Installing a new residential roof is a huge investment. Residential roof repairs can also be very costly in the event of manufacturing defects, damage, or accelerated wear and tear. This makes it important to make sure that you are getting high quality roofing materials and workmanship for your money. One way to protect your investment is to buy materials that are coupled with a comprehensive warranty covering a reasonable period. Unfortunately, not many people take the time to read and understand residential roofing material and installation warranties. Moreover, people often get swayed by what can be termed as rock-solid warranty term. To make a smart choice, it is important to understand what’s covered and what’s not in the roofing material warranties. In this two-part series, we look at some of the important facts you should know about roofing material and installation warranties.

1. Only Defects in Roofing Materials are Covered

Warranties on roofing materials only cover manufacturing defects and not deterioration of the roofing system due to prolonged use. The lifespan of roofing materials depends on multiple factors including the installation procedure, environmental factors, and conditions such as the ventilation and insulation of the building. If a roofing material comes with a warranty of thirty years, it simply means it will remain free from any manufacturing flaws for thirty years.

2. Only Specific Conditions are Covered

Roofing warranties usually cover specific conditions, such as algae resistance, manufacturing defects, and blow-off resistance. If you get comprehensive cover for the roofing system, it is important to know the specific details and not assume that all eventualities are covered.

3. It is vital to Know Cover and Compensation Details

As a customer, it is important to go through details of the manufacturer’s warranty. If there is algae coverage on the roofing system, you may get compensated for cleaning the roof and not on residential roof repair or complete replacement of the roofing system. Understand the specific details of available covering to ensure that you are protected against known defects that may otherwise prove heavy on your pocket.

4. You Must Go Through the Installation Warranty

Apart from the manufacturer’s warranty, it’s also important to consider the installation warranty provided by your residential roofing contractor. Know what’s covered in the installation warranty and the length of cover. Warranty attributes are a great way to measure the confidence of your contractor in their work.

5. Always Take Note of What’s Not Covered

Apart from getting a comprehensive understanding of what is covered under roofing warranties, you must also get clarity on what’s not covered. Problems such as inadequate ventilation, defective design of the building, and faulty drainage systems are usually not covered under the roofing material and installation warranties.

This blog is a continuation of our first installment in this two-part series on ten must-know facts on roofing warranties. As emphasized in our first installment, it is always important to understand the finer details of your roofing material and installation warranties. Triumph Roofing and Construction provides free roof inspection services to help you assess the health of your materials and roofing structure. This write-up discusses five more facts that you need to know about roofing material and installation warranties. Let’s start.

6. It is Vital to Understand the Language

It is important to know that warranties sometimes contain language that is potentially confusing. For instance, in the event of wind damage, warranties may specify that shingles need to be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and not during the cold season. Making sure that all stipulated conditions are met may not be simple in the absence of professional help.

7. Warranty Cover is Prorated

Like any other warranty, roofing warranties provides different and specific periods of cover. Once the “up-front” time duration is completed, the compensation is also reduced, which is based on the number of years the roofing material has been in use.

8. Documentation Plays a Crucial Role

Whenever you buy roofing material, make sure to keep all documentation from the installer, including their warranty. Without valid documentation, the manufacturer or roofer, there may be insufficient evidence to prove that they provided the products or services. If there are any problems down the road, you can simply produce the documentation to get free roof inspection or repair work done according to the warranty.

9. Knowing Notification Periods is Important

When you purchase roofing materials, it is important to know the notification period of the product warranties. A notification period is basically a time limit within which you need to notify the manufacturer of any defects in the roofing material.

10. Some Activities may Void Warranties

Many warranties include fine print that states something to the effect that specific activities may void the warranty. For instance, installing unlicensed items, such as skylights, failure to perform necessary repairs and maintenance, and hiring unlicensed roofing inspectors, may simply void the warranty.

Wrapping Up

As a homeowner, never buy roofing materials on the lure of a lifetime warranty. It is important to take a closer look at the finer details of the warranty. If you are looking to find the best roofing materials and roof installation services that come with comprehensive warranties, speak to Triumph Roofing and Construction. You can also get free roof repair estimates and expert roof inspectors by filling out our contact form or calling us at 972-332-1776.