Congratulations on the decision to purchase your first home. This is a very exciting step and it is easy to lose sight of some of the less exciting things of the home buying process. Being a 2nd generation roofer, I want to point out why your roof is so important for your home and what you, as a first time buyer (or really new homeowner) need to know.
Find out how old the roof is. A shingle roof typically lasts around 20 years, older ones are going to have to be replaced soon. While shingles are a smart, inexpensive roofing material, it still will cost you a bit, and having just put down a bundle on your new home, you probably won’t want to keep paying more than you have to.
Tile roofs last longer; about 50 years for concrete tiles and up to 100 years for clay tiles, is what roofers usual will tell you. Regardless of how old the roof of your new property is, you should check -or have your local roofing professional do it- for roof damage. Shingle roofs can be weakened by excessive granule loss. Warped and missing shingles are also a bad sign that damage the integrity of the roof. Tile roof damage is harder to detect, because generally it is faulty underlayment that causes leakage, not the tile itself. But check for missing or cracked tiles nevertheless.
To get a better idea of the health of your roof, you should also ask the previous owner about paperwork regarding the roof. This will give you valuable information about when the roof was installed, repaired or what materials were used, along with an idea how much material and repair could come to in case the roof fails.
Ideally your roof will come with a transferrable warranty in which case the roofer who installed the roof or an insurance company will cover the cost of future damage during a specific period of time. If your roof does not have a transferrable warranty, investing in roof insurance might be a smart move.
Know your roofing materials. As stated above, different roofing materials have different lifespans, different price points and may experience different problems. Whereas shingles may break, because they deteriorate in the sun, foam roofs, if not properly cared for, can suffer from punctured membranes, pooling water, or unsightly staining. However, if properly maintained, a foam roof can last you forever, while being immensely energy efficient in addition to being a green roofing material.
How important green and energy friendly roofing options are, you will come to realize when you have lived in your home for a while and had a chance to evaluate your cooling bill. When the time comes to have your Arizona roof re-roofed, your roofing contractor can advise you on what materials are best suited for your home. While you might prefer the look of clay tile to shingles, your roofing structure may not be strong enough to support the additional weight. Or you want to replace your tiles with lighter colored tiles to deflect more sun and heat, and to have a roof that protects your home better from heat, hailstorms and more.
When it comes to roofing choices, the sky truly is the limit. Your local roofing expert can repair, maintain, service, and re-roof your home, install skylights, solar panels and more.
Don’t be frugal though, because you have spent a nice amount of money on your home. When you discover a roof leak, call the professional right away. If you let leaks linger they can cause a lot of damage to your home such as mold, electrical damage or even weaken your home’s foundation.
Keep us in mind for your next roofing project, we take pride in partnering with our clients and assisting them in making informed decisions about their roof. If you have questions or concerns or find yourself in need of affordable, quality roofing services, contact us today at 602-242-2706 or visit us online at http://www.arizonaroofrescue.com/. But most of all: Congratulations on your new home. Enjoy!
Published By:
Alan Monzon – Arizona Roof Rescue
6069 N. 57th Drive
Glendale, Arizona 85301
Office:Â 602-635-8650
Fax: 602-595-2704
