everything you need to know about roofing warranties

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROOFING WARRANTIES

THE BASICS: WHAT IS A WARRANTY AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT



1THE BASICS: WHAT IS A WARRANTY

AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

Roofs tend to wear out and shingles tend to break, making repairs inevitable. That’s why manufacturers and roofing contractors alike offer warranties with their products and services. Homeowners expect quality roofing materials as well as impeccable installation work to be done on their homes, and a good warranty is icing on the cake: it is both an undeniable selling point and an important factor in

selecting your roofing company.



WHAT IS A WARRANTY?A warranty is a written guarantee from the manufacturer and the contractor that upholds the integrity of the products and services being provided. It’s a legal contract that defines the scope of coverage and the limits of liability that the manufacturer or contractor assumes when it comes to the repair or replacement of defective or damaged roofs.

The common misconception is that warranties, especially long-term warranties, are all-inclusive and cover any kind of roofing repair. However, this is not the case: Even the most comprehensive roofing warranty will have specific conditions that have to be met before the manufacturer or contractor will agree to repair or replace roofing materials. While warranties are essential to any roofing system (and to homeowners), keep in mind that warranties do not necessarily guarantee 100% roofing performance.



WHY ARE WARRANTIES IMPORTANT?Roofing projects, from installation to repair or replacement, are always big investments that generally involve thousands of dollars. It’s necessary to make sure you get the quality and length of service you paid for — which is hard to do without any guarantee. Warranties from your roofer are legal contracts that provide you with that guarantee. When you’re facing roof leaks or other types of damage, it can be as expensive to fix your roof as the original purchase and installation cost. Your roof warranty coverage could save you thousands in the event that problems occur with your roof.

The things you need to know and consider about roof warranties doesn’t stop here. How much do warranties cover? Who issues the

warranty? Keep those questions in mind as we discuss the answers in Part 2. Stay tuned!



2ISSUER & COVERAGE: THE WHO,

WHAT, AND DIFFERENCES AMONG THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF

WARRANTIES

The different types of roof warranties and the inclusions in coverage typically depend on who issues them. As the performance of the roofing system relies heavily on both the quality of the material and the quality of the workmanship involved, the warranty for your roof can be issued by the manufacturer or by your

contractor, or both.


ISSUER & COVERAGE: THE WHO, WHAT, AND DIFFERENCES AMONG THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WARRANTIES

There are two types of manufacturer’s warranties: materials-only warranties, and system warranties. Material warranties are provided by all manufacturers and typically range in length from 10 to 30 years, depending on the different kinds of material and the brand. Like the name implies, this type of manufacturer-issued warranty only covers defects or failure of the materials, caused by manufacturing defects or premature aging. The problem this presents is often the narrow scope of coverage: often, the material that makes up your roof may have warranty, but all of the other components that support may not.

System warranties, on the other hand, are issued by the manufacturer to cover a broader scope of defective materials and workmanship. They also typically last 10 to 30 years, and exclude roof leaks caused by non-manufacturer produced roof components such as flashings, pitch pans, and coping metal. Manufacturers that issue system warranties require that the roofing system be installed according to their specifications and details, sometimes requiring their own licensed and trained roofers to do the job.


ISSUER & COVERAGE: THE WHO, WHAT, AND DIFFERENCES AMONG THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WARRANTIES

Manufacturer-issued warranties should come from the manufacturer and should not be used as a substitute warranty for workmanship by the roofing contractor. Call the manufacturer and make sure the contractor is authorized, to avoid nulling your warranty.

The contractor’s workmanship warranty is a separate warranty issued by your roofing contractor, and provides a guarantee against errors and improper installation. These warranties usually cover 1-5 years, although some provide coverage of as long as 10 years.This is because roofing is a “high-turnover” business and contractors generally have less economic stability than manufacturers in the roofing industry. Beware of contractors that use extensive warranty length as a tool to win more clients. It’s more important to choose a contractor with the right credentials and an established reputation for the services they provide.

Both workmanship and manufacturing warranties are generally provided free of charge. The charge for a full warranty that includes materials and labor is calculated based on the size of the roof along with an additional inspection fee.

When problems occur with your roof, warranties can play a big part in keeping your

roof intact and saving you a lot of money in repairs. But the responsibility doesn’t just fall

on the manufacturer or contractor’s shoulders. What part do you play in all this? We discuss

that and more in Part 3.



3THE FINE PRINT: YOUR

RESPONSIBILITY AS AN OWNER

Don’t wait to suffer from the damages of a roof leak before you start reviewing your warranty. The role you play in making sure your warranty stays in effect is equally important to that of the issuer. Warranties should be reviewed even before you make the decision to hire or purchase. Here are

some pointers on what to look for.


THE FINE PRINT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS AN OWNER

• Maintenance: Is it required by your warranty? Make sure the warranty has specific instructions on how to carry out inspections and repairs and how often. Some contractors require maintenance to be done by their own people to keep the warranty from being voided. Manufacturers can similarly require their own inspectors or roofers as well.

• Length: How long will your warranty have you covered? While some manufacturers offer lifetime warranties, others offer up to 40 years. This doesn’t mean your roof will last as long, however, and that’s because the warranties only provide for product defects, and not aging and weather damage.

• Repair & Replacement: Does your warranty cover both, or just one of the two? You may need to replace the damaged materials along with the repair. Find out whether or not the purchase of the replacement will have to come from your pocket.


THE FINE PRINT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS AN OWNER

Each warranty has its own specific terms and conditions, so it’s important to read each warranty carefully. So long as you are aware of the twists and turns — in this case, the exclusions and the nullification clauses — in the small print, you’re well-covered.

• Records: Keep all the records -- from the initial estimate, to every receipt and invoice during the installation process. You’ll need all the required paperwork to claim your warranty.

• Transferrability: Most warranties are not assignable or transferable by the owner. If you are not the original owner of the house, your roof’s warranty may have already been voided. Even when warranties are transferrable, conditions must be met and additional fees must be paid.

• Exclusions: Warranties commonly exclude extreme weather, damage from ponding water, and damage from poor maintenance. Your warranty must state the specifics on each exclusion, as well as any other demands included. Consequential damage, such as damage caused by a roof leak, are also excluded by most warranties although they are usually more costly to repair.



A&A SERVICES115 North St, Salem, MA 01970

978-607-0881www.a-aservices.com

http://www.a-aservices.com

everything you need to know about roofing warranties

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