Roof on a New Home: What to Look For
When buying a new home, you might want to consider if local roofing services Harrisburg are available. Roofing is a very expensive aspect of your home, so making sure the roof is well inspected before purchasing a home is important. During this process there are a few important factors to look into:
- The age of the Roof
- The Ventilation System
- The Canals and Seepage System
- Breaks and Leaks
- Mold
- Downspouts
When first inspecting a roof look for obvious signs of damage. Curves, bulges, signs of mold, missing shingles, etc. Any of these deformities can indicate a very old roof. Contact your roofing services Harrisburg experts if you suspect significant damage, while there is nothing inherently wrong with an old roof it does make it more prone to damage. To get an exact measure of the roof’s age makes sure to ask the current homeowner. This will give you a better understanding of what maintenance may need to be done.
Ventilation is just as important as the roof itself. Without proper ventilation allowing a good amount of air and sunlight to come in, there can be numerous problems. Always ask about the ventilation system when buying a new home, or use local roofing services Harrisburg to get an inspection on the home.
Drainage pipes are the pipes that run along the side of your roof. To judge the condition of these pipes, you will need to get onto the roof and look at them from above. It is not recommended that you do this yourself, however, as it leaves you at risk for injury. Contacting an expert would probably be the better option unless you are trained yourself. Your seepage system includes your gutters, downspouts, and drainage pipes. While checking these systems, look for grains of asphalt that have come off of your shingles as this indicates a damaged roof that is no longer shielding your home from the sunlight.
Roof leaks can risk many parts of your home and open them up to damage. From the walls to the floor, all the way to the foundation. Water damage is no joke and is very expensive to repair. Leaking happens most commonly in plumbing vents, chimneys, and valleys. IF you have a leak it is going to be very difficult to find the source. That is why it is highly recommended that you contact your roofing services Harrisburg experts immediately to find and seal the leak before too much damage is done. When buying a home it is important to get the roof inspected for these leaks beforehand, as catching a leak will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Mold can come in many different forms. Many of them are lightly colored and are easy to see and smell, but others are dark and better concealed. Mold is most commonly found between walls, floorboards, and under roofs. The most common cause of mold is a damaged roof or poor ventilation system. Many homeowners make the mistake of eliminating the mold but not searching for leaks or other forms of damage. This causes the mold to return due to a leak that was never fixed. Even if you think the mold is gone for good, unfortunately, if you do not check for leaks it can come back and do more damage than before. Mold on a rooftop can cause odor and many health risks. Before buying a home ensure the roof is free of mold and check small gaps and spaces for leakage or any other mold risks.
Downspouts are a great sign of potential risks. If water is pooling around certain areas, there is excess water flow, or there are signs of past flooding you will have to be careful about your decision to buy. If the rooftop downspouts do not have soak wells that are the correct size, this indicates that maintenance will have to be done, which can be very costly over time.
Roofing Services Harrisburg: Keeping Yourself Protected
If you have any other questions regarding roofing on a new home or need help inspecting a home, contact the roofing services Harrisburg professionals at Integrity Roofing. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and ensure the home you are looking to buy is in great condition. Contact us today or find us on Facebook!