What New Homeowners Should Know About Their Roof.
Congratulations! You purchased your first home and have moved in! Now comes the fun and sometimes challenging part of homeownership.
Whether it’s repairing small things here and there, or cleaning out your gutters, being a homeowner requires hard work. Here, we can help you with several tips to help keep your roof maintained.
Pay close attention to the inspection report.
A home inspection is a crucial part of the home buying process. However, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of your new home and dismiss certain inspection items as being “not that bad.”
If your inspection report says that there are issues with the roof, then take them seriously and take them under consideration. Don’t think, “Well, this 20-year-old asphalt roof that’s starting to acquire algae will probably last another 5 years. It’s not that bad. Surely, I’ll have saved up all the money I need by then, right?”
That’s not to say you should never buy a house that needs a new roof. You should just be honest with yourself so won’t run into problems later.
Know your insurance policy.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover roof damages, but they may not cover wear and tear or damage that could have been prevented through maintenance. That means you’ll be fine if a hailstorm destroys a portion of your roof, but you may be in trouble if your Direct TV installer rips a hole in one of your shingles.
Learn what your deductible is. That will be very important if you ever must replace your roof through insurance. You’re probably going to have to put at least a little bit of money into roof repairs. Make sure you put money aside in your emergency fund to handle these issues. A roof leak could cause water damage to the rest of your home very quickly, so you never want to find yourself in a situation in which you don’t have the resources to make the fix that you need to make.
Know how to handle roof issues.
The more one knows, the more one will be able to control events. A new homeowner who is prepared and informed about their roof can better identify problems and help ensure their new home will protect them and provide a haven for their family to enjoy.
What should you do if you problem arises? Call a reputable roofer. Whomever you contract to fix these problems make sure you ask for documentation such as a license number, so you know it’s a reputable contractor. Check out our blog post on Choose the Right Roofing Contractor for help with what to look for. This should help you, the homeowner know more about your roof.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to US if you have any additional questions.
Whether this is your first home or your second home, it doesn’t hurt to be meticulous. Just bear in mind these things on what new homeowners should know about their roof and you’re all set.