October
26
If you’ve ever had to repair or replace a roof, you know that this can sometimes be an expensive proposition. For this reason, it’s nice to know that your new roof has warranty coverage, should there be a problem down the road. But what types of roofing warranties are available, and how do they apply to your roof? Many homes or business owners tend to stop with the length of the warranty, and don’t pay enough attention to which repair or replacement services are spelled out by the warranty policy. Understanding the details of your warranty now can help prevent many unpleasant surprises later!
Let’s turn now to answer some frequently asked questions about roof warranty coverage:
FAQ: What is a roof warranty?
The phrase “roof warranty” can refer to several different kinds of warranties offered by different providers. Most roof leaks aren’t covered by standard home insurance, but some home insurers do make provisions for roof-related issues. There are also some add-on home warranty plans available for covering roof leaks and repairs in particular. In addition, roofing manufacturers typically offer their own materials warranties, and your local roofing contractor should have some level of workmanship warranty for services provided.
FAQ: What do manufacturer roof warranties include?
Here’s some real talk for you. The wording of many manufacturer roofing warranties is often geared more towards limiting manufacturer liability than it is towards protecting the homeowner or business owner. That’s why it’s important for you to take the time to read all the fine print of any manufacturer warranty, to make sure you understand what’s actually included before you choose a roofing material. You also need to understand which circumstances could lead to your product warranty becoming void.
What a typical manufacturer warranty guarantees is that a defective product will be replaced or repaired over the course of a set warranty period. Sometimes (for example, after a certain length of time as passed), this coverage is provided on a pro-rated basis, which should be spelled out in the contract.
FAQ: Can a roofing manufacturer warranty be voided?
Unfortunately, yes, it can. Learning that you’ve unintentionally done something to void your roofing materials warranty is not a pleasant feeling, especially whenever you’re trying to get a problem with your roof addressed. The best way to avoid this unfortunate situation is to read over your policy and become familiar with any voiding circumstances for your warranty coverage.
FAQ: What are some things that can void a roofing warranty?
There are a few notable issues you should be aware of when it comes to unintentionally voiding your roofing warranty. Here are some of the more common voiding circumstances:
• Installing new shingles on top of the old ones
Some may tell you that placing new shingles right on top of your existing roofing is no problem, but reputable contractors know better. You may think you can save some time, labor, and money by not tearing off the old roof first, but the fact of the matter is that going this route can shorten the lifespan of your new shingles, damage your roof’s structural integrity, and also void your shingle warranty.
• Improper roof installation
To that end, improper installation of any roofing materials can end up voiding your warranty. Contractors and roofing providers who are willing to cut corners, take shortcuts, or do anything to disregard the manufacturer’s stated recommendations should be avoided at all costs!
• Adding certain roof fixtures and features
Things like antennas, satellite dishes, skylights, and solar panels can actually void your roofing materials warranty, if these fixtures aren’t installed properly. Make sure to coordinate with your local roofing contractor first, before moving forward with any roof feature additions.
• Mixing roofing materials from different manufacturers
Most roofing systems are designed to include specific components which are supplied or approved by the roofing materials manufacturer. If you try to mix and match shingles, underlayment, or other materials from different companies, you could compromise the integrity of your roof. And to add insult to injury, you’ll almost certainly void your manufacturer’s warranty, too.
• Not providing adequate roof ventilation
Proper attic ventilation is essential for ensuring the longevity of your roof. Damage that may occur as a result of improper ventilation is often not covered by a roofing materials warranty.
• Pressure washing
Pressure washers work great on your driveway, but it’s a good idea to keep the pressure washer away from your roof. If you have a shingle roof, for example, a pressure washer can strip off shingle granules and force water underneath your outer layer of roofing material. Worse still, using a pressure washer on your roof can end up voiding your materials warranty.
• Having someone other than the original installation contractor perform your repairs
Being able to conduct some home repairs on your own is a wonderful thing, but roof repair really isn’t something you should take on as a DIY project – at least, not if you want to keep from voiding your material warranty. Many (if not most) manufacturer warranties require that warranted repairs be provided by the original roofing contractor who installed your materials.
FAQ: What about warranties provided by the roofing contractor?
Many property owners tend to confuse the manufacturer warranty (for products or materials), with the workmanship warranty offered by the roofing contractor. What the workmanship warranty usually promises is service in the event that the problem is the result of installer error. Contractor roof warranties don’t usually cover roofing materials, since these are covered separately by manufacturer warranties. However, if there is a problem with the materials themselves, most manufacturers will use the original installer to provide authorized materials warranty coverage.
FAQ: What causes a roof to fail prematurely?
Many roofing material manufacturers offer product warranties up to 25 years, or even 50 years in some cases. They can do so because their materials really are designed and engineered to last that long, or longer! Most modern roofing materials simply don’t fail prematurely under normal conditions. So, what does cause a roof to fail prematurely? Most of the time, a premature roof failure is almost always due to improper installation. The problem isn’t faulty materials; it’s poor workmanship! Up to 99% of all shingle leaks that occur during a roof’s normal lifespan are due to poor workmanship, not faulty shingles.
A Roof Warranty is Only as Good as the Original Roof Installation!
A warranty is only as good as the company backing it, and a roof installation is only as good as the local roofing contractor you choose to partner with. There really is no roof warranty which can protect you from a failed roof installation! And the best roof warranty coverage can only be provided by manufacturer-authorized, manufacturer-preferred contractors. For instance, Owens Corning only awards its Platinum Preferred Contractor status to the very top tier of contractors – those who meet strict standards for professionalism, reliability, and superior craftsmanship. Only Platinum Preferred Contractors are authorized to offer Owens Corning’s premium, total roofing system warranty.
Looking for a Quality Roof You Can Trust? Choose a Local Roofing Provider You Can Trust – Choose Skywalker!
If you’re looking for a trusted, manufacturer-authorized, local contractor to take care of your roof in NC or VA, then look no further than Skywalker Roofing! Skywalker has now completed over 16,000 projects, and we’ve achieved a 99% approval rating from our many satisfied customers. But what about roofing warranties? We’ve got you covered there, too. Skywalker offers lifetime workmanship warranties and true 50-year, non-prorated warranties for labor and materials on select roofing systems. And speaking of roofing materials, we offer much more than just shingles! We fabricate custom metal roofs right on site, and we also work with other popular materials, including slate, tile, wood shakes, synthetics, composites, and commercial flat roofing. We even offer a 5-year workmanship warranty on our roof repair services! If you’re located in the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Lake Norman area, or southwestern VA region, then give us a call at +1 (336) 627-5596 today, and experience the Skywalker difference for yourself!
