What is Your Roofing Warranty Worth?
When it comes to roofing warranties, there is a big difference between a limited manufacturer material warranty and one that warranties both material and labor. A roofing warrant that covers both labor and materials must be backed by the manufacturer to be of any value. Because of the potential costs involved, roofing product manufacturers do not let just any old roofing company offer these much more comprehensive warranties.
Labor and material warranties are important due to the financial protection they provide. Paying for the materials is one thing, but it is quite another thing to pay for the cost of removing the old ones, fixing any damage that might have been done, and replacing the shingles or membrane materials with new ones.
What that means is that if the membrane or shingles were to fail during the life of the warranty, you will be covered not only for the cost of the membrane or shingles, but also for the costs associated with tear off and replacement. Limited material warranties – even manufacturer’s warranties of this type – will cover the materials, but not the labor involved in removing and replacing them.
A roof is said to “fail” when it no longer does the job it is intended to do, or starts to deteriorate due to defective materials or improper installation. Roof failure can be brought on by external factors such as wind or hail, but is usually the result of poor installation.
How they are handled before and during an installation has an effect on the serviceability of asphalt shingles. If they are not stored according to the manufacturer’s specifications they may not adhere properly or lie flat. Improper nailing or flashing can also cause an asphalt roof to fail.
Tell tale signs of a poor roofing job are thermal splitting, cracking, blistering or staining of shingles. Shingles can also curl or cup if they are not handled or installed correctly. The condition called “fishmouthing” is not the same as cupping or curling brought on by normal aging. Fishmouthing is usually caused by poor attic venting leading to moisture building up beneath the shingles.
Roofing firms that are authorized to offer the manufacturer’s labor and material warranties have demonstrated a proven track record of installing the manufacturer’s roofing product in accordance with very high installation standards. For example, GAF – the largest shingle manufacturer in North America – has three different Master Elite Excellence Awards that can be awarded to roofing companies: Consumer Protection, Training, and Installation, and only the very best roofing companies receive these designations.
This is because most roofs fail because of poor or improper installation. Utilizing a company certified by the manufacturer to offer their labor and material warranty gives the consumer the comfort of knowing that only expert installers are working on their project. In addition, a manufacturer representative will inspect the installation while it is happening, to ensure the roof is being put on correctly. Only when that installation receives a 100% compliance score from the manufacturer will it be approved. Any installation deficiencies must be fixed until the manufacturer certifies it as a perfectly installed roof.
Nick Messe is president of The Lead Frog LLC. Northern Virginia Roofing has been doing NW DC residential roofing and commercial roofing projects in the DC metro area for more than 40 years! Northern Virginia Roofing is the only 6 time national award winner in the DC metro area. We can offer a 20 year labor warranty held by the manufacturer – http://www.nvroofs.com
