Preparing a house for purchase, and then actually selling it, can understandably be a stressful experience for homeowners. Making upgrades and improvements to your property, uncluttering your house for showings, cleaning your home?there is much work to do, not to mention you might be simultaneously shopping for a new home as well. Amid all these tasks, the one that?s easy to overlook is the roof. After all, you might be more concerned about what the inside and ground-level exterior of your house look like, not what?s on top.

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Unfortunately, one of the first things that home inspectors check on is the roof. If there?s a problem up there, the appraisal value of your house is going to suffer. If the problem is big enough, the sale might fall through. Here?s a look at how your roof affects the appraisal value and salability of your home:

Solid Roof, More Value?and Vice Versa

A new or updated roof offers one of the best returns on investment of any home improvement you can make. One study pegs the ROI at 105 percent?impressive considering that most repair projects fall far short of recouping their initial value. Even if a new roof doesn?t pull in a full return, it still adds value to your house. First and foremost, it is simply more attractive to buyers. A new roof, especially in an older neighborhood, stands out on a listing. Potential buyers may be willing to overlook smaller details if they know the roof won?t be a concern for years or even decades. Moreover, your asking price won?t be viewed so skeptically if it includes a new or updated roof.

On the other side of the argument, a roof that is in need of repair or replacement can put a serious dent in not only your appraisal value but also the salability of your home. Look at it this way: A house that requires a new roof may be immediately viewed as a fixer-upper and command less at sale. Furthermore, as already stated, a bad roof can kill a sale, thus keeping your house on the market longer and ultimately affecting what kind of profit (if any) you return.

Appearance

Potential buyers? first impression of a house will be from the outside, as soon as they pull up in their car for an open house or just to get the information flier from the ?for sale? sign. If they see missing or mismatched shingles, gutters in disrepair, or a generally drab, old-looking roof, they might not be too optimistic to learn more about the house. This is definitely another case in which a new roof might not add a tremendous amount of appraisal value, but the lack of one can decrease your home?s worth. If buyers see a brand-new roof, especially if it?s slate or metal, they could already be bringing a positive attitude to the home before even looking at the info sheet or stepping inside.

Roof Warranty

If you take the bold, and smart, step of replacing an outdated roof before putting your house on the market, consider also purchasing an extended systems warranty to cover the roof. Most shingles come with their own warranty out of the box, but when the house is sold, that warranty doesn?t transfer to the new owners, meaning they would be on the hook if something with the roof failed. An extended systems warranty is transferrable, giving the buyer peace of mind that any problem with the roof would likely be covered. A warranty might not bring extra appraisal value per se, but it is an attractive add-on for potential buyers?an add-on that will increase salability.

Have you considered roof work before putting your house on the market?

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Some of the misconceptions that many homeowners may have about ?tin? roofs is that they are noisy, visually unappealing and heat absorbent. They do not realize that metal roofs possess many advantages and somewhat unknown benefits. The roofer Houston contractors know that metal roofs may not be the least expensive roofing material; however, it often becomes the least expensive over the years because it does not have to be replaced as often as asphalt shingles ? it looks more attractive as well. The following are a few great insights for all homeowners to know about metal roofs:

Metal Roofing ? Material

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It is simply not true that all metal roofs are made out of tin. They are tailor-made from a variety of metals such as galvanized steel, aluminum and copper. Galvanized metals are fabricated from alloyed steel and coated with zinc to make them rust-resistant. Aluminum is engineered to withstand corrosion and reflect ultraviolet rays to make the house cooler in the peak of summer. Copper is the longest-lasting of all metal roofing materials, although this material is very expensive.

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Metal Roofing ? Choices

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Each homeowner has different opinions when it comes to what type of roofing material they want to use on their roof. Some may prefer one that is extremely durable while other homeowners may feel strongly about the style and color of the materials used for their roof. With all of the choices that are available on the market today, many homeowners may have difficulty making a choice about what they really want on the top of their homes. A very important thing to note about metal roofing material is that they really bring many important aspects together ? durability, curb appeal and eventual financial savings. So homeowners should definitely consider metal roofing when looking at a new roof.

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Metal Roofing ? Advantages

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There are many advantages when choosing this type of roofing material. Some of these advantages include: rot and fire-resistant; lightweight in comparison to asphalt shingles; quick and easy to install; increased solar reflectance; versatility; and low upkeep cost. Additionally, metal roofing materials come in many different styles, colors and designs to match the roofs in each surrounding neighborhood. It is also noise-resistant when installed with a solid sheathing and insulation as well as energy-efficient.

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Metal Roofing ? Cost

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The one drawback of choosing metal roofing for a home is the initial price. These types of roofs are expensive in terms of up-front cost. It is a viable option if the homeowner plans to stay in their home for a long time as there is a high return on investment and increased savings due to a lower need for repairs and maintenance.

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If a homeowner is searching for roofing material and plans to stay in their home for an extended period of time, then metal roofing material is an excellent option. If unsure as to whether or not metal is a good choice for their roof, consider consulting with a roofer Houston contractor for an opinion. No matter what a homeowner may be considering for their rooftop material, it is important to validly consider metal roofs as they have more hidden benefits than one may think!

Stylish and Structurally Sound Options

In the past, standing seam roofing required extensive custom work, with hand-crimped seams that, while aesthetically pleasing, could drive labor costs for the project skyrocketing. Today, advances in technology within the roofing industry have resulted in a variety of cost-effective standing seam roofing options, ranging from affordable snap-together aluminum or steel to stylish custom copper designs.

Available in a wide range of colors, field-locked standing seam roofs are the most common. Metal sheet panels with molded edges are joined together in water-tight seams with a specialized locking tool. As one of the most durable and weather-tight residential roofing products in the industry, field-seamed roofing offers you a custom fit that withstands any kind of weather, from gusty winds to torrential rain.

Energy-Efficient Roofing Solutions

Standing seam roofing systems reflect light, helping to keep your home cool during hot and humid Texas summers. Creating a tight seal on your home, standing seam products keep heat from escaping through your rooftop in the winter as well. You?ll enjoy lower monthly heating and cooling costs. Offering a lifetime of low-maintenance protection, seamed roofing offers you long-term energy savings as well.

Call the Experts

gutter with downspout.

When ASAP ROOFING inspects a homeowner?s roof, one of their primary concerns isawater damagea? and not just damage to the actual roof, but also the home?s foundation. But a leaky roof isn?t the only thing that can lead to moisture causing the home?s foundation to deteriorate. Gutters, which are designed to channel water away from the foundation are imperative to protecting the structural integrity of your house.

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More often than not, if the roof has leaks, the gutters also become overstressed and damaged, resulting in clogs, holes and sagging. According to Jason Stutzman, director of home maintenance and repair for Brothers Redevelopment in Denver, ?Gutters are one of those things where routine maintenance and inspecting them can really prevent bigger problems down the road.?

So let?s take a look at the gutter problems that the specialists at ASAP ROOFING see most often, and just how they can be fixed.

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Clogged gutters

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Gutters can clog very easily, which makes this the most common problem. Factors such as frequency of storms, proximity of trees, and wind residue can all lead to gutters that will sag and pull away from the roof.a

Most homeowners can clean their own gutters quite easily, with the use of a ladder, scraping brush and garden hose. Once the gutters are flushed clean, this process should be repeated yearly.

If your gutters tend to clog more frequently than once a year, a great option to consider is gutter covers. These mesh screens, clip-on grates, and porous foam will help prevent accumulation of sediment in the gutters and the need for more frequent cleaning.

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Sagging gutters and disconnected gutters

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Hangers for roof gutters are important to support the weight of the gutter and should be spaced 24-32 inches apart. Spaced further than this and the fasteners can begin to pull away from the fascia of the home. Luckily, hangers are relatively inexpensive and generally cost $10 or less apiece, while the fasteners run about $1 each.

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Gutters with leaks and holes

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One of the simplest and least expensive gutter repairs, sealing leaky gutter joints can be accomplished by caulking the joint from the inside with a $5 tube of gutter sealant. Larger holes, on the other hand, will require a gutter patching kit at the hardware store, or a patch made from metal flashing.

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Improperly pitched gutters

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The purpose of pitching a gutter is to facilitate water flow toward the downspout. If you have standing water and your gutter is not clogged, it?s possible that your gutter is improperly pitched. Gutters should be pitched, or slanted 1/16 of an inch per foot.
To correct improper pitch, connect a chalk line between the peak and the downspout. You may notice that due to the shifting of your home?s foundation (which can be related to numerous factors) there may be spots where your gutter deviates from the downward pitch toward the downspout. Sometimes this problem can be fixed by bending the hanger and lowering the gutter. If this does not resolve the problem, you gutter can always be rehung to correct the pitch.

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Downspouts draining too close to the foundation

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Downspouts should extend at least 5 feet from the home, and more in cases where the ground slopes toward the home?s foundation. Gutter extensions ? which will prevent this problem ? attached to the bottom of the downspout are inexpensive and easy to install.

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Missing gutters

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Missing gutters obviously expose your home to significant water damage. Gutters that function properly are also often required by your homeowner?s insurance policy as an important preventative measure. There are numerous types of gutters that can be installed, including four-inch and five-inch.

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As always, ASAP ROOFING is committed to helping you find the best solutions for your home, including roofing, siding, insulation, and yes gutters. We are happy to help you repair your existing gutters, or replace the gutter system entirely ? just visit us atawww.asaproofing.com

Written by Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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For more information about ASAP ROOFING, visit http://asaproofing.com/

References:

http://www.houserepairtalk.com/f34/gutter-hangers-guards-9775/

http://www.amazon.com/Do-Right-First-Time-Homeowner/dp/0974937355/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357700395&sr=1-7&keywords=do+it+right+the+first+time