As you walk through a house, it is easy to find minor problems as you look in each room and around the yard. What is not so easy is figuring out the condition of the house based on appearances alone. Full replacement of a faulty roof can cost you between $2000 and $12,000, but on the surface, it looks beautiful. The only way to be sure is to schedule an inspection.
Not all sellers will agree to pay an inspection fee, but you absolutely must have one done before you decide to purchase a home. It is better to know up front what repairs are needed so you can factor them into any pricing negotiations.
The Process
Roofing inspections are designed to locate any potential problems as well as estimate the remaining life. Inspectors look at the angles of the roof to determine how long water will take to evaporate. Ideally, an evaporation rate should be no more than two days. Inspectors also walk across the entire roof to check for weakened areas. Every inch of a roof needs to be corrected even those that are hard to reach. A good inspector will use binoculars if an area is unsafe. All construction materials are evaluated, and inspectors consider the time of construction, any replacements, and the material’s natural deterioration rate.
Potential Problems
If any problems are identified, you are allowed to request to see them. The most commonly found problems during roof inspections are:
• Loose or broken materials
• Blistered, curled or split shingles
• Improper air conditioning or swamp cooler installation
• Rusty metal
• Shingle pieces in the rain gutters
• Loose or corroded flashing
• Sagging between rafters
• Depressions near vent pipes
• Clogged Drains
Roofing Contractors
When installing roofing, it is recommended to get at least three different price estimates from roofing companies in Vancouver. You want to be able to compare the estimates as well as the materials that will be used by each contractor and labor roofing costs. Check out consumer reviews and ratings of the contractors you are interested. If you know anybody, who has used them previously, get their opinion. Gathering this data beforehand will let you know what to expect.
Before the Work Starts
If your inspection uncovers that roofing repairs are needed you need to make sure you also check the chimney before any work begins. The idea is to coordinate the work between the mason and roofing contractor so that their work will not interfere with what the other is doing. Timing and space issues are better resolved when they work together, so the repairs of one job do not detriment the other. This will only end up costing you more.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Once you have a new roof installed or the repairs are complete, you need to ensure you take care of it. Schedule certified inspections every two years. There are so many factors that can affect the life of a roof so depending on your location; reviews may need to be more often. The factors you need to take into account include severe weather damage, repeated exposure to direct sunlight and insulation issues. One side of your roof may be more vulnerable than the other, so make sure inspectors are aware of this and schedule their visits accordingly.
Cooper Roofing Vancouver
1285 W Broadway #600, Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
(604) 674-0319