between the roof and other surfaces. If it is rusted, you need a very thorough inspection done because water is probably getting into it.

We have covered the outside of the home, so now head inside into the attic. Your goal here is to look at the underside of the roof. If you see stains, it means there is a leak. It also means water may be migrating under the roof as a whole, a very bad sign.

Even in this nasty housing market, buying a home is a fairly smart idea. In fact, there may be no better time to buy than now given the low prices. Sellers are desperate, so make sure to take a close look at the roofs on homes to figure out what is what.

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