When inspecting a house to purchase, start from the top.

Household roofs play an important role in protecting your home from the weather, it therefore requires particular attention when purchasing, and here are some areas to be aware of:

• Iron roofs may rust with time, pay close attention to irregularities in roof colour as these may indicate rust damage that has been painted over


• Check for any rust marks along the valleys, gutters and down pipes


• Look for faded colour on concrete tiles, this may indicate the need for new sealant.


• Look for cracked mortar pointing along the ridge, hip and valley tiles.


• Check for any water or rust stains on the timber and eave linings beneath the roof line


• Check that down pipes are connected to a storm water pipe at ground level and not just left to discharge rain water at the base of the house.

Here are some tips to maintain your roof:

• Ageing roof tiles can have an unpredictable performance and quality, be careful of walking on any roof tiles as they may crack or break


• Concrete roof tiles in particular deteriorate with time, it is important to have your roof checked regularly by a professional and have a sealant applied.


• Clear any leaves from valleys, gutters and down pipes to prevent rust or overflow

If a roof appears in poor condition it can signal further maintenance issues throughout the house. A closer look at the whole building may be required by a professional to ensure that this neglect has not affected its core structure.

About the author:
To find a professional building inspector service visit http://www.inspectionangel.com.au

Jason Wier B.Eng (Building)
Principal Owner
Inspection Angel – Australia’s #1 Building and Pest Inspection Directory
http://www.inspectionangel.com.au


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