Check the roof
Leaks can eventually damage the wood sheathing and rafters below the shingles, leading to thousands of dollars in repairs.
What to do: Use binoculars to spot cracked, curled, or missing shingles safely from the ground. Consider having a roofing pro check flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof valleys for leaks, and the rubber boots near vents for cracks that can let moisture seep in.
[Is your roof in need of repair? Click here to find an expert in your area.]
What you save: At roughly $3 per square foot installed, new sheathing would total $6,900 for a 2,300-square-foot house if you had to replace all of it. Figure on an additional $7,000 to $10,000 to install new shingles, plus added costs if the roof rafters need replacing. (See Consumer Reports' roofing Ratings and recommendations.)
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