Before You Write the Check...
What does the disclosure say?
In MD, the age and condition of the roof is a question. Not so in VA.
No matter. What's the age of the community and the house and of course the roof??
Unless the roof is one that typically has a longer life than that installed by most builders, use common sense.
Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988, serving home buyers in Loudoun County VA.
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It's not unusual to see new roofs installed on properties in subdivisions that
were initially designed for first-time home buyers. Some of these subdivisions are now 20 years old and in order to maximize profits, builders often installed twenty-year shingles. Typically, 20 year three tab shingles have a life expectancy of 17 to 20 years here in the middle Tennessee area.
Often times, when these older roofs are replaced, roofing contractors take shortcuts and the current homeowner, not being savvy to proper installation techniques, often wind up footing the bill for additional repairs long after the contractor has cashed the check. So much for buyer beware.
In this fairly new installation, the roofing contractor took several shortcuts when installing the shingles around the chimney chase. Chimneys are holes in theroof which can and will allow water to enter especially if the flashing is not installed correctly.
First of all, the applied tar and sealant along the edge of the chase and the composition shingle material was an indication that there was a problem. Properly installed flashing will prevent the need for any kind of sealant. Additionally, the better contractors will install either a chimney cricket or kick-out flashing to divert roof run-off away from the sides of the chase. Neither of these were installed.
The raised flashing on the front of the chimney chase was also a problem. It appeared as if the roofing contractor used to the original flashing instead of replacing it with new. The raised areas can allow wind driven water to seep under the exposed areas and seep into the interior of the house.
The solution was to have a roofing contractor further review the areas and initiate repairs that will conform to accepted industry standards. Better yet, have the roof inspected by an independent contractor or home inspector prior to writing the check. The money spent may save you additional expenses and grief down the road when you sell your property.The Complete Home Inspections Team
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