A roof warranty is important for every homeowner. You'll find two main kinds: one from the maker of the roofing materials, which guards against faulty products for 25-50 years, and another from the roofers themselves, which covers any mistakes in putting the roof on for 2-10 years. Most warranties will pay to fix leaks caused by bad materials or poor installation, but won't help if the roof wasn't put on right or gets damaged by storms. To keep your warranty valid and get full protection, you need to sign up on time and take care of your roof as required. Getting a warranty that can be passed on to new owners if you sell your house can make your property worth more. Take time to learn about different warranty choices and what you need to do to keep them active.
Key Takeaways
- Roof warranties include manufacturer warranties covering material defects and workmanship warranties covering installation errors, each with specific durations and coverage limits.
- Common exclusions in warranties encompass damage from improper installation, weather-related events, and lack of maintenance.
- Timely registration of warranties, typically within 30-90 days post-installation, is crucial for activating full coverage.
- Regular roof maintenance and adherence to warranty guidelines are essential for maintaining coverage and avoiding costly repairs.
- Selecting contractors certified by manufacturers ensures compliance with warranty requirements and enhances protection against installation-related claims.
Overview of Roofing Warranties
A roof warranty is an important part of owning a home, helping protect against faulty materials and mistakes during installation. These warranties help safeguard your roof investment and cut down on risks.
There are two main kinds of roof warranties: those from manufacturers and those from installers. Manufacturer warranties cover problems with roofing materials and can last 25 to 50 years. Installation warranties deal with any mistakes made during the roof's setup and usually last 2 to 10 years.
As a homeowner, you need to look closely at what each warranty covers. Manufacturers often sell different levels of coverage that might include things like wind damage or green algae growth. Additionally, it is helpful to factor in average roof costs to ensure you choose a warranty that aligns with your budget and protects your investment effectively.
But warranties don't cover everything. They often won't pay for damage from poor installation, bad storms, or lack of upkeep. It's very important to know what isn't covered, since skipping needed maintenance can cancel your warranty.
To keep your warranty valid, you must know how to register it and what upkeep you need to do according to its rules. Understanding these basics helps avoid surprises and extra costs if you need to fix or replace your roof later.
Types of Roofing Warranties
Roofing warranties come in three main types: manufacturer warranties, workmanship warranties, and extended warranties. Each type covers different things and has its own limits.
- Manufacturer's Warranties: Cover problems with the roofing materials and last 25 to 50 years, but usually don't pay for the work needed to fix or install the roof.
- Workmanship Warranties: Cover mistakes made during roof installation and last 2 to 10 years. Good roofing companies might offer up to 20 years or lifetime coverage, showing they trust their work.
- Extended Warranties: Give full coverage when certified roofers install the roof. You must register your roof to make the warranty valid. Many of these warranties cover the full cost of repairs throughout their term.
- Coverage Details: It's important to know what each warranty does and doesn't cover, especially for storm damage and basic upkeep.
Knowing these warranty types helps homeowners pick the right coverage for their roof and feel secure about their choice.
Coverage Details and Exclusions
A good understanding of what roofing warranties cover and don't cover helps homeowners protect their investment. Most warranties cover bad materials and work mistakes during installation, making sure serious roof problems can be fixed. This includes fixing roof leaks caused by poor materials or mistakes made when the roof was installed.
But homeowners need to know what can make their warranty useless. The warranty won't help if the roof was put on wrong, gets damaged in bad storms, or isn't taken care of properly. Not every part of the roof is covered – things like metal strips around chimneys or nails might not be included in material warranties.
Many warranties also reduce their coverage over time, often starting after 10 years, giving less money back as the roof gets older. To keep the warranty valid, homeowners must follow specific rules about roof checks and upkeep listed in the warranty papers. Knowing how to handle roofing emergencies can also be crucial in protecting what is under the warranty.
Knowing these details about what is and isn't covered helps ensure the roof stays protected for many years.
Importance of Warranty Registration
Registering your roof warranty is key to protecting your investment. Making sure your warranty is properly registered helps you meet manufacturer rules and covers both materials and work if something goes wrong. If you don't register, you could lose your warranty protection completely.
Here's what you need to know about warranty registration:
- Register on Time: Most makers want you to register within 30 to 90 days after your roof is installed.
- Get Full Coverage: Some better warranties only start working after you register them, and often need your roofer to help set them up.
- Don't Miss Out: Not registering can cancel important parts of your warranty, including coverage for materials, which means you'll have to pay for fixes yourself.
- Keep Your Papers: Save all papers that show you registered, including any proof you get back. You might need these later to show your warranty is valid.
Following these steps to manage your roof warranty will help protect you from surprise costs and give you better coverage.
Selecting Quality Roofing Warranties
Picking the right roof warranty helps protect your investment for years to come. Look for warranties that cover installation work for at least 10 years. This helps protect you if there are any problems with how the roof was put on.
Make sure the materials warranty lasts at least 25 years and covers full replacement costs. This is most helpful in the first 10 years when major problems might show up.
Check if you can pass the warranty to a new owner if you sell your house. This can make your home more valuable when it's time to sell.
Work with roofers who are approved by the manufacturers to offer better warranties. These usually cover both the materials and any installation problems, giving you more protection.
Read all the warranty details carefully, especially what you need to do to keep the warranty valid. Following these rules helps make sure your warranty stays good for as long as you have the roof.
Taking time to check these things helps you get a good warranty that will protect your roof and give you less to worry about. Additionally, be sure to select contractors with liability insurance coverage to further safeguard your investment.
Best Practices for Warranty Maintenance
Keeping your roof warranty valid is just as crucial as picking the right one to begin with. To keep your warranty protection and meet all requirements, follow these key steps:
- Sign Up Your Warranty: Get your roof warranty registered right after the roof is installed. If you don't, you might lose your coverage.
- Get Regular Checkups: Have your roof checked every two years. Taking care of your roof is key – if you don't, you could lose your warranty benefits.
- Pick the Right Workers: Stay with the same repair team for all work. Using different workers could lead to mistakes that cancel your warranty.
- Know What's Not Covered: Read and understand what your warranty won't cover. Things like storm damage, poor upkeep, or DIY fixes can void your warranty.
Additionally, having professional contractors manage maintenance and repairs can help ensure compliance with warranty requirements and maintain your roof's quality.
Quick action on warranty signup and upkeep is vital. Following these steps protects your investment and helps avoid costly problems later.
Taking good care of your warranty is an important part of keeping your roof in good shape for many years.
What Roofing Warranties Don't Cover
Roof warranties have limits that you need to know about to understand what they will and won't cover.
Most warranties don't pay for damage from natural events like big storms, strong winds, and hail. Even though these weather conditions can badly damage your roof, you usually can't claim these problems under your warranty.
If you skip needed roof care, like regular checkups, you might lose your warranty coverage and have to pay for fixes yourself.
Making changes or fixes to your roof without getting help from experts can also cancel your warranty.
Your warranty likely won't cover damage from things like fallen tree branches or ice buildup that leads to water leaks and roof damage.
While bad work by the first contractor might be covered, using different contractors for later repairs could end your warranty protection. Additionally, regular roof inspections are crucial for maintaining warranty coverage and ensuring the longevity of your roof.
Enhancing Your Warranty Benefits
To get the most from your roof warranty, keeping up with basic care and following warranty rules is vital. While manufacturers provide warranties to protect what you paid for, you must follow their rules to keep your coverage active. If you skip needed upkeep, you could lose your coverage and the money it saves you.
Key ways to make your warranty work better:
- Regular Checkups: Get a professional to look at your roof at least once every two years to spot problems early.
- Work with Licensed Experts: Using approved workers for putting on and fixing your roof ensures good work and keeps your warranty valid.
- Sign Up on Time: Make sure you register your warranty when required to keep your coverage.
- Know the Rules: Learn what your warranty covers, including upkeep needs and weather damage limits, to avoid rejected claims.
Staying in touch with your original roof installer helps hold everyone accountable and makes it easier to handle warranty claims when needed.
When you stay on top of these steps, you'll get more value and life from your roof warranty.
Choosing a Reputable Contractor
Want to make sure your roof gets done right? Picking a good contractor is key. Look for ones who have earned certifications from major roofing makers – this often means better warranties and shows they know how to do the job properly.
Pick companies that have been fixing and building roofs for at least ten years, as this shows they're stable and skilled.
Make sure your contractor offers warranties for both their work and the materials they use. The work warranty should last at least ten years to cover any mistakes made during installation.
Check that they have proper licenses and insurance – this keeps you safe if accidents happen and makes sure they follow local building rules.
Get written price quotes from several contractors before deciding.
Read the warranty details carefully, including what's covered and what's not. Taking time to find a good contractor will help your roof last longer and work better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Covered Under a Roof Warranty?
A roof warranty protects against faulty materials and poor installation work, with coverage times that differ based on the warranty type. Homeowners need to read through different warranty choices and what they don't cover, while also taking care of their roof through regular upkeep and checks to spot problems that might need warranty claims. Weather conditions can affect what the warranty will cover.
What Is Included in a Workmanship Warranty?
A workmanship warranty covers mistakes made by contractors during installation and states how long the coverage lasts. It explains how repairs will be made if something goes wrong due to poor installation work. The warranty also spells out what homeowners must do to keep the coverage valid and what damages aren't covered, like problems with materials or outside damage.
What Voids a Roof Warranty?
Roof warranties can become invalid if the roof is installed incorrectly, if you skip regular upkeep and checks, or if you make changes without approval. To keep your warranty valid, follow repair rules, use the right roofing materials, and work with licensed roofers.
Who Is Typically Required to Warranty the Roof Against Leaks?
The roofer who installs your roof usually gives you a warranty for their work, while the companies that make the roofing parts promise their materials won't fail. As a homeowner, you need to take care of your roof to stop leaks, follow what your insurance company asks for, and know how long the warranty lasts, how to make a claim, and if the manufacturer is trustworthy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding roofing warranties is vital for homeowners and industry professionals alike. A thorough grasp of the types of warranties, coverage details, and exclusions informs better decision-making during roof installation and maintenance. Proper warranty registration and adherence to best practices further enhance warranty benefits. Ultimately, selecting reputable contractors like ERS Contractor and being aware of common exclusions guarantees ideal protection against unforeseen issues, thereby maximizing investment in roofing systems.
