Most homeowners perform upkeeping tasks to enhance the look of their homes. These upkeeping tasks include mowing the lawn, trimming bushes and pressure washing the house and driveway. Maintaining your home improves your property’s condition and increases its curb appeal. However, roof maintenance is often overlooked because it can be challenging to determine your roof’s condition from the ground.
Your roof is essential for protecting your home. It keeps the outside from coming in, but if it’s in poor condition, it can’t effectively prevent nature from invading your space. Another reason to keep your roof in good condition is to increase your property’s value. Potential buyers consider your roof when deciding on their offer. Since your roof plays a vital role in selling your property, many homeowners wonder if they should replace their roofs beforehand.
How Much Value Does a New Roof Add to Your Home?
The first thing prospective buyers see is your home’s exterior. Deteriorating roofs can negatively affect your home’s resale value and result in the following:
- Lower offers: Buyers may subtract the roof replacement cost from their offer.
- Less or no offers: You may attract fewer buyers if your home isn’t move-in ready.
- Longer sales process: It may take longer to close on your property because buyers may want to lower the sale price or stipulate that you get a roof repair or replacement before they move in.
A new roof can prevent these negative effects. Additionally, a recent study found that a new asphalt roof increases a home’s value by $17,807 and offers homeowners a 61.1% return on investment.
Signs You Need a New Roof
Investing in a new roof comes with its share of upfront costs. However, if you need to replace your roof, the value a new roof adds to your home outweighs the costs. Here are some signs you need a new roof:
- Age: Shingle roofs last between 15 and 30 years, so if your roof is more than 15 years old, you may need to replace it.
- Missing shingles: If you’re missing shingles, consider a roof replacement. Shingles come off your roof when they and the adhesive weaken. However, if you’re only missing one or two shingles, you can replace them to repair your roof.
- Granules in gutters: Asphalt shingles have granules on their surface that create a barrier between them and the sun. These granules can loosen and fall off, so finding some in your gutters is normal. However, if there are many granules, you might have a problem. Without the granules, the sun will overheat your shingles, causing them to cup, curl and warp.
- Shingle pieces in your yard: Finding chunks of shingles in your yard can indicate that your roof is deteriorating.
- Sagging roof: Sagging occurs due to structural damage below your roofing material. A professional must remove your roof’s shingles and plywood so they can find the problem and fix it.
- Cupped, curled or clawed shingles: Cupping and curling is where the shingle ends peel away and point upward. Clawing happens when the middle of the shingle lifts up, but the ends remain on your roof. Any of these could indicate your roof is nearing its end.
- Water damage: Water damage in your home alerts you to a poorly functioning roof. Leaks won’t go away, so a professional should inspect your roof to determine the problem.
- Cracked shingles: Cracks on shingles are tears that occur due to temperature fluctuations. They can tear further and cause leaks or structural damage.
Roof Replacement Options
There are various roof replacement and repair options to meet your needs. Your choice will depend on your budget and the roof’s condition. The different repair and replacement options include:
- Shingle replacement: If your roof’s structure is sound, but you’re missing a few shingles, a professional can replace them.
- Tear-off: With a tear-off roof replacement, professionals replace old shingles with new ones. Tear-off roof replacements allow professionals to inspect your roof for damage. Also, the roof is of higher quality, and the shingles last longer because they’re attached to your home’s structure. And a total roof replacement is a big selling point for potential buyers.
- Partial re-roofing: A partial re-roof is an excellent option if only a section or two need replacing. However, you can only do it a few times before your slope becomes uneven. When that happens, you must get a roof replacement to fix it.
- Roof over: This method involves installing a new roof over your old one. It is a new roof, so you can market it as one. A roof over is best if your roof is cosmetically damaged, but the structural integrity is sound.
Should You Replace Your Roof Before Selling Your Home?
Purchasing a new roof is always a good investment, but if you’re selling your home, you may worry that your buyers will reap the benefits instead of you. You can determine if replacing your roof is worth it after considering these five factors:
- The market conditions: General housing market conditions affect the value of your home renovations. You can ask your realtor and appraiser to learn the current market conditions and how much value a roof replacement might add.
- Your Existing Roof’s Condition: Prospective buyers expect your roof to be well-maintained. If your roof is in poor condition, they will be less likely to purchase your property. Most people don’t have the money for significant roof repairs after buying a new house. So, you want to ensure your roof looks aesthetically pleasing and has many years left.
- The shingles you choose: You can choose among various types of asphalt shingles, and each will increase your home’s value by a different amount.
- Your budget: If you know you need to replace your roof, you can choose between a tear-off and a roof over to meet your budgeting needs.
- The timeline: Consider whether you have enough time to replace your roof before selling your property.
Replace Your Roof With AmeriPro Roofing
Selling your home is already a big decision, but deciding whether to replace your roof before selling is equally important. It can be challenging to determine your roof’s condition from the ground, which is why you should schedule a complimentary inspection with AmeriPro Roofing.
A roof inspection will tell you the condition of your roof and how much time it has left, so you can make an informed decision to repair or replace it. We have many years of experience in the industry, and our team is well-known for our attention to detail, reliability, skills, quality workmanship and friendliness. So, if you decide to upgrade or repair your roof, you can rest easy knowing you’re receiving the highest quality service and materials with AmeriPro Roofing.
