Manufacturer Warranties

Warranties for shingles and roofing materials are something that every homeowner should look at before considering replacing an existing roof. Shingle manufacturers provide product warranties against manufacturing defects ranging from 20 to 40 years and longer.

Product warranties can cover a variety of shingle defects such as thermal splitting, some cases of granule loss, cupping, and curling. Warranties are usually for materials only, and not labor. So if you do receive new roofing materials due to a faulty product you will in most cases have to pay a roofer to install the new materials.

Incidental and consequential damages are damages that occur inside building structures due to faulty roofing materials. These damages are rarely, if ever, covered by manufacturer warranties and are usually the responsibility of the homeowner or the insurance company to repair.

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, hail storms, and high winds in excess of 50 mph are not covered by the manufacturer and are usually an issue the homeowner has to take up with their insurance provider. Also, shingle manufacturers do not honor their manufacturer warranty due to improper installations. If you do have a roofing problem due to improper installation it is recommended that you contact your installer and inform them of the problem.

Most of the time manufacturer warranties are prorated and are non-transferable, meaning if you have a roof for 10 years and you have a 20 year warranty you will only be reimbursed for the remaining 10 years of the roofs original warranty. Non-transferable means that if you were to sell your house, the warranty would be voided and could not be transferred to the new homeowner.

As a homeowner it is important that you ask for and receive a copy of the manufacturer's product warranty before making a decision on which materials you want to use before replacing an existing roof.

Is My Roof Damaged?

Identifying roof damage is a pivotal aspect of being a homeowner. Roof damage can be caused by an assortment of different factors such as high winds, extreme hot/cold temperatures, large gusts of wind, and falling objects such as tree branches. Damages to roofs should be repaired immediately to prevent any additional damage from materializing.

While inspecting your roof for damage it is important to look for obvious signs of damage such as fallen debris on or nearby your home. If you do come across fallen debris it is important that you inspect the surrounding roof areas of your home for such damages as cracked or broken shingles.

Upon inspecting your roof for damages you may come across areas of the roof that may be missing shingles completely. Most of the time this is due to high winds, and the missing shingles can usually be found in the surrounding area. Shingles can come off in complete sections or randomly dispersed throughout the entirety of the roof.

Water damage and leaking in the attic can also occur do to exterior roof damages. Water stains and any discoloration on the plywood underneath the shingles may be apparent signs that you might have damages to your roof.

Homeowners are encouraged to routinely inspect their homes for any roof damages throughout the year. If you do come across any damages it is recommended that you contact a roofing expert to get the proper advice on how to immediately fix any damages and to prevent additional damages from occurring.