Tips on roof damage in Boston
Hearing the words, âYou have roof damageâ is a homeownership nightmare. Your roof is one of the most valuable structures that make up your house.
Nearly every potential home buyer, insurance company, and lender will want to know what kind of shape your roof is in.
If you have damage, itâs best to get it fixed as soon as possible if you donât want to lose equity in your home.
Here are a few serious questions to consider: How do you know you have roof damage? What are the signs of damage? How do you fix a roof? How much will the repairs cost?
All heavy questionsâsometimes with scary answers.
Weâre going to give you some tips on how to approach this homeownership pitfall in Boston and explore what options you might want to use to get out from under a subpar roof.
Signs of winter storm damage in Boston
If you hear the words snowpocalypse on the news, you could be in for some winter storm damage.
Deep snowdrifts may be a thrill for Boston kids and adults alike, but theyâre not something you want sitting on top of your house.
Not clearing heavy snowfall and ice from a roof appropriately is a surefire way to mess it up.
According to the website HomeAdvisor, heavy snow and ice accumulation will add weight to your roof. The additional pressure can quickly damage your gutters, shingles and damage the roofâs underlying structure.
As the snow and ice melt, you might find water leaking into the interior of your house.
The water can slowly seep through your shingles, damage the roof, damage your insulation, and drip into the rooms below. So, if you see leaks after a winter storm, itâs a safe bet your roof needs attention.
Also, watch out for ice! Sometimes leaks might be caused by melting ice that refreezes into ice dams running along the edge of your roof, into downspouts, and gutters.
HomeAdvisor says ice dams compound the threat posed by melting snow because they block snowmelt from safely flowing over the sides of the roof.
In consequence, the water can form pools on top of your house, seep into your shingles, and then drip down into the interior of your home.
You can prevent this kind of damage by hiring a professional contractor to climb up onto your roof and clear the ice and snow away.
HomeAdvisor suggests you hire a professional because working on roofs is dangerous. A standard snow shovel or other tools you might have readily available can also do more damage than good.
If you damage your roof during DIY maintenance, you could void any warranty from the manufacturer. Professional roofers also should have an experienced eye that helps them find other problems you wouldnât notice.
So you might as well be proactive. Itâs better to be safe than sorry.
Other signs of roof damage in Boston homes
Long Home Products says you should be on the lookout for uneven, curled, loose, or torn shingles on your roof.
Shingles in that condition wonât defend your roof from water damage, and if you have missing shingles, youâll want to get them replaced.
Clean your gutters at least twice a year and look for pieces of roofing material while youâre up there. If you find some, thatâs a sign your roof is deteriorating.
You should have a thin material, usually galvanized steel, installed around features of your roof like chimneys and skylights.
The material is called flashing. It helps prevent water from seeping into your roof. Rusted or missing flashing is a bad sign and could indicate deeper issues.
How much do roof repairs cost in Boston?
HomeAdvisor says a Massachusetts roof repair can cost between a few hundred and thousands of dollars depending on the extent of the damage.
The contracting service estimates repairing your roofâs shingles would generally cost around $575. However, replacing an asphalt roof after ice and snow damage could cost up to $6,000.
Consider selling your house for cash.
Preventing roof damage and repairing any you already have is the best choice if you want to protect your home value.
Most traditional home buyers, banks, and insurance companies are going to steer clear of a house with a damaged roof, or theyâll make sure you pay for it one way or another.
If you need to sell your house and canât afford an expensive roof repair, sell to We Buy Ugly HousesÂŽ Boston.
Weâre the premier home buyers in the area, and we can buy a house with a damaged roof.
Did we mention we pay cash? We can buy fast, and we can even pay typical closing costs.
If you need to sell a house with a damaged roof in Boston, call 866-200-6475 or leave your phone number on our online form.
