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Health & Fitness

Looking at homes for sale in Needham MA? Look at the Roof

Looking to buy any of the homes for sale in Needham MA or any other township? it’s the Roof system which provides the first bit of insight as to the condition of the home, even before stepping foot on the property. Is the ridge (top of the roof) straight? Are the shingles curling at the end? Is there green moss growing on the shady area of the roof? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes” then a more thorough inspection is needed inside the home.  This next installment in the Home Buyer Education 101 series takes a look a the home’s roofing system.

The roof’s structural integrity, maintenance and overall functionality should have a significant impact on home buyers evaluation of the property. A comprehensive inspection is well warranted before the home buyer signs a purchase and sales agreement on any of the homes for sale in Needham MA.

Looking for a straight roof ridge 

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The horizontal line at the peak of the roof is called the Ridge, its also the location at which both sets of rafters meet then travel down to the perimeter walls distributing weight ultimately to the footings below ground. When your looking at any of the home for sale in Needham MA it is very important to look for a ridge that is straight and level. When the homes ridge is concave or appears to be bent downward this is a sign that something is not right below. A solution could be as simple as fixing or replacing a missing support member in the attic to a much more complex remedy with the footings below the basement floor.

How old are the shingles

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Most homes for sale in Needham MA have asphalt shingles which come with a warranty. These warranty periods are usually a good indicator of the roof system’s life expectancy. If you see the corners of the shingles curling up, loose, or missing, it maybe a clear indication the roofing system has reached its end of life and are in need of replacement. Shingles that seemed to have buckled or popped up usually indicate that a nail has come loose which now allows a path for water to enter the home. A solution would be to simply have the the shingle tab renailed and a roofing sealant applied to the nail head and any hole.

Roof penetrations

Vent pipes should be checked for gaps, cracks and deteriorated rubber collars. Roof sealant and caulking used around vent pipes, satelite dishes, skylights etc. should appear intact and smooth. Also check the flashing around any fireplace chimney, this is an area of potential water penetration.

Leaves, branches and moss

Lets consider that the homes for sale in Needham MA  is built next to sizeable trees which overhangs the home and inevitably provides leaf accumulation on the roof. If the roofing system wasn’t properly maintained the leaves and branches eventially breakdown, forming dirt particles which get trapped between the granuals of asphalt. Have you ever seen a plant growing on top of a roof? By the way, plants have roots that can lift shingles and allow water to enter the inside of the home. Lastly, if the home has a tree which provides constant shade to a section of the roof, check to see if moss is growing in that area. Moss tends to breakdown shingles and provide a constant source of moisture to the wood sheathing below the shingle creating potential dry rot.

Is it Time for Replacement?

If you’re planning on purchasing any of the homes for sale in Needham MA keep in mind that most asphalt roofing shingles have a general warranty period of between 20 – 30 years. It’s always a good idea to ask the current home owner when the roof was last replaced.

As always it is highly recommended that a home buyer utilize the skills of a licensed Massachusetts Roofing contractor or Home Inspector before purchasing any Real Estate in Massachusetts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Roger Martin is a Real Estate Sales professional with over 20 years experience and knowledge as a Custom Home Builder.  Serving the Ashland, Boston, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Framingham, Lexington, Natick, Needham, Newton, Sherborn, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston areas.  If you have questions, comments or suggestion for future articles please feel free to contact Roger Martin at (p) 1.617.365.4311  (email) roger@realestateinmassachusetts.org or (blog site) www.realestateinmassachusetts.com

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