Buying a new home can be very exciting and daunting at the same time. I wanted to put together a roofing system checklist for anyone looking to purchase a new property to make the inspection process a bit easier. It’s a good idea to know what the inspector is looking for to be educated on the overall report.
Even if the seller lets you know the property has
11 checklist items for new Homeowners:
- Look for broken roofing pieces often found in the gutter troth.
- Watch for color variances or blistering in the roof.
- See if there are granulates build up in the gutter, even a new roofing system can have failing shingles.
- Improper installation of swamp coolers, vents, and HVAC. Improperly installed flashing can cause leaks even with a new roofing system.
- Deteriorating flashing or sealant on an older roof can cause leaking.
- Soft or wet spots where the roof meets valleys or transitions to wall sections.
- The correct amount of ventilation. GAF has a great Ventilation Calculator.
- Blistering near vent pipes
- Check for water build up where gutters are draining by the foundation.
- Look for signs of leaking in the attic. Dark spots by vents can indicate a leak.
- Properly pitching gutter system. Make sure all gutter runs are draining towards the appropriate downspout.
Purchasing a home can be a lot of work. It is important to have the roof inspected prior to committing to an offer. You could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Even
