When buying a home, most people consider the floor area, the bathroom, the flooring, the number of floors, and the number of bedrooms, among other things. However, they rarely check on the home’s first line of defense against the elements: the roof.
The roof sustains wear and tear over time, and unless it’s raining when you visit the house you want to buy, it can be difficult to know if it is leaking. The insulation and infestations are also difficult to notice.
This blog will explore the things to check when inspecting a roof before buying a house in Seattle.
The Roof’s Age
Different types of roofs have different lifespans. While factors such as climate and maintenance can affect the longevity of a roof, knowing the expected lifespan of a roof is an essential baseline.
Here are the estimated lifespans of the common roof types in Seattle:
Metal Roofing: 50 years and up
Asphalt Shingles: 20-30 years
PVC Membrane: 20-30 years
Cedar Shakes: about 30 years
You may want to ask the previous owner when the roof was installed or replaced. If this information is unavailable, a professional roof inspector can assess the estimated age of the roof.
Roof Types
PNW climate can be harsh on roofs. Constant exposure to rainfall, growth of moss and algae, and occasional ice dams can cause water seepage that eventually leads to crumbling or rotting of the ceiling.
To counter these challenges, most local roofers recommend certain roofing materials for homes and businesses in Seattle. Metal roofing, asphalt shingles, and cedar shakes are the common roofing materials recommended for homes, while PVC membrane is ideal for commercial spaces.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance Requirements
Another key consideration when choosing a home is the maintenance required for the roof. Some roofing materials, such as metal roofing and PVC shingles, require low maintenance. Their structures do not hold moisture or much dirt where moss and algae might grow.
Meanwhile, asphalt shingles and cedar shakes require cleaning, resurfacing, and, sometimes, replacing missing shingles, which can be costly in the long run.
Roofing Problems
Most importantly, you should check for roofing problems the house is currently experiencing. Water seepage, damaged flashing, clogged gutters, broken chimneys, and malfunctioning insulation systems are among the common roofing problems in Seattle.
It is crucial to remember that the previous homeowner or real estate agent may try to hide these issues to sell the house quickly or at a good price. For this reason, hiring a professional roofing company is essential to conduct the roof inspection thoroughly.
