A Roof Overhead (NAPSA)—When buying a home, one of the most important things to consider is the condition of the roof. And even if it is watertight at the time of inspection, you may still find it leaking sooner than expected. Check the attic periodically for signs your roof maybeleaking. To stay ahead of such situations, check the attic periodically for telltale signs of leakage. Check all roof flashings and areas where the roof is penetrated by a chimney, vent, skylight, dormeror other protrusion. Leaks often develop around roof penetrations because the flashing that seals the joints or the sealant dries out and cracks. The experts at HouseMaster, leaders in the home inspection industry, suggest applying sealants at roof joints periodically. If you have loose shingles, they can be secured with roofing nails, but nails should not be left exposed. For more tips on roofing and other areas of home maintenance, visit www.housemaster.com/home defects.
