Are you about to buy a new home? Do you want to avoid a problematic roof?
Trust me; the last thing you want is to spend all that money on a new house just for the roof to cause costly problems. Not only that, but you also need specific roofing information before and after the purchase.
Fortunately, asking the right roofing questions provides everything to put your mind at ease before signing the final contract. You just need to know what they are.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in educating homeowners on all things roofing. So, I’ll help you understand what you need to ask when you find a house you want to purchase.
Let’s get to the 6 roofing questions every homeowner should ask before buying a home.
1. What’s the overall condition of the roof?
You’re about to invest a lot of money in a new home. The last thing you want is the expense to replace the roof a year or two after moving in.
The first roofing question to ask when buying a home is simply how the roof is currently doing. You need to know the overall condition to ensure it’s fully functioning and there won’t be immediate problems.
A home inspector can give you an idea, but a roofer will be able to provide a full assessment. They’ll check the condition of the main roofing material, flashings, penetrations, and other roof areas.
They’ll also look for signs of past repairs to learn if the roof had installation problems that caused leaks. After learning the roof’s current condition, you’ll either be told it’s all good or there are things to address before buying the home.
2. When was the roof installed?
Checking the overall condition gives you an idea of how the roof is doing. However, asking when it was installed will actually tell you how many years it should have left.
Let’s say the roof has architectural asphalt shingles (the most common roofing material in the United States). Architectural shingles have a lifespan of around 22-25 years when properly installed and with adequate attic ventilation.
If the roof is 20 years old, you know the roof will need to be replaced in a few years. On the other hand, an architectural shingle roof installed 10 years ago should have at least 10 years left.
Just keep in mind getting the maximum lifespan depends on the installation quality. However, asking when the roof was installed gives you a good idea of when it’ll need a replacement in the future.
3. Is there drip edge installed on the rakes and eaves?
One of the most important roofing questions to ask when buying a home is if drip edge is installed on the roof's edges (rakes and eaves). Drip edge is metal flashing used to keep water away from your fascia and protect your decking if water gets underneath the material.
It’s one of the most important roofing components, and every roof must have it installed. It’s so important that drip edge is required per building codes and must be installed correctly to pass a home inspection.
So, by asking this question, you can actually learn if the home you’re interested in is up to code. And if there isn’t drip edge, there’s no telling what else is missing from the roof.
4. Is the attic properly ventilated?
Your attic ventilation system plays a crucial role on the roof and in the home. Without proper attic ventilation, trapped air dramatically shortens a roof's lifespan.
That’s why you should ask if the attic is properly ventilated when buying a home. This isn’t just for the roof, but also the home.
If the attic isn’t ventilated correctly, the AC and heating unit will run more. Not only will this increase energy bills, but it’ll also make certain rooms in your new home uncomfortable.
5. Who installed the roof?
Just like asking when it was installed, you need to ask who installed the roof when buying a home. Knowing the roofing contractor who installed the roof gives you a point of contact if there’s a problem.
After all, it’s their work. So, any questions or concerns can be addressed directly from the source.
They’ll also have the relevant records and paperwork for roofing work done on the home. This is a great way to learn if there were problems the company had to come out and fix.
6. Is the roof still under warranty?
The last roofing question to ask when buying a home also goes into asking who installed the roof. You should always ask if the roof is still under warranty and for all the relevant warranty information.
If the current homeowner has the paperwork from the last time it was replaced, you can find the information there. However, you should still reach out to the roofing contractor who installed the roof.
First, ask about their workmanship warranty and if the roof is still covered. This will let you decide to use the same company or find another if there are problems down the road.
However, you should never let another company on the roof if it’s still under warranty. After learning about workmanship, you need to ask what material warranties came with the roof, who they’re with, and how long the coverage lasts.
This varies by manufacturer, so the length and what’s covered depends on certification levels. However, it’s still important to learn if the roof is still covered for installation errors and defective materials before buying a home.
Should you buy a home with an old roof?
Now you know the roofing questions you should ask when buying a home. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee you’ll get all the answers.
However, asking these questions helps you determine if the roof is a problem or a selling point when buying a home. Keep in mind that it’s rare for a roof to cause a home purchase to fall through.
But you should still consider a few things before buying a home with an old roof. On top of this, you need to know how to approach the seller and what your options are if the roof is a problem.
That’s why I wrote another article about whether you should buy a house with an old roof.
Check out Should I Buy a House with an Old Roof to learn what you should do if the home you’re interested in has a roof that needs to be replaced.
