Roof problems after home purchase

Like many hopeful homebuyers, you likely had a wish list in mind, outlining your desired number of bedrooms, preferred style, and favored neighborhoods, among other important features. However, it’s important not to overlook one critical component of any good home: a sturdy, reliable roof.

If you’ve already bought your dream home and are beginning to wonder what your new roof might have in store for you, today, we’ll be sharing some common roof problems after buying a house. Even if you haven’t put in an offer yet, these issues are good to know—understanding roofing problems can be a powerful negotiating tool and allows you to make an informed decision.

Old Roofs

If your realtor failed to mention the age of your roof, try to find out. Age is one of the biggest indicators of whether a roof will need to be replaced. You can likely find this information in your inspection or appraisal report, assuming you had one (and you definitely should have).

Older roofs, that are more than ten years old, will likely need to be repaired frequently and will require replacement in 20 to 25 years. However, the ten-year rule doesn’t apply to all roofing materials. Metal roofing, for example, can last up to 50 years. Either way, the age and history of your new roof is useful information to have.

Leaks

Not all roof leaks are as obvious as a drip you can just put a bucket under—though that can happen as well. If you notice stains or discoloration on your walls, that could indicate that water is seeping into your new home through the roof, which means a roof repair might be in your near future.

If you haven’t done so already, it’s a good idea to have a peek in your attic if you can. Look for signs of moisture damage, mold, and the level of insulation. Often small leaks or condensation problems show in the attic area first. We recommend doing your inspection after a good rain to catch issues that may be drying up when the weather is warm.

Lost Shingles

Take a good look at the exterior of the roof. Do you notice any shingles that are either skewed or entirely missing? These shingles will need to be replaced to prevent leaks and other damage during heavy storms.

If you notice missing shingles on the roof before you’ve made an offer on the house, you may be able to negotiate their repair as part of your offer. Often, sellers will be willing to fix these issues if it will increase your interest in the home. If it’s too late for that, not to worry, shingle repairs are relatively affordable.

Roof Sagging

A sagging roof is never a good sign, as it often indicates structural issues with the home, which can be expensive to fix. Not only will the roof need to be replaced, but load-bearing walls will need to be repaired, and the overall foundation of the house may need to be fixed as well. If you notice a sagging roof after buying a home, the first thing you want to do is look at your closing papers.

Look for a roof warranty. If there is one, the repairs will likely be covered. If there isn’t, check the seller’s disclosures and the inspection report to see if the roof damage was reported. If it wasn’t, you might be able to pursue the seller to have them pay for the repairs if the home wasn’t sold “as-is.”