Make it a habit to consider warranties when planning a major home improvement, such as a roof replacement. They protect your new roof against manufacturer’s defects and workmanship errors. For instance, if damage occurs due to improper installation, your warranty will cover necessary repairs or replacements. Without it, you’ll be the one to pay to address the issue.
Despite the importance of warranties, they are often overlooked when choosing products and assessing contractors. Here’s how you will know if your roofing warranty is really protecting you.
Types of Roofing Warranties
Manufacturer Warranty
Reputable manufacturers back their products with comprehensive warranties. Manufacturer warranties usually cover problems or defects with the roofing material. They can protect you from issues, like early underlayment failure, faulty sealant and defective shingles. The manufacturer will address these issues once they prove that they occurred during the production stage.
Contractor Warranty
The warranty that a roofing contractor will offer you shows how confident they are about the products they install and the quality of their service. If shortly after installation you experience leaks due to workmanship mistakes, your warranty will cover the repair. While it’s tempting to get a shorter workmanship warranty because of its lower cost, you can end up dealing with costly issues in the future with an improperly installed roof.
Is Your Roofing Warranty Protecting You?
Know What Your Roofing Warranty Covers
Conventional roofing warranties offer protection against product defects and improper installation by certified contractors. They typically exclude damage caused by uncontrollable circumstances, such as weather extremes and acts of terrorism. If issues occur due to your failure to maintain your roof, your warranty won’t also cover it.
Understand What Your Warranty Requires to Stay Valid
Warranties often have conditions to remain valid. These regulations are implemented to ensure roofing jobs are performed by qualified contractors. Factory-certified professionals know how to install your roof according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
You can get in touch with the manufacturer to confirm if your potential roofing contractor is certified. All it takes is a call to determine if you are working with the right roofer. Verifying the qualifications of your prospective roofer will save you from working with an unreliable contractor.
If you hire an uncertified roofer, you might not be able to file a warranty claim for your roofing problems. That said, you must confirm that the warranty is actually from the manufacturer and not the contractor. Experts recommend withholding the final payment until the completion of the final inspection. Doing so will ensure that your roof is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Avoid Scenarios Where You Will Need to Use Your Warranty
Choosing the right contractor for your roof replacement project will reduce the chances of needing to use your warranty. Only work with licensed, insured and certified companies for your new roof. Many of today’s roofing manufacturers have implemented rating and recognition programs for home improvement companies, where they come up with quality detail reports or recognize excelling contractors.
Why Is Your Roofing Warranty Important?
Keep Your Investment Safe
With warranties, you will have the assurance that your investment is in good hands. They guarantee that the manufacturer will perform repairs for defective materials after the installation. It also ensures that your contractor will install your new roof to the highest standards.
If issues occur after the initial job, your roofer will stand behind their word and correct any installation mistake. Moreover, the longevity of your warranties depends on your contractor and manufacturer. What you do and don’t do for your roof can also affect their validity.
Add More Value to Your Home
Are you considering selling your home in the future? If so, you will benefit from comprehensive roofing warranties. They guarantee that your contractor follows the manufacturer’s guidelines for installing your roof. It means saving you from early roof failure and constant repairs. If your contractor does a poor job or provides an unsatisfactory warranty, your property’s value can suffer.
Enjoy Savings
A sturdy, well-designed and excellently installed roof is less likely to suffer damage from harsh outdoor conditions. It means savings from major repairs on your roof and the rest of your home. With a warranty, you won’t have to spend anything on a roof with a manufacturer defect. Without one, you will have to pay for all the work needed to restore your roof to good shape.
What Can You Do to Keep Your Warranty Valid?
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Many manufacturers require you to schedule routine inspections and maintenance to keep your warranty valid. Proper care can help prolong the life of your roof and maintain its good performance. Keep in mind that your manufacturer can void your warranty if they find that you neglected your roof.
Your roofing contractor can advise how frequently your roof needs maintenance. It’s a good idea to get inspections at least twice a year. Also, hire professionals to check your roof after an extreme weather event. If it develops an issue, deal with it immediately before water starts leaking inside your home and causes damage to your furnishings and belongings.
Work With a Reliable Contractor
Whether you need a roof repair or replacement, you must hire a reliable contractor to do the job. You can end up with a voided warranty if your contractor fails to follow the manufacturer’s installation techniques. The easiest way to avoid this situation is to hire a certified roofer for your project. Most of these reliable contractors have a dedicated workmanship warranty if an installation-related problem occurs.
Only Allow Authorized Professionals to Perform Rooftop Jobs
It’s a common misconception that you will save more by performing roofing jobs yourself. Doing so will only risk the durability and longevity of your roof and your safety. Experienced professionals can perform roofing jobs promptly and efficiently. They also have the appropriate tools and equipment to accomplish your roof repair or replacement. Besides doing DIY repairs, adding unauthorized modifications to your roof can void its warranty.
For superior roof repair and replacement services, choose Deschutes Roofing. Call us at (541) 241-5720 (Bend), (503) 967-9590 (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego) or (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton). You may also fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.
