When buying a house or even after living in it for a few years, you may have wondered if your roof was still in good condition. Sometimes, a few warning signs such as leaks or the appearance of a large quantity of foam can put the flea in the ear. It is necessary to regularly check your roof and especially your frame to avoid unpleasant surprises.
This is all the more true when buying real estate because, without the advice of experts in the sector, it is still necessary to know how to recognize certain signs in order to measure the general state of its future coverage. We will guide you here to recognize for sure the signs of a roof to be changed or if it is simply some repairs to be done.
Why does my roof change over time?
A roof lives and evolves over time due to various elements such as climatic causes, the proximity of certain trees or even animals and insects that try to make it a place to live! On average, the lifespan of your coverage is estimated at 30 years. This duration is perfectly indicative and will depend on the materials making up your roof (zinc, tile, slate, etc.) and the geographical area where you are located. Strong gusts of wind can, for example, slightly move your tiles or slates and thus create micro-leaks. Another factor, tree pollen near houses can also affect the porosity of your tiles. Your frame is also an element to take into account. The wood it is made of is just as sensitive to heat as it is to humidity or to pests such as fungi or insects that can attack it. A good way to get an indication of the quality of the roof is to refer to the thermal diagnosis of the house that interests you. If the latter is bad, greater vigilance will be advised when checking coverage.
External visual inspections of its roof
Before starting this part, we would like to remind you never to climb on your roof alone to check it. The risk of falling is high and special care must therefore be taken. A simple ladder to get you up is enough for control, no need to climb on your tiles. Using a pair of binoculars can also do the trick in order to look in detail at the structure of your cover. If you are ready to start here is the list of key points to check:
The first point to look at is the general condition of the gutters. Indeed, their appearance is often an excellent indicator of the overall condition of the roof. Most of the time, gutter maintenance is often done at the same time as the roof. If the fixings are missing from the wall, they are pierced or they are sagging, this is not a good sign.
Then look to see if you see a lot of tiles on the roof that you think are newer than others. It’s a good way to ask the owner questions in the context of a purchase to find out why they were changed. Generally, this is done following breakage or after strong gusts of wind.
Then check the ridge (the top of your roof that joins the two sides of the roof). If it has cracks, offsets or bumps it is most certainly that it is no longer waterproof and that it will be necessary to change it.
Finally, examine the existing joints or masonry around a chimney or a terraced house. These are often neglected points that are nevertheless sensitive to infiltration.
Interior inspections of its roof and framework
Checking your cover or future cover from the outside is already a good point, but it is not enough. Indeed, checking your installation from the inside is just as necessary and for this you will have to access the attic or the attic of the house. Little tip: the best time to identify problems is to go there on a sunny day! Indeed, you will then see much better if there are gaps between the tiles. The other points necessary to check are logical:
The presence of fungi or parasites: small holes, regular hissing or even sawdust are elements announcing the presence of insects in your frame. Mushrooms are clearly visible and often located near leaks or damp areas.
Humidity is also to be observed. Indeed, if your insulation is soaked, know that it no longer does its job and therefore needs to be changed. Look mainly at sensitive places. Often the chimney flue is a good indicator and it is necessary to check its tightness. Finally, run your hand over the beams, then you can see if they are wet or not.
In general, this is also a good time to look at the insulation in your attic and make sure it is in good condition Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
Who do you call to repair or replace your roof?
Before even thinking about changing or repairing your roof, we advise you to have regular checks by a trusted professional Pensacola Florida Roofing contractor. This will save you from disappointment by noticing certain damage too late. For a purchase, you can do the same because, notwithstanding the applied control that he will do, he will also be able to budget for the work to be carried out, allowing you to take into account a work envelope when making your purchase. In choosing your trusted partner, look first at all his opinions from former customers and also his certifications. Some very important ones for renovation professionals are indicators of quality work.
