A vital part of any home and for that matter home inspections, your roof and its quality and age are vital when selling or buying a home.

Be prepared for questions about your roof or if you are the buyer, its important to ask the right questions. How old is your roof for starters? Age is often the most asked question and of course it is very important as it can be a major and I mean MAJOR cost when it comes to to replace. Warranties often come with certain types of roof that can be extended to the new owners.

There are many different types of roofing systems out there from metal, cedar shakes, asphalt shingles, hot tar and different kinds of roll roofing materials. Metal roofs are pretty much maintenance free and are typically not examined as closely as other types of roofs.

Shingle roofs are the most prevalent type of residential roofing systems out there. There are many things to look for when inspecting
your shingle roof:

Inspecting a Shingle Roof Checklistf

• curled up and rippled shingles - This is due to age and sun exposure for years.
• discoloration - can be a sign of wear from age or a mold that often grows over time and ruins the appeal of a home.
• missing tabs - The exposed half of many asphalt shingles often have tabs that wind has often blown under till eventually the tab breaks off. Existing shingles can be easily replaced by a roofer.
• Nail pops - heat often causes wood around roofing nails to push up causing small rises in the tabs of shingles. These can be easily fixed by a roofer.
• Roof Valleys - Can be either shingles or there can be exposed metal run down the valley where two roof planes come together. Be sure the metal is in good shape. This can be replaced but can be extensive and expensive to do.
• Drip Edge - Lack of edging often leads to rotten wood and potential leaks. Its not required, but is worth the small cost.
• Flashing - Most problematic cause of leaks. Often times it is installed improperly to begin with. Usually made of aluminum and found along siding, chimneys and possibly skylights.

Inspections of Hot Tar Roofing Checklist

Hot tar roofs and roll roofing are most often found in older row homes in the city. Usually they don't last quite as long as shingle or cedar roofing and maintenance such as painting should be done every 5 years for so to extend the life of your roof. When inspecting these types of roofs look for major cracks, low spots where water can potentially puddle and any soft areas. These problems should be closely examined as possible repairs.

Other roof elements that can come up during an inspection include chimney crickets(built up area behind chimney to deflect water), skylights, soil pipe covers and ridge vents. Be sure any existing ridge vents are securely attached. Ask if there is ice and water shield in crucial areas beneath the roof system, especially if the home is in a northern winter climate area.

Awareness is key for any roof inspection or preparing for one. Keep an eye out for the above mentioned items and buy or sell in confidence.