Buying a New Home? Have Roof Inspection Done!

When you buy a new home, your lender will require a pest control inspection, structural inspection, and, of course, the electrical and plumbing inspections. If the lender approves of the findings, they fund your loan, you sign lots of paper work and get the keys to your new home. Do you have any idea what was really inspected on the roof though? You saw the inspector climb up there, but what was he or she looking for?

Next to the foundation and the walls, the roof of your home is very important. It can also be a very expensive part of your home to be repaired or replaced. That is why it is so important to make sure the inspector does a thorough job so that you have the opportunity to back out of the deal or make a deal with the seller.

It is common for a seller to know that their roof has any leak issues. Many will do a patch job themselves, or pay a contractor to just make it good for now just so they can get it on the market and sell it before the next big storm. That doesn't mean ever seller is like that, but it isn't as rare as you may want to think it is either.

In this part of the country, the weather can go from freezing cold to blistering hot and the hail and winds that we experience can really do a number on a roof. You should question the inspector when they submit their report to you and your lender and check the following items:

• The Age

• How Long Before New Roof Needed

• Any Waterproofing System in Place

• Any Possible Hazards

Along with their findings, they should be able to give you ball park estimates on repairs or replacement. If you decided to proceed with the purchase, you should get at least 2 or 3 official quotes from roofing contractors like us here at Dun-Rite Roofing. Make sure any quote you get includes guarantee and warranty as well.

Are Attic Vents Really Needed?

Insulating your home's attic is one of the most important things you can do, not only for the energy benefits but for the life of your roof. Attic ventilation is important as well, but it is often the last thing anyone thinks about, if they do at all.

There are a variety of vent types installed in attic. The purpose of these vents is to help your attic breathe and keep it from building up moisture that will eventually cause mildew and mold, leading to a whole other batch of problems. The professionals at Dun-Rite Roofing recommend attic ventilation that has both soffit and ridge vents. This can be done by do-it-yourselfers, however the job can become difficult and if not done properly, can actually cause more damage and harm than it prevents.

Attic ventilation helps your home during the hotter times of the year because it lowers the temperature in the attic. With a lower temperature in the attic, your energy bill will lower as well because your AC unit isn't working as hard.

Proper attic ventilation in the winter minimizes the moisture as we discussed. Installing vapor barriers will help with minimizing the moisture, but the attic vents actually let air circulate through the attic, keeping that moisture moving.

Whether you store something in the attic or not, a trip up there to check for possible leaks is always wise so you can catch those things before they become bigger problems. Some things to look for are water dripping, water spots, rusty nails, or stained wood. Should you see any of these things, call a professional roofing contractor such as Dun-Rite Roofing immediately to have the problem assessed and a quote provided to fix the problem.