Selling a House: Should You Repair It or Sell As-Is?

selling a house

Putting your house on the market means taking into consideration several factors that could help facilitate the sale. Foremost in your mind when selling a house is the necessity of making repairs to make your home more attractive to serious buyers.

The condition of your roof has a direct impact on the price you can ask when selling a house. However, since repairing or replacing your roof is a huge expense that could reach thousands of dollars, you have to thoroughly consider if the expense is worth the extra price you will get.

A roof in poor condition will cost a lot of money to repair. A buyer will most certainly cite it as part of the negotiating points in a sale. A poor roof condition will naturally call for a lower house price. However, replacing the roof does not mean you can get back 100% of what you spent.

Be Updated

Your first step is to get an updated status of the current condition of your house, the real estate market and current sales transactions. You can also seek the services of your local service provider for an inspection of your house. Do this before putting up your home for sale. This way, you will learn if there are potential issues with your roof that could get in the way of a sale.

If a roof issue is revealed, talk to several roofing contractors to get an estimate of the costs for a roof repair or replacement. Ask several contractors to submit price quotations to give you an idea if you can afford the cost. Should you decide to sell as-is, it will give you an idea how much to adjust your asking price.

One advantage of spending money to fix your roof is that your house will sell faster. Buyers will be more impressed if the house is well-maintained.

Selling As-Is

If you have no budget for a roof fix or lack the time for it, you can sell your house as-is. A big disadvantage to this approach is that it could potentially lower the price of your house. This is where knowledge of the current market and comparable house prices will prove valuable. If you are in a competitive market, you can still sell your house at a good price since buyers tend to overlook minor roof maintenance issues.

Note that when the buyer is using financing to purchase the house, roof issues could affect the consummation of the sale because some lenders require a good roof as a condition for loan approvals. So keep this in mind when selling to a buyer through financing.

Your Decision

Deciding whether to sell your house as-is or make roof repairs/replacement first depends on you since every situation is different. Just weigh your options based on the factors we listed above as guide.

Ask Yourself These Questions in Roof Repair Memphis

roof repair memphis

Whatever may be the cause of your roofing system’s failing performance, you have to make remedial measures as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your roof, which leads to costly repairs or replacement. Before undertaking any roof repair Memphis work, ask yourself these questions to ensure that you will not be wasting your money on unqualified contractors, sloppy work quality or unforeseen costs.

What are the qualifications of the contractor?

The role played by roofers is vital because even a good roofing material will prematurely fail if it was not installed properly. Check the credentials of your contractor and its track record before signing a contract.

Will your contractor be using containers for the refuse?

Discarded materials from the old roof such as broken shingles have to be taken down and put someplace. Your contractor must have containers for these things so you need not have to worry where to put them after the project is completed.

Are there contingent plans in case the weather acts up during work?

Despite today’s advancement in technology, the weather remains unpredictable at times. Your contractor must have systems in place to deal with sudden downturn of the weather.

Should I remove my old roof?

While it is alright to put a new layer of roof over the existing one, there are cases when the old roof should be removed before installing new one. If rotten wood frame or soft spots lie underneath the roof, they have to be replaced or fixed before you put on a new roof otherwise you will be facing costlier problems in the future.

Will there be an onsite point person?

There must be a project manager on site who can answer your questions. Projects rarely run smoothly without glitches. Once they happen, there should be someone on site whom you can talk to and discuss the problems.

What are the future uses of the roof?

Some people install solar panels on the rooftop or vegetation to make a green and eco-friendly roof for their houses. While these are good decisions, homeowners could have saved money and time if they took into consideration these uses when they first built or renovated their house.

Will the contractor be using ladder stabilizers or standoffs?

Your roofer should be using these equipment when installing new roof over your house to protect the gutters. Without them, your gutters will be taking the brunt of the weight of the extension ladders, which can weigh up to a few hundred pounds.

Product Review: Ridgid R175RNE 15-Gauge Roofing Coil Nailer For Roof Repair Denver

Makita AN453 Roofing Coil Nailer

A pneumatic nail gun is a popular tool used in roof repair Denver. It uses compressed air to drive nails into surfaces in less time than it takes to hammer them. Nail guns save roofers a lot of time since they drive nails faster and more efficiently.

We looked at one of the pneumatic coil nailers in the market today – the Ridgid Model R175RNE 15-Gauge Roofing Coil Nailer- and reviewed its features and customer feedback to help you decide if the product is a worthy addition to your roofing tools.

Special Features

The product boats of several special features to make its use easier and more convenient, one of which is the transparent magazine cover. The clear view design gives the user a real-time update of the nail supply inside the chamber, thus eliminating guesswork on the number of nails left.

It has a replaceable nosepiece with carbide inserts that effectively extends the tool’s life and lightens maintenance work.

This model of the Ridgid Coil Nailer is built with a selectable trigger that gives the roofer an option to use either contact fire mode or sequential fire mode for precise placement of nails and increased productivity.

Other Features

Other features found on the Ridgid Coil Nailer include:

  • Full Strike and Fasten Edge Technology that creates maximum air power in a compact size.
  • Dry-fire lockout design to prevent misfires and lengthens the life of the motor.
  • A magnetic holder that prevents dropout of the last nail in the magazine and promotes easy loading of nails.
  • A removable shingle-guide adjustment for precise placement of shingles.
  • EZ load design for quick reloading.
  • Plate guards to prevent accidental sliding of the tool on roofs and protect against abrasive surfaces.

User Feedback

As good as the tool is, negative comments by people who bought the product can still be found. One user’s complaint is directed not against the product itself, which the user found to be excellent, but on its poor warranty registration.

Despite what the manufacture says about its lockout design to prevent misfiring, a user experienced misfiring after using the tool for an hour. Tweaks and adjustments made by the user did not correct the flaw.

Complaints were also made against the durability of the product. The plastic pieces of the tool broke into pieces after it was dropped. Since accidental dropping of tools is an expected and inevitable occurrence on any roofing job, the seemingly-fragile condition of the product is definitely a minus factor.

Based however on another customer feedback, particularly people who have used the product for years, durability and functionality are not an issue. They expressed full satisfaction over their purchase and use of the product. Overall, we give this product a positive rating that would deliver value for its price.

Factors to Consider In DIY Roof Repair Los Angeles

roof repair los angeles

Several benefits and advantages are available to homeowners who decide to do their own roof repair Los Angeles instead of hiring professionals to do the job. There’s the absolute control over the time and schedule when the repairs will start and end. Then there’s the total control over the result of the project. In addition, there’s the savings on money that would otherwise have been spent for contractors’ fees.

However, do-it-yourself (DIY) roofing repairs in LA are not for everybody. A lot of people mistakenly think installing new roofs involve nothing more than nailing down some shingles on the roof. A properly-installed roof is actually a complex work consisting of various components that are integrated to keep the elements away and protect the structure.

Safety Considerations

Safety is paramount in all kinds of construction work, including roofing installation and repairs. You have to consider several safety issues before deciding to take on this work yourself. One neglected aspect of roof repair is using the correct tools and equipment to do the job. You must also be properly attired such as wearing safety boots and goggles to prevent personal injuries.

It takes professional roofers years of training and experience to learn their trade. They spend years knowing how to safely walk on the roof, handle and install materials properly, identify risks while working on the roof and keep themselves safe, and comply with government regulations.

Roofers spent so much time on the roof that they develop instincts against risks present on the site. They learn how to walk around properly and avoid danger areas while comfortably performing their work.

If you are uncomfortable going up the ladder and walking on high places carrying supply materials, DIY roofing may not be suited for you. Roofing work is physically labor-intensive, particularly if you are going to remove the old roof first before installing new materials.

Risks Against Benefits

One of the reasons homeowners undertake to do DIY roofing repair is to cut down on costs. Contractors’ fees admittedly make up a significant portion of roof installation costs. Estimating the cost of roofing job is not a straightforward method – it involves taking into account different factors such as removing and disposing the old roof, installing new materials, performing structural repairs if necessary, and equipment rental. The roof size, its slope or angle and the kind of roofing materials you will install are also considered.

Homeowners must carefully weigh the relevant risk against the savings and control over the project that they have in deciding whether to repair their own roofs. In case of doubt, consulting and hiring professional roofers will always be the best option.

Rust-Oleum Leak Seal Flexible Rubber Coating for Arizona Roofing

Rust-Oleum-for-Arizona-roofing

Roof leaks and cracks are inevitable regardless of the material that you used on your Arizona roofing. Defects in workmanship, poor material quality and deterioration through time are common causes of leaks. Fortunately, the market is flooded with roof repair products that seal cracks and prevent leaks.

The Rust-Oleum Leak Seal Flexible Sealant

One of the best-known products out there is the Rust-Oleum Leak Seal Flexible Coating. It is a rubberized utility coating that instantly seals leaks. It is convenient to use because you do not need a brush or trowel to apply it on the roof – you only have to spray it on the affected part of the roof, and it will do its work.

How It Works

It works by filling and sealing cracks to provide a watertight seal that effectively prevents water penetration and corrosion. It maintains flexibility despite being exposed to temperature fluctuations and Ultraviolet radiation. The product can be used on practically all types of roof surfaces, including vinyl, metal, plastic, concrete and PVC.

Leak Seal may be used other than repairing roof leaks. It has been proven to be effective when used to seal leaks on sun roofs, vents, gutters, ductwork and fountain cracks. Its other uses include sealing leaks on air conditioner drip pans, downspouts, concrete foundations and pipes.

Once sprayed on the surface, Leak Seal dries to a semi-smooth firm black finish that does not drip or sag. Coating it over with latex or alkyd-based paints are allowed.

How Customers Rate It

It is not surprising that customers’ feedback on the Leak Seal is consistently favorable. Those who bought the product used it on different surfaces with the same positive result. It was sprayed on a fountain and worked perfectly – the customer did not notice any peeling or chipping. Leak Seal was also sprayed to stop leak on the toilet flooring. It produced a watertight seal.

Another customer who bought the product used it on the leaking sunroof of his van. Despite the movement and vibration of the vehicle and an onslaught of rain that fell 24 hours after Leak Seal was applied, not a single drop was noted inside the van.

The trust that people put on this product is exemplified by a customer who bought the Leak Seal as a tool to use in an emergency, or those situations when leaks could occur at the most inconvenient times.

Based on the confidence and positive reviews given by customers on the product, Leak Seal is undoubtedly a clear winner in instantly and conveniently repairing leaks.

How to Successfully Repair Cracks in Concrete Miami Roofing

miami roofing cracks

Cracks in concrete commonly happen during construction. The causes for these cracks vary as well as the resulting cracks. They may be caused by mixing too much water or extreme heat that affects the surface of the concrete.

Several methods are available to repair cracks in concrete Miami roofing. You just have to choose the best solution for the cracks.

Evaluating the Cracks

The first step is evaluating whether the crack is active or dormant. Active cracks move and grow such as those produced from continuing foundation settlement. Dormant cracks do not grow, and future movement is not anticipated.

Generally, active cracks need flexible materials for repair and special considerations for future movements. Dormant cracks can use either flexible or rigid repair materials.

The nature of the crack must also be considered, which are typically divided into three categories: Those that require repair to restore structural integrity; those that require sealing and lastly, those that require improvement in appearance only.

Different Repair Techniques

After taking these steps, you are now ready to make actual repairs on the cracked concrete. Some of the repair methods are:

  1. Stitching and Doweling. Stitching works by drilling holes on opposite sides of the crack and installing metal staples with short legs across the crack. Doweling works similarly but instead of using U-shaped metal staples, straight steel dowels are used and placed at a 45-degree angle on the length of the crack.
  2. Dry Packing. This is ideal for dormant cracks as it is very economical. It consists of opening the crack to a certain depth and width of around one inch. A commercial bonding agent is poured on the expanded crack topped by low-water content cement mortar. Tamping the mortar forces it to enter the pores of the concrete for that tight and durable repair.
  3. Polyurethane Injection. This repair method could be used for wet and leaking cracks. The primary purpose of this type of repair is to stop water leaks. A reactive resin is injected into the crack, which when combined with water forms an expanding gel that effectively seals the crack.
  4. Epoxy Injection. It bonds cracks together and brings back concrete integrity. The method involves pressure-injecting epoxy on holes drilled on the concrete at regular intervals. The crack must be dormant and not leaking for epoxy to work properly. The presence of water reduces the effectiveness of epoxy.
  5. Routing and Sealing. This repair involves enlarging the crack and filling it with sealant. It is one of the most economical ways to repair cracks, whether they are fine or large. It can seal both dormant and active cracks, depending on the sealer used and sealant reservoir.

Things to Avoid During Mobile RV Repair

rv-roof-repair

A well-maintained recreational vehicle gives you several years of fruitful and enjoyable service. Regular inspection and maintenance works are the keys to prolonging the life of your RV. Unfortunately, the roof receives only a little attention from owners because they seldom go up to check its condition.

Long miles of travel under different weather conditions could exact a toll on the roof condition of your RV. Even if we constantly observe regular maintenance schedule, time comes when we have to make necessary mobile RV repair.

When you have to make a repair work on your RV roof, avoid committing what we listed below to make your mobile RV repair experience a pleasant and not an expensive one.

Things to Avoid

1. Use of Harsh Chemicals

Never use harsh chemicals on an EPDM rubber roof. They, along with petroleum-based and abrasive products, can damage your rubber roof. A mistake could mean replacing the entire roof.

2. Using Just About Any Roofing Material

Never use any product that is not specifically suited for RV roof use. Sellers of rubber roofs for homes may or may not carry products for RV roofs. Rubber roof membranes for RV are different from those used for homes. They are generally flexible to withstand vibrations and shaking.

3. Not Checking the Sealant Used

Most RV today use rubber roofing membrane, fiberglass and vinyl. Rubber roofs are either Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) or Thermal Poly Olefin (TPO). If you are going to apply sealant on your rubber roof, use the right type of sealant for the rubber surface of your RV. Using the wrong sealant would not only cost you more money but require more work. For instance, a silicon sealant should not be applied to a rubber roof because it will peel off easily.

4. Non-Observance of the Proper Cleaning Procedure

Thoroughly clean the roof before doing any repair. Do not use cleaners that contain abrasive materials, citrus ingredients and petroleum solvent as these cleaners could cause permanent damage to vinyl and rubber surfaces. Cleaning rubber roofs is actually simple—you can use household cleaners and dishwashing liquid for normal cleaning.

5. Breaking the Manufacturer’s Warranty

Before doing any major work or repair on your roof, check with your RV manufacturer to prevent voiding the warranty in case you installed the wrong roofing material.

6. Putting Your Entire Weight on One Portion

Do not walk on your RV rubber roof without first laying plywood or other light wood materials over the seams. This way, your weight is not concentrated on the area that you step on but distributed equally across the roof rafters.

Roof Repair Dallas Scams that You Should Avoid

DIY metal roof

Dallas has a humid subtropical climate. Humidity or moisture in the air is a common cause of rust. If you have a metal roof, it will ultimately experience rust or corrosion. Other roofing materials also experience wear and tear through time. When the time comes for you to restore your roof, be wary of unscrupulous contractors who are only after your money.

We compiled the following guides to help you avoid roof repair Dallas scams:

1. Door Knockers

Be alert for contractors knocking at your door soliciting roof repair work. Reputable companies do not knock from door to door because they are busy and have existing projects to finish. They get their business not from knocking on doors but from referrals of happy and satisfied customers.

2. High-Pressure Tactics

Do not sign contracts immediately with the first contractor to call up on you after your roof sustained damage. Unscrupulous contractors use high-pressure tactics to force customers to sign up for repair work without giving them time to think things through. Remember that you do not have to decide right away.

3. Insurance Assistance

Call your insurance for assistance. Ask the adjuster what the process will be and what you have to do. Take pictures of the roof, including the undamaged parts, before allowing any person to examine it. Request the repair estimates after the adjuster has examined the roof.

4. Deliberate Damage

Do not allow disreputable contractors to go up your roof before it was examined by known and reputable individuals such as insurance adjusters. Some of these contractors deliberately inflict damage to the roof while supposedly examining it. The result is an inflated assessment of damage that would allow the contractors to earn more from the project.

5. Background Check

Find out everything about the background of the roofing contractors you are considering before signing up. The information should include company profile and previous projects going back 12 to 24 months. Research will uncover things that could help you decide whether to push through with the contractor or look for another one.

6. Work References

Get referrals from your neighbors about contractors whose services they engaged in the past. Ask them how the work was done, the terms of the repairs and whether they were satisfied with the finished work.

7. Legitimacy Check

Verify the registration of the contractor with the city government of Dallas. It should be listed and able to apply for a building permit.

8. Verify Subcontractors

For subcontractors, verify from the parent companies to which they are affiliated. Call the company and ask about the status of the subcontractor offering its services to you. You will know if the subcontractor is accredited and in good standing with the parent company.

Why Asbestos was Banned in Roof Repair and Construction

asbestos roof repair and construction

The use of asbestos in roof repair and construction started way back in the 1800s. Several characteristics of asbestos made its use prevalent in manufacturing such as heat resistant, durable, fire-proof and flexible. Because of these features, asbestos was found in almost every product when possible.

The extensive use of asbestos in construction started during the industrial revolution. Most of the asbestos mined then were used for construction materials. The fire-retardant quality of asbestos made it very popular among manufacturers such that it was found in almost all construction products, including roofing materials.

Asbestos as Roofing Material

The use of asbestos for roofing started in the 1920s until the 1980s. Nearly 80% of materials used on structures built before 1981 contained asbestos. Asbestos is found in roofs, floors, furnaces, appliances, windows caulking and plumbing. Identifying the presence of asbestos is difficult by physical appearance alone. The best way is to have samples tested by a laboratory.

Roofing materials with asbestos contents, such as asbestos cement roofing, had a life expectancy of 30 to 50 years. Since roofs are required to be fire-resistant and insulated from heat, asbestos was incorporated into roofing products.

Harmful Effects on Health

Unfortunately, asbestos was subsequently found to have harmful effects in the health of those exposed to it. In early 1900s, a rise in cases of respiratory diseases was noted from people living in towns associated with asbestos mining. In the 1940s, the disease mesothelioma was formally associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is an illness almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Lung cancer is another illness also caused by asbestos exposure.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), direct occupational exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of asbestos-related illnesses, which number around 107,000 workers annually. Indirect or secondhand exposures are responsible too. The victims are families of workers who unintentionally brought asbestos home. The WHO reports that the mortality rate from asbestos poisoning is around 43,000 annually.

Workers in at least 75 different jobs in the US were exposed to asbestos. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, workers in the construction industry were hardest hit.

Latency period is around 10 to 50 years between exposure and manifestation of mesothelioma. In the US alone, 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are recorded every year. Australia, Japan and Western Europe combined produce 10,000 cases annually.

CPSC and EPA Banned Asbestos

In 1977, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned specific products with asbestos. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned most products containing asbestos. Unfortunately, the Court of Appeals in New Orleans reversed the EPA ruling in 1991.

Because of the negative publicity associated with asbestos, manufacturers looked for suitable alternatives for the harmful product. The most common are polyurethane silica fabric, cellulose fiber, flour fibers and thermoset plastic flour.