Fall is a magical time of year where we build campfires and the leaves begin to change, but with the changing season also comes increased threats to your roof. Hurricanes are especially problematic this time of year; and if you live along the coast now is the time to prepare your home for the potential for upcoming storms.

Coastal Living

While living beachside may be appealing nine months out of the year, the other three are can be quite challenging. High moisture and high winds are two factors that can quickly lead to roof damage. When a hurricane comes along, an already damaged roof is likely to lead to disaster.  Here is how you can prepare:

1. Inspect your roof before hurricane season starts. — Make sure your roof is in top condition before the storm rolls in.

2. Repair any missing or damaged shingles on the roof. — Having an already compromised roof can be the basis for denying an insurance claim down the road.

3. Take pictures and keep receipts of any maintenance work on your roof. — You are more likely to win your insurance claim if you can prove the roof was in good condition before the storm.

4. Consider purchasing a higher wind and water resistant roof material, like metal. — Metal roofs are more durable for coastal climates than traditional asphalt shingles.

Roofs come in all sizes and shapes. Flat roofs are not the most traditional of roof shapes among family homes, but they are used for some second floor deck areas and are popular in urban areas. Flat roofs come with a different set of risks and benefits than sloped roofs, all of which should be considered before purchasing a home with a flat roof.

Ups and Downs

One of the reasons flat roofs are attractive is that they are easy to install and  the roof materials to cover them are affordable. Because they lack pitch, or slope, a flat roof does not face the challenges of sloped roofs that require engineering efforts. Flat roofs also provide more useable space in the home, both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, a flat roof eliminates the extreme angles seen in sloped roofs; allowing for more all space and easier placement of structures like a fireplace. Outdoors, a flat roof can provide an area for decking or other types of outdoor living coverings.

Unfortunately, flat roofs do have their drawbacks. Unlike a sloped roof, flat roofs are more maintenance. Their lack pitch makes them prone to water runoff issues, which can lead to a greater need for roof repair or replacement. The life span of a flat roof can be much less than a sloped roof, unless special roof materials are used to ensure effective water drainage. Flat roofs also tend to accumulate more heat than a sloped roof. However, this can be avoided by the installation of a white roof system designed to reflect the sun’s UV rays and reduce heat absorption.

For homeowners, the roof serves to protect their home and keep the family safe from the elements. Rarely, does a homeowner give two thoughts to the roof until a problem arises. The problem with this is that roof damage can quickly spiral into bigger problems. The best approach to roof maintenance is a proactive one; and not just in terms of problems, but also in roof material upgrades.

Benefits Of The Best

Upgrading a roof can be done in several ways. Roof repair upgrades often involve some type of roof coating, which can significant lessen the need for replacement and even boost energy efficiency. White roof coatings are one example that provide reflectivity of the sun’s rays and keep the home temperature better regulated, saving the homeowner money in heating and cooling costs. The same is true for upgrading the attic insulation and underlying base roof materials.

New roofs can be upgraded by simply choosing a higher quality product or a recycled version of a traditional product.  Asphalt shingles now come in various qualities, each with different durability levels and warranty periods. A more durable product will last far longer than the bare essential product. Further, metal or slate tile roofs are more resistant to damage in most climates than as asphalt roof. The costs for installing a higher grade roof product are worth the money when the need for repair is reduced.

Buying a home can be a scary experience. With all of the considerations that need to  be made, often one of the most overlooked aspects of buying a home is the condition of the roof. Even if the inspection doesn’t reveal any major need for roof repair, there could still be issues that should be considered prior to buying the home.

Getting The Green Light

The average home buyer knows nothing about roofs or whether the roof of their home could need help unless there is obvious signs of damage. There could be water damage, mold, pests or even structural issues with a roof that are not visible to the naked eye. Before putting in an offer on a home do the following:

Ask the inspector for the full report on the roof’s condition. Often times a roof will pass  inspection, but still be in need of repair. Even if the roof damage is not a current threat, a single storm could result in major damage. Find out what the chances of needing repair are in the next two to three years and his estimate as to the remaining life of the roof.

Hire a roof contractor to perform an independent inspection. Roof contractors are more diligent in their inspection of a roof than a traditional home inspector. Not only will they be able to tell you the basics about the condition and age of the roof, they will be  able to tell you whether any repairs have been  made to the roof and if these repairs are holding up well. Most roofers charge less than $200 for a typical inspection, money well spent to have a professional evaluate the condition of your home’s roof.

Ask the previous owner for details about the roof. While the seller isn’t required to disclose non-essential information about the condition of the home or roof, they may be willing to share with you basic information. Find out when the roof was installed, whether it is still under warranty or if they have any paperwork from the original roofer that installed the roof. There is no guarantee that you will given this information, but it never hurts to ask.

Although the real estate market has been in turmoil for a while now, home investors haven’t lost steam. In fact, many people who “flip” houses for a living have found the foreclosure saturated market to be quite lucrative. However, not all home investors are out to produce the highest quality product and some cut corners in areas that could be costly for the buyer.

Cutting Corners, Adding Risk

The sole mission when flipping houses is to minimize cost and maximize profit. Unfortunately, this sometimes means skimping on materials and leaving out essential renovations. When it comes to roof repair or replacement on a home intended for flipping, more often than not the roof is neglected. What tends to happen on a home undergoing quick renovations for a quick sale is that the roof is patched to meet basic code requirements. If the home does get a new roof, it is often the bottom of the line and cheapest roof material. This leaves the buyer with some additional tasks to ensure they get a quality home.

If you are considering buying a renovated investment property or house that has been in foreclosure, make sure you look for the following:

• A detailed disclosure statement from the seller, which may discuss potential issues with the home.
• A sale history of the home to be sure the home hasn’t transferred hands more than twice in the last 90 to 180 days, this could be a sign of a bad investment track record.
• A warranty of any work completed, especially for the roof repair or replacement.
• A report from an unbiased inspector to ensure that the work was completely properly.

Solar roof panels have become an popular green roof solution that offers many economical and environmental benefits. As one of the world’s frontrunners in innovative ideas, Dubai is considering a bold move in the generation of power.

Powerful Moves

Dubai is home to many technologically advanced buildings, including a proposed solar village. The city also has one of the fastest growing energy consumption rates in the world, leaving the city with a million dollar problem. In order to compensate for the near 24 GW electricity habit, the city’s electric companies are actively considering buying back the power generated from residential and commercial roof buildings.

The city conducted a study last year to determine how much local businesses and private solar panel owners were generating for their own use. The average 5MW of electricity production quickly enticed city officials into crunching the numbers of revenue for purchasing the power back from residents and building owners. If approved, the leases on these solar roof materials is expected to significantly lower costs for the city, as well as bring a little money to the pockets of Dubai occupants.