Roofing Manufacture’s Warranty VS. Roofing Labor Warranty

Let’s face it many things we buy, we know there is some sort of warranty. Well the same is true for roof replacement. Well, how many of us have read through our warranties. We sometimes remember that there is generally a one-year manufactures warranty on almost everything we buy. Few purchases cost as much as roof replacement. So, lets get these warranties straight. Roof replacement generally comes with two warranties. The manufactures warranty and the roofer’s craftsmanship warranty. Let’s take a look at the difference.

Roofing is an extremely important component to a home. As we have mentioned in previous posts, the roof is the defense against the elements. We know a roof can take some serious abuse. We have also posted about signs of roof damage. When we notice these damages occur do, we call a roofer or do we call a manufacturer? In the short of it, call a roofer and have the roof protected to prevent further damage. Ask the roofer to assess for possible insurance involvement. The roofer who installed this roof will have a craftsmanship warranty for the installation of the roof. The Roofers craftsmanship or labor warranty generally ranges from one to thirty years. Very few offer a lifetime warranty.

The roofing labor warranty will cover any issues associated to improper installation of the roof. Some roofers will even fix problems unrelated to the craftsmanship just to be a kind roofer and hopefully demonstrate dependability. Things that usually are not covered under a labor warranty are things like wind damage to the roof or severe cases of loss like fires. It does protect against any leaks. If a roof leaks after replacement, any reputable roofer will do the right thing and fix the problem. Be careful of the “fly by night” roofing companies.

If the roofer’s craftsmanship warranty fixes all of those issues, what is the roofing manufacturers warranty going to cover. The main thing that any manufacturers warranty covers against is a defect. Well what is a defected roof? How long before a defect is going to show up? How can we prevent a defected roof from turning into a larger problem? Shingles that are defective will tend to lose all of the granules or crack and curl prematurely. How long the roof is going to last depends on the shingle you purchase. All manufactures have different layers of warranty. A thirty-year or fifty-year warranty is most common. These usually come with a starter period such as ten-year full roof replacement or fifteen-year full roof replacement. The remaining time of the roof warranty is called pro-rated. Therefore, every year after the starter period, the amount of coverage degrades with age.

If there is an issue or question, call your local roofer and ask. We are always happy to help. If the roofer who installed the roof did a good job and is still around, give them a call. A roofer is always happy to satisfy a warranty. We will even help through the process of obtaining the roofing manufacturer’s warranty.