How to tell if you need a new roof | Christian Saunders Real Estate
Whether you’re currently looking through homes for sale in Scranton PA and surrounding areas, or you’ve already found one; an important exterior component to pay attention to is your roof. You need to know how to tell if you need a new roof before you purchase one of the older homes in Lackawanna county.
We’ll work with you to help you determine many of the costs you’ll run into if you buy a home but here are some of the things you’ll want to do to tell if you need a new roof.
Interior Roof Inspection
Many people will look at a roof from the outside and think it looks old but you need to go inside the house to really make a determination. Many homes for sale In Dunmore PA and Scranton are older and it may have been longer than 15 years since they’ve had the roof replaced.
The easiest way to determine the condition of a roof is by grabbing a flashlight and heading into the attic. Make sure the flashlight is nice and bright so you don’t miss anything.
If you’re wondering “how can you tell when you need a new roof?” These tips will help:
Light shining through
Whenever you see light shining through cracks or holes in the roof you know that water is getting through as well. This is a severe sign that you need a new roof.
Stains or streaks
If you see any water damage on the roof or running down the walls then it could be doing serious damage to your home's interior.
Sagging
When you see sagging areas in the ceiling and roof it means that water is building up and pooling in certain areas of your home. This factor is a tell-tale sign of potential water damage.
Exterior Roof Inspection
So, how do you tell if you need a new roof from the outside? Once you’ve completed your interior check, take the party outside and look for some of these factors. Exterior roof damage is usually much easier to pick up on than interior. It stands out more and especially on old homes for sale in Lackawanna county. Let’s take a look:
Look at the shingles
Take a look at the shingles on your roof. They should lie perfectly flat without any buckling. Also, if the shingles are cracked or damaged they most likely need to be repaired. When you see shingles falling off the roof or you have small granules in the gutters, that usually means your roof is nearing the end of its life.
Flashing
Check all the sealant around skylights, vents, and chimneys. These will wear down over time from the weather and sun so you need to make sure there are no leaks happening here. Many people elect to upgrade to metal flashing systems because they’re more durable.
Drooping/Sagging
Whenever you see a sagging roof from the outside, it’s a serious issue. Go inside and check for rotting wood or separating joists. If the roof is severely dipping then you’ll want to have this issue addressed before you consider buying the home.
Mossy Growth
When you see wet moss on a roof, it often means there is moisture trapped underneath and that’s why the moss is growing. It might not seem like an issue right away but it could be a sign of more serious underlying issues.
How to Tell If You Need a New Roof: A Few Extras
There’s a few extra tips to help determine that you need to replace your roof. In addition to inspecting the inside and outside of the roof, you’ll want to work closely with your realtor to identify some of the other tell-tale signs of an old roof.
Check the roof valley
The valley of your roof is where the two sections meet and water flows down here into the gutter. These are prime real estate for leaks because the two roof sections meet here and there’s a lot of moisture in this area. Make sure to check it for any cracks or damaged shingles.
Poor workmanship
I know how to identify a bad job when it comes to a roof, and everyone at Christian Saunders Real Estate can help you with this. The last thing you want to bother with is a shoddy roof. In many cases, you don’t need to replace the whole roof if there is a leak, if the whole job is botched, you’ll end up with more problems than it’s worth. We’ll always try to stir you away from these types of home issues.
Roof Age 20 Years+
How do you know when you need a new roof? If it’s 20 years or older you’ll likely need to replace it. By this time, the shingles or asphalt has worn down so much that it cracks and damages easily. The most lost shingles you have the higher the chance that you’ll encounter a leak. If the roof is more than 20 years old and you’re thinking of buying that house in Scranton PA or Dunmore you’ll want to factor that into the negotiation.
What to Do If You Identify Roof Damage
Let’s talk about a prospective home buyer who is interested in a house in Lackawanna county but the roof might ruin the deal.
We’ll need to negotiate with the seller on the issue of the roof. During home inspection and appraisal we will be able to fully determine the extent of damage to the roof. If the inspector believes that the roof needs to be replaced, we will have to negotiate that into the purchase price.
If you currently find yourself in this situation and you’re not receiving the help and guidance you need, consider giving us a call. Our expert agents are all well trained and knowledgeable when it comes to the structural integrity of all the homes in Northeastern PA, Lackawanna County, and Scranton Area.
When you’re looking for realtors near you, it’s important that your choice not only knows how to help you through the buying process but the realtor needs to know how to help you choose the right house as well.