You have found the house that is just perfect for you and your family- great location, the right amount of space, good school district, everything you want including the price point. However, there could be one issue- you might be buying a house with an old roof. Ignoring the condition of the roof could lead to some serious issues if you don’t know what to expect or don’t have all the information. So here we explore whether you should buy a house with an old roof or not.
Ageing roofs are the number one deal-breakers when it comes to buying a house. Well-maintained roofs can last up to 30 years or even more, however, poor-quality shingles/ tiles or shoddy installation of a roof could mean a requirement for early replacement of the roof.
Get clarity on the condition of the roof and what’s needed
The first thing as a buyer you need to understand is that all roofs have some kind of wear and tear and sooner or later it will need repair. When you are purchasing a house, you need to check the age of the roof- the older the roof, the sooner, as a new owner you will have to invest in the repair and maintenance.
The lifespan of the roof also depends upon the type of material used- asphalt shingles, metal roofs, composite shingles, etc. – all have a different lifespan. Furthermore, weather conditions also play an important role in determining how often the roof needs to be replaced.
Therefore, to make an informed decision it is always a great idea to hire service of a home inspector to verify the condition of the roof. You may also check with the owner for documentation of when the roof was last repaired. You can also inspect the roof and attic yourself. Besides that, taking an opinion from a professional roofing company will be helpful as they can not only professionally investigate the roof but can also give you an estimate on how much the repairs would cost and when they will be needed.
An old roof isn’t necessarily a failing roof
Just because the roof is quite old doesn’t mean that it is a failing roof. There may not be a single leak and that means that you can still consider buying that house.
Buying a house with an ageing roof simply means that you need to do your homework well. A roof that is only a few years old may be in a worse condition than the one installed twenty years ago. It all depends on how the owner has maintained it and the materials used.
As long as there are any signs of water damage, visible signs of deterioration or missing shingles, you are good to go. If structurally the roof is in a good shape you may get it recoated with paint or spray foam roofing that can extend the life further. However, it is recommended to hire roofing experts.
Also, you may want to buy a house with an old roof is that you can negotiate the price with the seller. If the roof is nearing the end of its life and you are willing to bear the cost of roof replacement than you can ask the seller to lower the price at least by that amount.
Signals when you need to walk away from an old roof
Sometimes it is better to avoid buying an ageing roof, especially when – there is a structural damage and the roof is sagging or there are patches of missing shingles. There is algae overgrowth; algae and moss growth on exterior shingles could mean poor ventilation in the attic. Also, check if there are any stains on interior walls and you can see signs of mold or mildew when you run your hand on the affected area than it is better to avoid buying that house.
Final thoughts
It is possible to buy a house with an old roof, however, you need to prepare yourself to deal with repairs and replacement costs in the future.
As a buyer, if you love everything about that house, it’s worth considering. All you need to do is to get it inspected and do take a second opinion from your trusted roofer.
At Allegiant Roofing we will be happy to help you with all your roofing needs.
