Buying a house is an exciting accomplishment. However, one thing you always need to remember during the process is that there’s more to a home than its interior design. Try not to let the stunning and staged décor influence your decision too much. Remember to take into account the state of repair outside, just as much as the layout of the kitchen or the bedrooms!

Instead of being distracted by the way the house looks, inspect the home for how it functions. You can always change the house to suit your visual preferences but neglecting important functions such as the roof and gutters will cost you in the long run.

If you’re serious about buying the house, it pays to be thorough during the inspection. A few simple maintenance checks can sometimes make the difference between buying your dream home and stepping into a costly nightmare.

With that in mind, here are some of the most overlooked yet important things to check out before purchasing a home.

The Roof: Ask how old the roof is, has there ever been roof repairs made, or if there was a whole roof replacement that has ever taken place. When was this and what local roofer did the work? It would also be beneficial to know which materials were used for the roof. Now would also be a time to learn if you could ever install a different type of roof to the home, such as a metal roof instead of shingles. The roof is the sole protector of the home, so make sure to have the inspector check for needed roof repairs or roof maintenance. If there are roof leaks or other damage that need immediate attention, try to have the current homeowners either fix the roof or come down on the price to account for the roof repairs that will be needed.

The Gutters: Gutters are an often-forgotten part of a house, especially during the excitement of buying a new property. Gutters are long, hollow devices that are attached to the roof. Gutters function on their own to provide a place for water to run off the roof rather than cause rain damage to your roof or damage your landscaping. Although gutters usually need replacing after 20 years, you still want to have them maintained and inspected periodically. Your home inspector and a roofing contractor can check this for you before signing on the dotted line.

Downpipes: Roof downpipes are different from gutters but have a similar function. Check that the roof downpipes run to storm water drains. Do a quick walk around the external perimeter of the home to check that all roof downpipes are discharging into stormwater soak wells and not just onto the ground. You should also look for any signs of past flooding or excess water flow around the roof downpipe bases, as this often indicates that the soak wells are not suitably sized or require cleaning out, which can cost an arm and a leg. Installing stormwater soak wells on an established property can be very expensive, as paving, concrete and garden beds may need to be excavated to install the drains.

Water Damage: Check the walls and ceiling for water damage. Sometimes you can miss these things if you focus too much on the outside of the roof rather than checking both sides. Water damage can cause mold which, in turn, can cause odors and in some cases serious damage to the interior of a home. Water damage to the ceilings and walls can be easily fixed if caught early on. So, make sure the inspector or roofing contractor knows to look for things both inside and outside.

A home is the most important and costly investment you will ever make. Water problems can be devastating to your home, causing damage to landscaping, doors, windows, fascia boards and even your foundation—one of the most expensive areas of your home to repair! Investing time in your roof, gutters, downpipes, and internal structures can save you lots of money in the long run when buying a home.



For top quality residential roofing services in the Middle Georgia area, contact Apex Roofing today for a free quote!