How to Protect Your Roof Warranty
What Is Included in a Roof Warranty?
Most new roofs come with two types of warranties: a materials warranty from the manufacturer and an installation warranty from the company that installed the roof. Manufacturer warranties protect homeowners if the roofing material is defective in some way. These warranties tend to cover the shingles specifically and won't necessarily cover all parts of your roof. Additionally, they may only cover the cost of replacement materials and not the cost of installation. Manufacturer warranties are commonly around 25 years.
The installation warranty that comes from the roofing company covers the work the roofer performed during the installation. These warranties are just as important as materials warranties from the manufacturer and indicate that you are working with a roofer who values their customers and stands by their work. Both the installation and materials warranties have the potential to save homeowners thousands of dollars.
Understanding a Lifetime Roofing Warranty
If you have a roofing warranty that says it is for the lifetime of your roof versus a set period, you may be wondering what that means. You are not alone in this; many homeowners are confused by the language surrounding lifetime roofing warranties. A lifetime warranty does not mean that the warranty covers the roof for life. Instead, it most often refers to the expected lifetime of the roofing material in question, such as 25 years for an asphalt roof.
However, do not assume that you know what a company means by "lifetime." If you are given a warranty with this language, ask them directly what they mean. Company to company and material to material, the term "lifetime" can mean just about anything.
What Will Void a Roof Warranty?
Roofing warranties are incredibly valuable, and you want to make sure you protect yours so that it is available to you should you need it. With this in mind, we think that it is important that homeowners understand the different conditions under which a roofing warranty may be voided.
The following can potentially void your roof's warranty:
- Improper installation
- Installation of satellite dishes
- Installing skylights or anything that punctures the roofing materials
- Incorrect, inadequate, or missing roof ventilation
- Improper maintenance
It is important to read all the conditions associated with your roof's warranty to ensure that you do not do anything to jeopardize it unknowingly. Keep a copy of your warrants somewhere handy, and reference it before doing any work on your roof.
If you are having a hard time understanding your roof's warranty, reach out to the roofing experts at Divine Roofing, Inc. With over a decade in the industry, we are well-versed in roofing warranties and can help you understand the terms and conditions of yours.
Tips for Protecting Your Roof Warranty
Now that you know your roofing warranty's importance, you're probably wondering how you can preserve it. Below we go over five helpful tips for protecting your roof warranty. With these tips and some help from Divine Roofing, Inc, you can expect to have your roofing warranty available to you should anything go wrong with your roofing materials.
#1: Schedule Regular Roof Maintenance
Many roofing warranties have the condition that you must keep your roof well-maintained with professional maintenance. A roof that is neglected and in disrepair is more likely to suffer from damage, and your warranty is more likely to be found void. We recommend scheduling an annual roof inspection and service with the roofing maintenance team at Divine Roofing, Inc. Our roofers are highly experienced and can help you take good care of your roof, thereby protecting the warranty.
If you perform DIY maintenance, such as cleaning debris from your roof, make sure you never pressure wash your roof. Even if you have moss or algae on the roof, pressure washing is the last thing you ever want to do. The high-pressured water can damage your shingles and cause significant granule loss. This will void your warranty.
#2: Always Work with Professional, Experienced Roofers
When scheduling routine maintenance or roof repairs, it is vital that you always work with professional, local roofers like Divine Roofing, Inc. DIY roof repairs are not only unreliable, but they can result in a voided warranty. Furthermore, if you can continue working with the same roofer who installed your roof, that is even better. Your roofer should then have a good sense of the terms of your warranty and can support you in ensuring your roof is well taken care of and the warranty protected.
Avoid working with roofing companies from out of the area or that offer too good to be true deals on repairs and maintenance. Often these roofers are cutting corners and trying to make a quick buck. In these cases, their work cannot be relied upon, and you risk voiding your warranty and ending up with an even more damaged roof.
#3: Be Careful with Roof Installations & Skylights
Skylights, satellite dishes, and other roof installations have the potential to make our homes more functional, attractive, and comfortable. However, they also have the potential to void our roof warranties. Before installing anything on your roof, review your warranty and determine what is allowed. If you move forward with the installation, make sure you work with a professional installer who is experienced and who guarantees their work.
#4: Make Sure Your Roof Is Adequately Ventilated
Many manufacturers' warranties are rendered void if a roof is not properly ventilated. This is because roofing that isn't appropriately ventilated can become superheated. The lack of good ventilation can also lead to excess moisture getting trapped in your roofing, damaging the materials. Common damage associated with an overheated roof includes peeling shingles, excess wear, and fading. It also leaves your roof more susceptible to storm damage down the road, such as hail damage. If you aren't sure if your roof is properly ventilated, reach out to Divine Roofing, Inc. for advice.
#5: Always Replace; Never Reroof
Finally, one of the major ways that homeowners mistakenly void their roofing materials' warranty is through reroofing, or layering new shingles over old shingles. Though this practice is not allowed in El Paso County or the Colorado Springs area, it still happens in many parts of the country. Doing so almost always voids a roofing warranty. In addition to voiding your warranty, it can also cause a host of roofing problems, including sagging, bulges, and an overall reduction in the integrity of your roof.
To learn more about why reroofing is a bad idea, read our blog, "Why Aren't You Allowed to Reroof in El Paso County."