Your roof’s warranty is a guarantee by the roofing materials manufacturer.
What are they guaranteeing exactly?
They are guaranteeing the quality of the roofing they made.
That means, in the case of a manufacturer’s defect, the manufacturer will pay for repairs or replacement of the materials. And sometimes they will pay for the labor as well.
However, all roofing warranties limit the manufacturer’s liability by listing in detail what will void the warranty.
Each warranty is different (and we encourage you to carefully read yours). But here are three common things that can void most roof warranties.
1) Improper work/poor workmanship
It’s your responsibility to find a quality roofer, not the manufacturers. So if your roof has an issue due to shoddy workmanship during an installation or repair, the warranty won’t cover it.
A few common instances of poor workmanship that void warranty include:
Improper attic ventilation—Improper attic venting can lead to moisture buildup that can cause mold growth and wood rot. The key to proper attic ventilation is to create continuous air circulation throughout the attic space while preventing moisture from entering. Learn more about attic ventilation.
Incorrect installation—Roofing manufacturers strictly regulate how to install their roofs. For example, shingle manufacturers detail how many nails should be used per shingle and the length of the nail. Foam roofs (a common roof in AZ) are formed by mixing 2 liquid compounds. You’ll need someone who has the right equipment and knows how to mix and apply the foam to get the job done right. So hire a quality contractor that’s familiar with the type of roof you want installed.
Here’s a simple 3-step method to find a quality roofer.
2) Hiring an unlicensed roofer
A license is proof that you’re hiring a roofer who meets certain roofing quality standards and building codes.
So hiring an unlicensed roofer brings in a lot of uncertainty about the quality of their work.
Manufacturers know this. So often hiring an unlicensed contractor to install or repair a roof can void your roof’s warranty.
Learn more about the dangers of hiring unlicensed roofing contractors.
3) Poor/no roofing maintenance
Some warranties just “recommend” maintenance. But many require it.
If it IS required, find out specifically:
- What you need to do to maintain the roof according to the warranty
- How often you need to do those maintenance tasks according to the warranty
You should keep record of every roofing repair and inspection to prove you have complied with the warranties terms and conditions.
Don’t know how to maintain a roof? Check out our article Arizona Roof Maintenance: 6 Simple Ways to Prevent Pricy Roofing Problems.
Don’t want to maintain the roof yourself?
Lyons Roofing offers roofing maintenance and free roof inspections for homeowners in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Just give us a call or contact us online.