Posted by lightingblue | Posted in Home Improvement | Posted on 26-05-2011
This is a guest post by Conrad van Coller, a versatile writer conversant on home improvements, currently freelancing for clients such as Bankwest, an Australian home loans provider.
There are few things that will turn a potential buyer off a property like a leaky roof. Even a small leak can cause tremendous damage to your property over time and in many cases the leaks are not detected before major repairs are necessary.
In warm climates, leaky roofs can damage the structure of your home with rot that destroys plasterboard walls and ceilings. In cold climate the repeated freezing and thawing can turn a small leak into substantial crack. Water damage is often accompanied by mould that can be hazardous to your health, especially to children, the elderly and people suffering from chest problems. It is therefore very important that before buying or selling a home you make sure you are aware of the condition of the roof.
The easiest way to do so is to call in the experts. Your local real estate agent will have a few reputable and reliable home inspectors, roofers and general contractors on record and will be glad to pass along their details. It may be tempting to avoid the extra effort and peer into the roof with a flashlight to satisfy yourself but small leaks are notoriously difficult to spot, and the experts will know what to keep an eye out for.
After you have a report from an expert, you will be able to make an informed decision. The leak may be small enough to repair relatively cheaply or it might require a substantial repair that can cost thousands of dollars. If you are considering signing up to mortgage or home loan, it is crucial that you factor in these costs so you don’t over commit yourself financially.
If it looks like some work is necessary, be sure to get a few detailed quotes from different contractors. Your particular leak could be repaired in a half a dozen different ways so it pays to ask around to get the best deal. It is also important to ask your chosen roofer for references so you can call up people they have worked for previously, as well as for their licensing, insurance and warranty information. These steps are very important as they are designed to protect you from unscrupulous or incompetent companies and if the people you are dealing with are not forthcoming with this information, consider taking your business elsewhere as fast as you can.
Finally, and somewhat paradoxically, some homes just leak. Skylights especially have a tendency to develop annoying leaks that may not cause any damage at all. Any roofer you run into will have stories of an invincible leak that couldn’t be fixed no matter how much time and money was spent. The key point here is that if you know about it you can make an informed decision, be it to invest and try to fix it or check on it periodically with preventative maintenance.
A leaky roof may be a nightmare for a realtor or homeowner but like most other home maintenance problems, moving fast and getting professional advice will stand you in good stead. Make sure to ask for references, a detailed quote and licensing and insurance information so you have all the information you need to make a smart decision in your best interests.
