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What Does A Roof Warranty Cover

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Terms to Know in Roof Coatings Warranties | GAF Roofing

We want to make sure were providing you, the consumer, with the most current data available for every home warranty company weve researched and rated. That takes significant effort but we feel thats vital to providing you thorough and trustworthy reviews.

With that in mind, we have dedicated staff members who regularly update our database of home warranty research.

*Terms and conditions apply. Review complete limits of liability and any exclusions. CHW offers service contracts which are not warranties.**See policy for specifics on response times.***CHW reserves the right to offer cash back in lieu of repair or replacement in the amount of CHWs actual cost to repair or replace any covered system, component or appliance.****In the event a claim is denied, and a customer seeks to have Us review that denial, We have the right to request routine maintenance records in reviewing its decision.

Things To Look For In A Shingle Warranty

You need to understand your roofing warranty coverage fully. Ask questions about what will be covered and what you will have to cover out of pocket if you ever need any warranty work completed. It’s also important to ask about your responsibility for maintaining your warranty and possible ways you can void it.

The length of a shingle warranty can vary based on the brand, climate, as well as the experience and expertise of the roofer. As such, you may want to choose a warranty which offers ample coverage throughout your roof’s lifetime.

Most architectural shingles carry a “lifetime-limited” warranty and have a transferable manufacturer warranty. Lifetime refers to the original homeowner when the shingles are installed, while limited means the roofing material was installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s good to ask if the roofing warranty is transferable should you sell your home.

Warranty Terms & Vocabulary

Because warranties can be very complex and complicated to understand, it can help to know some common terms and lingo used both in warranties and to describe warranty coverage. Here are a few industry terms and their definitions to help you understand more fully.

Contractor or Workmanship warranty: As weve discussed, the workmanship warranty is offered protection for labor and installation of your new roof.

Determination of applicability: When damage occurs on the roof, or there are signs of a leak, the contractor may sometimes determine the applicability of whether the type of damage should be included under warranty.

Extended warranty: Homeowners can sometimes have an opportunity to purchase an extended warranty which extends their existing warranty coverage. They are sometimes worth it depending on the length of the warranties offered or how long you plan to own your home.

Lifetime: A lifetime warranty means the coverage lasts for as long as you own your home/roof. It does not mean your life or the life of your roof.

Limited warranty: A limited warranty may mean only certain materials or aspects of the installation are covered.

Manufacturer warranty: A manufacturer warranty comes from the manufacturer of the product itself. Material/defect warranties are always going to be manufacturer warranties, whereas workmanship warranties would not be.

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What A Typical Home Warranty Covers

While home warranty plans may differ from company to company, a vast majority of these companies provide similar coverage. As a responsible homeowner, it is essential that you know what your home warranty plan options are and what a warranty will cover. Keep reading as we break down what a typical home warranty covers!

A home warranty is used to cover the costs of servicing, repairing, or replacing certain systems and appliances in your home. In this way, having a home warranty can protect your budget. Furthermore, the coverage provided by your standard home warranty is two-fold.

Let us take a look at the home systems covered by a typical home warranty. Generally, a home warranty will cover your electrical system, heating system, interior plumbing, and your water heater. Often, your roof will also be covered to some extent but well take a look at that in a moment.

Your average home warranty will also cover various appliances. From your dishwasher to your garbage disposal, from your oven to your garage door, home warranties cover many important appliances. Coverage for appliances like air conditioners, pool equipment, and refrigerators may also be covered by a home warranty.

Ultimately, the coverage offered by a home warranty will differ between providers. For this reason, its important to do your research about different home warranty options and what each will cover. In the next section, well take a look at roof coverage in more detail

Why Working With The Right Roofer Matters

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

In more than 60% of cases, the problems people experience with their roofs are not caused by faulty shingles, but by poor installation.

Thats why high-quality workmanship really matters.

When looking for a roofer, you need to make sure you:

  • Evaluate their workmanship warranties. Some roofers will provide coverage for three or five years, while others will extend that to as many as ten years.
  • Thoroughly research the companies youre considering. Find out how long they have been in business, and make sure they operate out of a dedicated physical location. Remember, a workmanship warranty is only as good as the company who provides it. If you experience an issue three years down the road and the company is no longer in business, the workmanship warranty will no longer protect you.
  • See what theyre like to work with. On their website, look for pictures of past projects and testimonials from their customers. You can also look for their Better Business Bureau rating and read reviews through third-party and independent sources like HomeStars.
  • Be sure they are licenced and insured. Your roofing contractor should have both General Liability and Workers Compensation. This not only keeps you financially protected in the event someone is hurt or something is damaged, but it is also something your insurance company will require in order to cover any costs associated with things like wind damage.

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What Is A Full System Or Manufacturers System Warranty

Full system or manufacturers system warranties are also issued by the manufacturer of the roofing materials but are broader in what they cover compared to the previously discussed manufacturer warranty that only covers the material. A full system warranty covers the material and certain instances of defective workmanship.

  • System warranties are usually 10 to 30 years, but can excuse the roofing professional that installed the roof from liability after only two years.
  • System warranties do not include leaks that are from non-manufacturer produced roofing components such as pitch pans, coping metal, edge metal and other commercial roof penetrations that commonly leak.
  • A full system roof warranty will cover labor and material costs for roof repairs as long as the roof repairs are NOT from fire, lightening, high winds, hail, earthquakes, misuse, vandalism or loss of integrity of the structure.
  • A full system warranty can cover other roofing materials besides the direct material such as a roofing membrane or shingles. It can also cover flashings and other accessories as outlined in the warranty.
  • What A Shingle Roof Warranty Covers

    There are 3 types of standard warranty coverage:

  • A manufacturer’s warranty is the most common type of roof warranty, which may provide coverage for 10 to 30 years. This type of warranty provides protection for defects or premature failure of the roofing materials caused by manufacturing defects.
  • A roof workmanship warranty is issued by the contractor who installs your new roof. This type of warranty covers the installation work and other labor associated with your roofing project. Typically, a roof workmanship warranty is good for 1 to 5 years, but some will guarantee their installation work for the lifetime of the roof. Special care should be taken to review this type of warranty for inclusions and exclusions.
  • A roofing labor warranty only covers the labor necessary to address an issue, but the cost of material is not. Your roofing contractor may offer this kind of warranty, but the services covered do not usually include errors due to installation.
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    What Roof Warranties Cover

    Unfortunately, its essentially impossible to find a warranty that will completely cover the cost of a full roof replacement. Roofs are expensive to repair and replace, and companies are not prepared to take on that cost on behalf of homeowners. However, that doesnt mean roof warranties wont significantly reduce repair costs. Heres a quick recap of the types of warranties and what they cover.

    Whats Covered

    What Types Of Damage Are Not Covered By A Shingle Warranty

    How Long Do Roof Warranties Last?

    Common exclusions include:

    • Consequential damages to ceilings, walls, windows, furniture, and other components inside and outside your home that are caused by a leaky roof.
    • Unauthorized repairs and/or the use of improper methods or materials during installation, which can void a manufacturers warranty.
    • Weather-related events such as winds, lighting, hail, earthquakes, and floods.
    • Structural distortions to your homes roof deck, walls, or foundation that impact your shingles.
    • Damage caused by installing equipment like satellite dishes or associated with making alterations or additions to your home.
    • Discolouration caused by algae , moss, mold, mildew, and fungus as well as paints or stains.
    • Inadequate ventilation, which might nullify your warranty entirely or prematurely limit its term.

    Again, restrictions and limitations will vary on a warranty-by-warranty basis, which is why you need to read yours thoroughly to ensure you understand it.

    Go to FAQs

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    How Do You Get A Roof Warranty

    You can get a service contract from your installer. Before work begins, ask your contractor about your options. A good contractor knows that their business depends on quality service. Given that, they should be eager to offer you full protection so that your roof continues to provide the same great protection as the day it was installed.

    Have your contractor explain each option in detail. Many contracts have stipulations on the type of materials covered, the type of issues covered and requirements for who must make repairs. There are also stipulations on how long your coverage lasts.

    Youll also want to ask about how long the coverage lasts. Materials service contracts range in length from 10 to 30 years. Some manufacturers even offer a lifetime warranty, which well discuss below.

    The length for an installer service contract is less than a manufacturer warranty. Ideally, make sure your contractor offers you at least a two-year option. That way, youll have plenty of time to notice any installation issues.

    The Roof Warranty: What They Cover And What You Need To Know

    Your roofer or the manufacturer of roofing supplies may provide a warranty to cover future damage. These warranties can be very useful, but they have limits! Heres what you need to know.

    The details can vary

    Not all roof warranties are the same. In fact, they can cover very different things, which is why its so important to read the details and pay attention to all the fine print.

    A common example is the difference between poor workmanship and faulty roof materials. Manufacturer warranty options only cover repairs if the roof materials are at fault, but not if the materials were installed incorrectly in other words, warranties dont cover any contractor mistakes, and you wont know until you actually ready the contract.

    Bottom line: Dont just sign warranties without understanding what they cover. When in doubt, ask.

    Other important problems may not be covered

    Roof warranties tend to only cover direct repairs and replacements. Other issues, while related, wont be covered. For instance, assume that you dont have enough vents on your attic due to a roof project that covered several vents up. The next winter, your attic has a big problem with condensation, boards start to warp and patches of mold appear. If you see any of this damage, check with Findlay Roofing for immediate repairs for these serious issues, but dont expect a previous roof warranty to cover them, because the condensation isnt directly related to the new roof.

    You can void your warranties

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    What Does A Roofing Material Warranty Cover

    A roof is always going to be a sizable investment. Because youre investing your hard-earned money, you need to know what protects your roof if theres ever a problem.

    Thats exactly what roof warranties are for. But there are a couple of warranties that each cover something different.

    While you need to know both types, were going to go over the one that protects your actual roofing materials.

    Here at Bill Ragan Roofing, we want to help you understand your fallback options if theres ever a problem with your roof. Thats why were going to give you everything you need to know about your roofing material warranty.

    Lets get to what a roofing material warranty is, what it covers, and how long it lasts.

    What Key Questions Do I Need To Ask When Evaluating Shingle Warranties

    Does a Home Warranty Cover Roof Replacement?

    Ultimately, you should consider:

    • What is the term of my warranty?
    • What types of defects or damages will be covered?
    • Will all costs be covered or only a portion of them?
    • What can void my warranty?
    • What are my responsibilities for maintaining my warranty?

    Being able to answer questions like these at the time of purchase will help you select the shingle warranty ideally suited to your needs and prepare you to effectively take advantage of it if the need arises down the road.

    Go to FAQs

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    Learn More About Workmanship Warranties

    When it comes to roof warranties, no two contracts are the same. However, there is a big difference between a workmanship warranty and a standard manufacturerâs warranty. In reality, there is a small likelihood of a roofing material failure. Most times, roofing problems occur due to an installation error. That is why having coverage for workmanship is a must. Of course, working with a reliable and reputable roofer can make all the difference in your experience. To learn more about how workmanship warranties work or to schedule a free roof evaluation, contact the expert Northern Virginia roofing contractors at Beyond Exteriors today.

    Are There Differences In Coverage Against Manufacturing Defects

    Nearly all manufacturers provide a warranty against manufacturing defects for their roofing products, but your exact coverage will vary depending on the brand. For example, homeowners who choose CertainTeed Roofing products are afforded complete coverage against ALL manufacturer defects, which is different from other manufacturer warranties that only cover defects that cause leaks or affect performance.

    Manufacturer warranties also vary depending on your shingle type. Most architectural shingles carry a lifetime or lifetime-limited – warranty against manufacturing defects. The fine print here is that lifetime usually refers to the original owner of the home when the shingles are installed, and limited means the product was installed as intended by the manufacturer. Most 3-tab shingles carry a 20 to 30-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. Its good to ask questions so you understand what is covered with the shingles you are choosing.

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    What Do We Usually Expect Out Of A Warranty

    A roofing warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance. Rather, it is a simple guarantee that the product or installation workmanship is free from defect and will live up to its claims of durability and longevity.

    Although there are different types of warranties, they increase or decrease in coverage by company and product type. Higher quality products often come with a higher-coverage warranty.

    How Warranties Work

    What does a Home Warranty Cover?

    People often think of a roof warranty in the same way they think of warranties on electronics, but nothing could be further from the truth. Roofs typically come with a two- to five-year warranty from the contractor that covers defects in the installation process, but beyond that, your warranty coverage is coming entirely from the manufacturers material warranty, and that only covers the materials that make up the roof.

    Building owners tend to think of warranties as insurance policies, but theyre not. Likewise, theyre not a maintenance agreement or a guarantee that the roof will be watertight or constructed with quality workmanship. Outside of the contractors warranty period, its only the materials that are covered. If the material naturally starts to come apart from dry rot or other natural elements, that would be covered, but those instances are rare. Roofing materials typically last as long as the warranty says they will.

    Despite that, its important to maintain your warranty even though the odds are that youll never need to use it. If your roof turns out to have a material defect, it can cost as much to fix as the original cost of your roof. Maintaining your warranty protects your wallet, not just your building.

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    How Much Is Covered

    Warranty specifics vary depending on a number of factors. Its important to pay attention to the verbiage of your warranties, even with simple things like leaks. If a leak is determined to be the fault of the installer, then the manufacturers warranty wont cover it. It also depends on how long it takes for you to notice the leak because by the time you notice something is wrong, you could be outside of the contractors warranty period.

    Pay special attention to the warranty exclusions as well. Most of them are items you might expect a warranty would cover. All warranties are different, so read your exclusions carefully and have a lawyer look them over too. Remember that it may not always be a storm that damages your roof you could have an air conditioning unit with a loose door that comes unhinged and punctures your membrane. Most warranties exclude punctures, so if equipment is what damages your roof, there goes your warranty. If you need to clarify any of the language, obtain an explanation in writing to keep with the rest of your warranty records.

    Other considerations to watch for include:

    Transfer of ownership. If you sell the building, the roof warranty may be void if it doesnt specifically stipulate that the warranty moves to the new owner.

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