Putting a house up for sale usually requires having a roof inspected by a professional contractor or licensed specialist; it is then certified to have passed all necessary tests. The average life span of most roofing material ranges from 20 to 30 years; however, in states that experience bad weather conditions such as hail, strong winds and snow, that life span can be quite shorter than the average. To protect a potential buyer, residences must be inspected and certified before the property is sold.
Following are some of the steps and factors involved in a roof inspection.
- Outside – During an examination, all of the external structures such as dormer windows, chimneys, gutters, and flashing are closely examined as these are the parts of the roofing system most often damaged. On high-pitched roofs, binoculars can be used to perform the examination; for low-pitched and flat systems, it is appropriate to climb onto the structure itself for a closer look. Any examination will involve looking at the condition of: the surface of the structure; exposed flashing; gutter and drains; and the chimney.
- Inside – These inspections are also done from inside the house, especially from the attic area. Some signs of deterioration are more visible on the underlying structure such as: eaves, fasteners, braces, support material, interior chimney, and plywood sheathing. Aside from the visual examination, infrared scanners may be used to monitor and detect the temperature differences in various areas of the roof. The presence of escaping warm air or ‘hot spots’ can help determine the presence of leaks in the roofing structure.
- Common Problems – Some of the most common roofing problems include: open areas close to the flashing insufficient bonding of the membrane to metal flashing; splitting of the surface; loosened flashing; and fasteners that have come undone. Weakened chimney structures and unfastened gutters are additional common problems discovered during an inspection. Two of the problems more common on older roofs are brittleness of especially asphalt shingles and deterioration of organic material such as wood shakes.
- Certification – The factors that influence certification include: roof type; age; pitch or steepness; number of layers; and status of prior repairs. Any damage discovered is stated on the certification, which could have an effect on the property’s marketability. If any problems are discovered during the inspection, it would be in the best interest of the seller to make necessary repairs before marketing the house.
If a structure is in good condition and has many serviceable years, having an inspection and certification before marketing the house can work to a seller’s advantage. The property can be listed and sold for a higher price with fully confident of the roof’s quality. Where states do not require certification, a buyer can make a successful inspection of a home a contingency of the sale. Whichever way an inspection may go, it is very clear that an inspection can indeed help sell a house!
Are you looking for a professional roofer to perform a roof Houston inspection in order to sell a house? Schulte Roofing of Navasota services the greater Houston area and can help all of their customers with any roofing needs!