” width=”300″ height=”200″ />The life expectancy of the average roof varies between different roofing materials. Asphalt shingles have an average lifespan of 15 to 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years. Metal roofing material can endure normal weather conditions for 30 to 45 years, while concrete tile has an average life expectancy of 35 to 50 years. If your roof has surpassed its expected lifespan, it may be time to consider a roof replacement. If you are in the process of selling your home, you may be wondering if you should replace your old roof. Here is a look at some risks homeowners might face when selling their home with an older roof.
1. Home May Not Pass Inspection
One of the biggest risks that homeowners face when selling their home is inspection failures. While roof leaks and similar problems may not be evident to buyers, they will surely be spotted by experienced housing inspectors. During an inspection, the roof is thoroughly inspected to look for signs of damage and excessive wear. Loose or missing shingles, holes or gaps, the presence of mold growth, and standing water can all point to roofing issues that must be promptly remedied.
When purchasing a home, most buyers want to know how much longer a roof will last. If the answer they receive is that the roof has reached or surpassed its life expectancy, you may see the buyer pull out of the sale. If you wish to avoid losing a sale over the condition of your old roof, you may want to consider roof replacement. A new roof creates a positive selling point and can be a wise investment if you wish to sell your home fast and without delay. Roof replacement is a certain way to boost your home’s presentation and saleability.
2. The Lender May Refuse Financing
While your old roof may be just one component of your home, it is a large one. In fact, the roof is so important to the overall structure and stability of a home that a lender may refuse a buyer financing unless the roof is replaced. A lender’s refusal to finance is usually in the best interest of the buyer, as a home with a bad roof poses a major safety hazard. To prevent this type of issue from occurring, consider a roof replacement before putting your home on the market.
3. Could Impact the Final Sale Price
Replacing the roof of your home is one of the biggest upgrades you can make. It is also one of the most expensive. Many homeowners worry about their investment and whether or not they can expect to reclaim some of the money spent towards a roof replacement. Many experts agree that a new or updated roof offers one of the best returns on investment of any home improvement project. Even if a new roof does not offer a full ROI, it can still add substantial value to your house.
4. The Home May Not Be Insurable
Home insurance is a must-have for homeowners, no matter the condition of their roof. However, some insurance companies may refuse to renew existing homeowner insurance policies on homes with roofs that are more than 20 years old unless the home passes inspection. If your home fails inspection, the home insurance policy cannot be renewed until a roof replacement has been completed. Some insurers will refuse to write a policy for a home with a 20-plus year old roof and will only pay cash value for the roof replacement. This realization can be a big turnoff for many potential homebuyers.
Signs You Need Roof Replacement
Just because your roof is old does not necessary mean it needs to be replaced. Even with signs of damage, roofing materials that kept in pristine condition may only require repair rather than replacement. When determining whether or not you should replace your roof, consider if your roof possesses any of the following red flags:
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- Shingles that are cracked, curled, or missing. If your shingles are damaged or absent, it typically means that they have reached the end of their life expectancy and will need to be replaced.
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- Shingles that are wet or dark. This typically means that the shingles are trapping moisture. This can result in damaged materials as well as mold growth.
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- Excessive wear and tear. Look for signs of wear and tear around vents, chimneys, pipes, and other objects and openings in your roof. If caught early enough, this type of damage is often limited to a small area and can be repaired.
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- Presence of shingle granules in the gutters. If you find granules from asphalt or composite shingles in your gutters, it’s a sign that they have worn out. Granules typically appear as black, coarse sand.
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- Blistering or peeling paint. Look at the exterior of your home for paint that appears to be peeling or blistering. This is often caused by an increase in humidity, excess moisture, or poor ventilation.
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- Staining on interior walls and ceilings. Look for water stains or other signs of discoloration on the interior walls and ceilings in your home. Water damage is a sign that your roof has a leak and will need to be repaired or replaced.
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- Appearance of outdoor light in the attic. If you see light coming into your attic from gaps or openings in the roof, you must quickly replace it. These gaps can also allow water to invade your home causing significant damage.
- Sagging roof deck. If the rafters or decking in your attic begin to sag downwards you typically have a moisture problem. A sagging roof deck usually requires a roof replacement.
Contact Roof Replacement Contractors
Trying to sell a home that needs a roof replacement can be challenging. For more information about roof replacement or to schedule a roof inspection before putting your home on the market, contact professional roof repair contractors.