Before you buy a home, you have a chance to look it over and add stipulations to your offer. For instance, you can offer the buyer a certain price for the home if they are willing to have certain work done before the sale. One common request buyers make is for the old roof to be replaced. This makes a lot of sense. You don't want to move into a home with an old, aged roof, only to wake up to leaks and other problems a few months later. But how do you determine whether a roof should be replaced before you buy a home? Here are some key signs you'll want to make this request of the buyer.
Peeling and Cracked Shingles
Maybe the shingles are mostly in place, but many of them are in poor condition. They may look like they are starting to curl along the edges. Or, you may see a lot of cracked shingles on the roof. When it's more than just a few shingles, replacing the damaged shingles is not the solution. The home likely needs a whole new roof, and it needs it before those shingles start sloughing off on their own.
Granules in the Gutters
If you get a chance, try looking into the ends of the gutter downspouts. Do you see any little, gravel-like pieces on there? If you see more than a couple of these bits, then the roof is shedding granules. This happens when a roof is near the end of its life expectancy. The granules are an important part of the shingle and allow it to shed water, so without the granules, the roof will be prone to leaks. You can have a roofer take a closer look to be sure, but usually, you're best off having a granule-shedding roof replaced before you buy a home.
Moisture in the Attic
You can't always tell whether a roof is leaking by looking at the outside of the roof. But if you go into the attic, leaks are pretty easy to detect. A roof that's leaking will cause moisture to bead up on the attic beams. You may also notice mold growth on the insulation, rot on the floorboards, or an overall humid feeling. There is a chance the roof just needs minor repairs, but if you know the roof is older, leaks usually mean a new roof is needed.
If a roof is showing the signs above, don't hesitate to ask the homeowner to have it replaced before you buy the home. For more information on a roof replacement, contact a company near you.
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