Roof assessment and drainage system are among the most valuable observations a home inspector can provide for a prospective home buyer in the pre-purchase inspection report. Judgments on when to replace a roof can affect negotiations and planning.
The primary reasons for replacing a shingle roof include:
Age. Standard-weight 3-tab shingles that have been on a roof for 15 to 20 years may be due for replacement. Heavier laminated shingles generally have a somewhat longer service life. The roof slope is not steep enough. Use a different material instead of asphalt shingles on low-slope roofs. Generalized deterioration. Many damaged shingles can cause roof failure. Signs of damage include cracking, curling, and worn minerals. The manufacturer’s warranty can attribute widespread cosmetic defects to manufacturing defects. Someone has not installed the materials properly or the materials are not good enough, so the roofs can fail. This can cause leaking or the shingles to fall off during windy weather. Storms can damage large areas and cause leaking or breakage of the surface.
Re-Roof or Repair?
If the roof isn’t too old and replacement costs aren’t adequately covered by the warranty, it may make more sense to address leaks and localized cosmetic issues on a spot-repair basis. At the same time, a new roof may be a better financial option than annual repair bills as new problems continue to arise.
If the homeowner chooses re-roofing, a contractor may offer to provide a quote for replacing the gutters and downspouts along with their re-roofing proposal. These projects can go hand in hand, but they don’t necessarily have to.
What Homeowners Should Know About Gutters and Downspouts
Damaged gutters and other drainage accessories necessitate replacing them, as with roofing. Damaged gutters and other drainage accessories necessitate replacing them, as with roofing., which was a good reason why the existing roof drainage system was not properly designed.
Most roof drainage systems that have been on a home for more than a few years show signs of deterioration and/or deteriorating functionality. Common signs include:
- sagging gutters;
- twisted gutters;
- popping gutter fasteners, sagging and twisted brackets, and gaps between the fascia and the back of troughs;
- water frequently spills over the edges;
- the pitch of gutters is not directing water to the downspouts;
- leaking is occurring from gutter end caps and other joints;
- there’s leaking at the joints at the downspouts;
- discolored gutters;
- damaged finish;
- there is rust or other signs of oxidation; and
- there’s saturated, eroded, or collapsing soil within 5 feet of foundation walls.
None of the issues listed above—either by themselves or in combination with others—indicates gutter replacement. One should choose who should perform repairs and how to approach them depending on the material the gutters are fashioned from.. And, of course, it’s prudent to do a little troubleshooting to determine the cause of any particular problem, if possible.
Specialists Recommended for Steel and Copper Gutter Installation
If your steel or copper gutters need repairing or replacing, it’s best to seek help from a knowledgeable sheet metal contractor. They can use special tools and equipment to make the proper repairs. Remove the rust and repaint the gutter to fix usually rust spots on your steel gutters. This won’t weaken the gutter.
More Homeowner Tips
If your steel or copper gutters need repairing or replacing, it’s best to seek help from a knowledgeable sheet metal contractor. They can use special tools and equipment to make the right repairs. Remove the rust and repaint the gutter to fix usually rust spots on your steel gutters. This won’t weaken the gutter. Gutters age over time with humidity and temperature swings, just as a roof’s shingles do, so keep them clean and unclogged to reduce extra weight in them.
For conventional open troughs, clean leaves and other debris at least twice annually, in spring and in fall. Check and adjust the fasteners while you’re at it.
Certain brands of one-piece gutters with formed-in leaf guards have good track records. They come with a lifetime warranty and cost two to three times more than conventional gutters. Manufacturer-trained technicians must install this type of product. It’s not usually sold by roofing contractors.
Sizing Gutters and Downspouts
page inside basement walls, a depression in the soil directly below the gutter, and eroded or collapsing soil within 5 feet of the foundation walls can indicate issues that may require redesign or replacement of the roof drainage system.
Some of the causes include:
The gutters and downspouts may be too small to handle the runoff volume from a broad steeply pitched roof. The pipes that carry rainwater may not be in the best spot or there may not be enough of them for the size of the roof. The ends of these pipes may not be far enough from the house.
Level Up Home Inspections performs home inspections all over North Texas. Call us today and check out the Level Up difference. 214-210-3576 Dallas Home Inspections, Mesquite Home Inspections, Rockwall Home Inspections, Forney Home Inspections.
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