Buying a new house in Austin? Concerned about roof issues?
One good way to stay informed is to get a professional roof inspection. A roof inspection goes above and beyond the home inspection many buyers will get. An experienced roofing expert can uncover problems that a general inspector would easily miss.
Naturally, very few Austin homes pass an inspection with no issues at all. There’s always something that needs attention. Your goal as the prospective buyer is to decide whether the property is still worthwhile.
All kinds of things might come up in an inspection, but roof problems are some of the worst. Serious concerns with the roof can impact the comfort of your home and the safety of your family.
Here are your options if your roof inspection discovers defects:
- Accept the house “as-is” and plan for the necessary repairs
- Lower your offer by the projected cost of the roof repairs
- Ask the seller to hire a local roofing expert to fix the roof
- Walk away from the sale
Time To Walk Away From a New Home With a Bad Roof? How to Tell
Home and roofing inspections are usually done right before the buyer and seller agree to a closing date. Once that milestone is done, the buyer risks losing any deposit money if he or she misses the deadline – or chooses to walk away at a later time.
Let’s look at some of the major roofing woes you might want to walk away from:
1. Structural Damage
A good roof inspection should take into account the health of the wooden roof decking. The decking connects the roof to the structural elements of the home. Cracked roof beams are costly to fix. They may also disqualify the home under a mortgage lender’s rules.
2. Previous Water Damage
Signs of a roof leak can persist for many years even after damage remediation is done. If leaks occurred in the past, it’s important to get to the root. Damage to the home can be extensive, going well beyond the roof – there may be mold or even structural problems.
3. Roof Aging Out
Many roofing manufacturers claim their products will stand up for 30 years “or more.” Add in harsh Austin weather, however, and 20 is a much better estimate. Sometimes, your insurance firm may require a new roof simply because the new one is nearing the end of its service life.
4. Roof Not Up to Code
Building code changes tend to accumulate slowly over the years. Most times, existing structures are not required to be brought up to code. However, this can become an issue in buying a home and getting insurance if it turns out the roof isn’t up to current specifications. This can be the most severe setback, requiring hefty fees ... or even that the roof be replaced from scratch.
At Longhorn Roofing, we’ll give you the information you need to make an informed choice about any new home. To get started, contact us today.
