What to Look Out for in a Roof When Buying a Home: The Ultimate Guide

When looking to buy a new home, most buyers typically pay the most attention to its interior, including the shape of the floor, the condition of the appliances, its amenities, furnishing, and similar.

However, this often leaves one very important area ignored – the roof. As one of the integral parts of a home that serves to protect everyone inside, the roof should always be at the forefront of a buyer’s consideration.

You want to make sure that it’s solid, sturdy, and most importantly, capable of withstanding the outside elements. After all, it is one of the priciest features of any home, so it goes without saying that it should be thoroughly inspected. 

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the biggest factors to consider before saying ”yes” to your new home.

How Old is the Roof?

While there’s nothing necessarily wrong with an older roof, it’s still important to make sure it hasn’t been affected by age or damaged in one way or another. The best way to do that is by checking if there are any deformities on the roof, as this is an indicator that the roof is quite worn out.

Another way to know about the condition of the roof is by simply asking the current homeowners to tell you about its lifespan or any previous repairs that have been done.

Roofs can be made from a number of different materials, such as composite, tin, cedar shingles, metal, rubber, and many others, all with different characteristics and lifespans. If, for example, the roof is made from composite shingles, it’s likely to last longer with no need for frequent repairs, while some other materials might require more work.

Does It Have an Appropriate Ventilation System?

If the home you’re looking to purchase has a solid new rooftop that checks all your boxes, but its ventilation system leaves a lot to be desired, it’s only a matter of time before you’re faced with serious issues.

You want to buy a home with a proper ventilation system that allows the air to circulate the home more easily and naturally, and this is something you should never compromise on.

An inadequate ventilation system can cause many costly issues down the road, such as the roof overheating and deteriorating, and not to mention the moisture that may accumulate and easily lead to mold formation.

What Is the Condition of the Seepage System?

The seepage system consists of downspouts, drainage pipes, and gutters. As you’re probably aware, gutters are incredibly important for your home, which is why you should never neglect to inspect their shape.

In most cases, they just need to be cleaned out so that the water can run smoothly, but if you notice any serious damage to them, this can lead to enormous water damage on the roof, as well as spread to your home’s interior later on.

Another thing you should pay attention to is the drainage pipes placed under the roof. This is an excellent way to inspect the roof’s condition. However, you should never attempt to do this yourself, but rather let expert roofers do it.

Are There Any Breaks or Leaks?

The last thing you’d want is to buy a house – and only later find out it has leaks. Why? Because this can severely damage the structure of the entire house and lead to some unwanted additional expenses. It is vital to carefully inspect the entire rooftop, valleys, and smoke chimneys for any leak points before the purchase. 

Leaking can harm your furniture, completely demolish the paint, as well as your walls. The most frustrating thing, though, is that oftentimes, it can be really difficult to figure out the exact source of the leak, as it’s not always obvious to an untrained eye.

So, to be on the safe side, make sure to have your professional roofer inspect everything and confirm the house is completely leak-free before you decide to finalize the purchase.

What About Mold?

Unfortunately, mold can form almost anywhere. You can find it between walls, around the windows and pipes, under the flooring, and sometimes even in less visible spots. Mold thrives in places with lots of moisture, and the primary reason for mold formation is usually an inadequate ventilation system, but it can also form due to water leakage.

Finding mold on the rooftop or in the attic is a very bad sign. Not only does it affect the home’s overall appearance and curb appeal, but it also causes foul odors that can make it almost impossible to live there. 

And if that isn’t enough, exposure to mold can cause many health issues as well, including eye and throat irritation, nasal stuffiness, coughing, and more. Your best bet is to call professionals to inspect the house for mold and hold off on buying the house until it’s inspected and any potential problem is resolved.

Are the Rooftop Downspouts Fully Functional?

And lastly, you should also check all the rooftop downspouts to make sure that they’re not releasing water straight into the ground but rather in the soak wells and that they are not blocked.

You want to look around for any signs of previous flooding or excessive water pooling in the roof downspouts, as this is an indicator that the soak wells are the wrong size or in need of cleaning, which can prove to be very costly.

It is very important to be extra careful when purchasing a new home. A detailed inspection is your guarantee that there aren’t any hidden issues waiting for you down the road. Inspecting a new home before making it your financial responsibility is the smartest thing you can do.

Are You Ready to Buy?

When buying a new house, the most important thing to keep in mind is to always look a little deeper and not focus only on the attractive interior and exterior. While it’s important to fall in love with the way your home looks, it’s also vital to make sure it is structurally sound, as well, and that its most important feature – the roof – is in good shape.
Luckily, with your best local roof replacement company on the job, you’ll never have to worry about having a faulty roof. Give the experts at Fortified Roofing a call, and we’ll inspect it in close detail to ensure that it can keep you safe for many years to come.

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing choices among homeowners nationwide –  and for a reason. Not only do they offer versatility, but with them, you also get high performance at a lower cost.

If it’s time to replace your roof, it’s worthwhile to consider all of the amazing benefits of asphalt shingles. After all, your roof is an integral part of your home, and choosing the right roofing material that checks all of your boxes is of the utmost importance.

You want a roof that stands the test of time, has great curb appeal, and is weather-resistant. This is why opting for asphalt shingles will be a smart decision. This type of roofing will ensure excellent protection, long-lasting durability, and great peace of mind for your entire household.

Let’s take a better look at the many undeniable benefits that asphalt shingles offer and see why they remain the top roofing choice for the majority of homeowners.

High Durability and Longevity

As you are probably aware or have experienced it first-hand, weather can have many negative effects on your roof, which is why choosing a weather-resistant shingle is a wise choice. At Fortified Roofing, we offer a variety of asphalt styles that include high levels of weather resistance.

Asphalt shingles are highly durable and resistant to all types of weather, which is why they’re known to last for decades. Their lifespan is around 30 years, but with regular maintenance and inspections, it can be prolonged.

Your shingles are likely to remain in top shape for a long time, provided that a reliable and trusted roofer performs periodic inspections and deals with the occasional wear and tear in a timely manner.

What’s important when choosing the shingles is to ask for your local roofer’s help when it comes to comparing different types and find the one that will be able to withstand the weather in your area.

Variety of Colors and Styles

Another reason why asphalt shingles maintain their popularity is that they are incredibly versatile when it comes to style and color. They can complement and enhance almost all types of homes and architectural styles.

No matter how large or complex your roofing system is, you can be certain that asphalt shingles will cover it seamlessly.

What’s also great about shingles is that they come in different kinds of designs that can even mimic the rustic and unique look of wood shakes, clay, or slate.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about asphalt shingles, but it is actually one of their great benefits.

When installing shingles, your roofer installs a whole system, including the underlayment, which, in turn, makes your home more energy-efficient.

You can even choose specially designed shingles in white or lighter tones that reflect a higher amount of the sun’s infrared radiation, which can significantly reduce the temperature of your roof’s surface.

High Value at Lower Cost

Did you know that asphalt shingles are among the most cost-effective roofing systems you could choose for your home? This means that you won’t have to break your budget for premium protection, as with them, you get high quality at affordable prices.

Compared to some other roofing products, shingles cost the least to maintain, repair, and renovate, as well as to tear off and dispose of when they’ve reached the end of their lifespan.

Asphalt shingles themselves and the entire installation process are also less costly than most other roofing materials on the market.

Ability to Withstand High Winds

High winds can present a serious problem almost anywhere, and your primary concern as a homeowner is that your roof stays put.

If the wind somehow manages to lift the roof up, water can easily sneak in underneath, which could leave you with a leaky roof. Luckily, innovations in asphalt shingle manufacturing nowadays have made it an even better product than it was merely years ago.

If high winds pose a concern in your area, be sure to have your roofing contractor check the manufacturer’s application guidelines and warranties. This is important because some manufacturers are known to offer high-wind limited warranties on even higher wind speeds.

No Complications and Structural Issues

Unlike some other roofing materials that are heavier and more fragile, asphalt shingles are light in weight, which makes them really easy to transport and install.

On top of that, and precisely due to them being lightweight, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll have to add any additional support structures or conduct modifications to your home’s roofing system.

It is most likely that your current structure will be able to carry the weight of asphalt shingles and fit in with their design seamlessly. This, in turn, will result in less maintenance than some other roofing materials and help keep the installation cost low.

Ease of Installation

Asphalt shingles are relatively easy to install, especially when you hire seasoned professionals for the job, such as your Fortified Roofing experts.

Our roofers will ensure that shingles are safely and properly installed, and you’ll also receive full warranties such as a workmanship warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty.

Unsurprisingly, quick installation and the warranties that come with asphalt shingles are among the biggest reasons why so many homeowners opt for them among a wide variety of other roofing materials.

Final Thought

Considering all of these unique benefits, it’s no surprise that the popularity of asphalt shingles is continually on the rise. They are an excellent choice for your home, as they are considered to be one of the most durable and reliable roofing products on the market.

If you’re considering getting a new roof and are thinking of choosing asphalt shingles, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your best local roof replacement company for help.

We will help you land on the best asphalt roofing option that will fit the style of your home perfectly and provide you and your family with the peace of mind that you deserve.

When it comes to a roof replacement, there’s no denying that this is one of the biggest home improvement projects any homeowner can take on. While getting a new roof is exciting and at some point, much needed, it can also be a bit stressful. Here’s why.

For starters, there are so many seemingly small details to consider that can end up playing a huge role in the success of your roof replacement project. And if you’re considering getting a new roof, there are probably a million questions going through your mind right now.

How do you find quality roofers who won’t let all your money go down the drain? Which materials should you choose? Can you go for a different type of material this time around?

Choosing a new roof for your home can sometimes be a time-consuming process because you want your new roof to meet all of your needs and wishes. It has to be high-quality, long-lasting, durable, beautiful, and preferably low-maintenance.

And with winter fast approaching, you want to be extra careful and completely sure that your new roof will also withstand all the harsh weather, freezing temperatures, and snow. You want it to provide you with complete comfort, safety, and peace of mind.

Luckily, there is a roofing solution that checks all of those boxes and that will undoubtedly prove to be the best choice for your new roof replacement this winter. And that solution is metal roofing.

And while roof installations are not very typical or frequent in winter, this might just be the best time for you. Your roof might also be very damaged and unable to survive another winter.

In this case, a roof replacement will be inevitable and here are 6 top reasons why you should choose a metal roof.