It’s never a good idea to skip reading the terms and conditions of your roofing warranty before signing it. While roof repair companies appreciate the implied trust, it is nevertheless good practice to read contracts and agreements prior to applying your signature to them.
Two Types of Warranties
The ideal roofing warranty should have at least two types of coverage. Manufacturer warranty, also known as factory or material warranty, provides coverage against factory defects and manufacturing errors. Premature shingle aging, excessively loose granules and blistered roofing are common roofing problems in this category.
Workmanship warranty, also known as installation warranty, covers problems caused by subpar workmanship or installation errors. Failure to install roof flashing or use the fastener patterns recommended by the manufacturer are some examples of the latter. While workmanship warranties are expected to be covered by the roofing contractor, manufacturers will sometimes cover workmanship as part of a comprehensive warranty coverage. The GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty, for example, includes up to 30 years coverage for workmanship, in addition to up to 50 years manufacturer warranty.
Understand the Exclusions
Exclusions are conditions that are not protected by the warranty coverage and, in some cases, could void it. Lack of roof maintenance is one such example. Most roofing warranties would have exclusions that pertain to extreme weather (some roofing systems have higher wind ratings than others), unauthorized repairs or natural occurrences, such as earthquakes. Other warranties may also exclude tear-off and disposal costs. This means you could be eligible for repairs or replacement, but you may still need to pay for the costs to remove and dispose of the defective roofing material.
Warranty Requirements
Roofing warranties may have minimum requirements that could void coverage if not fulfilled. Regular maintenance, performed by an authorized roofing contractor, is one such requirement. Hiring the same contractor who installed the roof eliminates a lot of guesswork. If they’re not available, at least make sure you’re hiring a contractor that’s certified by the same roofing manufacturer.
If you have a storm-damaged roof, avoid storm chasers, and leave your roof to professionals. Call Scro’s Roofing Company at (919) 461-0937, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
