Understanding Your Roofing Warranty: What Denver Homeowners Need to Know
If you’ve had a new roof installed on your home in the last 10 years or so, the odds are good that it’s still under warranty. But there are some scenarios that might void your warranty, like ignoring necessary maintenance and repairs, failing to register your warranty, or hiring a new contractor to perform any work or repairs on your existing roof.
Roofing warranties can seem overwhelmingly complicated, and understanding them is important so you can make an informed decision about what works best for you. Here’s what Denver homeowners need to know about roofing warranties.
Understand Your Roofing Warranty
There are several types of roofing warranties, and it’s important to know about each one. Roofing warranties vary by manufacturer and material, and roofing company. Be sure to read the details so you understand what is covered under your warranty, are not surprised if you have an issue.
Standard Manufacturer Roofing Warranty
Typically, your roofing manufacturer warranty comes with coverage for anywhere from 25 to 50 years, depending on the type of warranty that you purchased, the material, and the manufacturer. It protects against material defects and failures for what’s considered the lifetime of the material. It does not protect against poor workmanship, so make sure you’ve hired a trusted local roofing contractor. This warranty covers the products that you purchased. Most manufacturer warranties cover the cost of defective materials, and not the tear-off fees and disposal fees of failed shingles.
Installation or Contractor Warranty
The contractor who installs your roof plays a key role in how your roof performs and in the lifespan of your roof. Your roofing contractor may offer an installation or contractor warranty to cover workmanship for a limited period of time. This type of warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty and covers craftsmanship and installation. When you’re vetting a roofing contractor for a roof replacement, be sure to ask them the right questions about their services, including what is and isn’t covered in their installation warranty. It’s also important to understand if they offer repair services. This warranty from your contractor covers your roof installation.
Extended Manufacturer’s Warranty
Select roofing material manufacturers — like GAF, Malarkey, IKO, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning — offer extended manufacturer warranties that cover both the workmanship and the materials for an extended period of time, typically up to 50 years. These usually require that you invest in a total roofing system and have it installed by a certified contractor in their network.
What Might Void Your Roofing Warranty
- Poor or improper installation of your roof
- Lack of maintenance or repairs to your roof
- DIY repairs like laying new materials over existing roofing material
- Neglecting to register your warranty
- Modifications like penetrating or removing shingles
- Improper attic ventilation
- Using a different roofing contractor while under warranty to make repairs
What a Typical Roof Warranty Covers
A roof warranty is designed to ensure that your roofing system is protected from manufacturer product defects and roof installation issues. A typical roof warranty does not cover damage from storms, hail storms, floods or fires, or alterations to your roof after it was installed. Weather related damage falls under your homeowners insurance policy. But it’s important to note that depending on your insurance company, and where you live, you may need to purchase add-on insurance to protect your home from certain types of weather damage. It’s important to understand what your roof warranty covers and what you need to have covered by your insurance.
Register Your Roofing Warranty
One very important note about your roofing warranty is that you must register your warranty for it to work. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s requirements for registering your warranty. Failure to register your warranty with the manufacturer when the roof is installed can void the warranty and leave you without coverage. If an authorized contractor is handling the installation of your new roof, they may have to register its warranty with the manufacturer within a specified time frame.
Transferable Warranties
Not all manufacturer warranties are transferable, and many warranties are transferable only one time. There may also be a time limit on how long it is transferrable. A typical scenario for transferring a roofing warranty is when buying or selling a home. Depending on the warranty there might be transfer fees, and a specific process to follow.
Work With the Same Contractor for Inspections and Service
Another important note is that if you need roofing services like a repair or replacement while your roof is under warranty, you must work with the original contractor. Keep their information handy so you can reach out with any questions, concerns, and schedule regular inspections with them…especially after strong Colorado hail storms!
The J&K Approach to Roofing Warranties
J&K Roofing provides a 5-year labor warranty on typical installation. Different roofing materials, however, have different manufacturer warranties (e.g., asphalt is different from slate) that range anywhere from 20 years to a lifetime in duration. As a preferred installer for most manufacturers, we also offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty, which refers to the manufacturer warranty on defective shingles but does not apply to normal wear and tear. Your Project Manager will simplify the process and walk you through available warranty options on the product that you are purchasing.
We’d love to talk with you about your roofing needs, including how our expert service, experience, and warranty set us apart as the go-to roofing contractor in Colorado. Get in touch today. 303-425-7531