Avoid Voiding Your Roof Warranty

Roof Warranties: What Is and Is Not Included

A storm blew through Chester County last week, and your roof lost a few shingles.

You can just replace them yourself, right?

Wrong. Not unless you want to void your roof warranty and risk paying for extensive repairs down the road if something goes wrong.

A roof is a big investment, so you need to keep it under warranty for as long as possible.

What’s Included in a Roofing Warranty

A roofing warranty is a safeguard against defects, material failure, or installation issues. It’s important to understand what a warranty typically covers to ensure you get the most out of it and don’t accidentally void it.

If you’re not sure how to read your warranty contract or have specific questions, give your roofer a call!

Only work with a roofing company that guarantees their work. At GP Martini Roofing, this is our Installed System Warranty.

Coverage

Warranties will only cover the portions of your roof originally installed by the specific roofing company.

As long as these materials remain unaltered and haven’t reached their expected life, we will ensure their work and the products perform according to the manufacturer’s life expectancy.

Material Performance

Roofing warranties often cover the performance of the materials used in your roof.

We guarantee that the products they install will perform as designed for the expected life of the materials, given the specific conditions of your property. If they do not, we will replace them at no additional cost.

For asphalt roofs, we provide an extended “For the Life of Your Roof” guarantee. This means that if you have a Lifetime architectural shingle roof system installed by us and experience a roof leak, we will repair it under most conditions at no cost.

Wind Damage

Most exterior products have a wind rating. If a storm produces winds below this level, the manufacturer usually covers at least a portion of the loss. 

We pick up where the manufacturer leaves off.  If such a storm damages your exterior components during the period of their ordinary expected life, we will provide the labor and any portion of materials not covered by your roof materials warranty.

System Coverage

The warranty often includes all repairs or installations made by the roofing company, which includes more than just the roof.

This encompasses a range of exterior components, including siding, windows, gutters, decks, doors, and framing.

Timely Repairs

Roofing companies will likely commit to making necessary repairs promptly to prevent further damage to your structure and interior belongings.

Good roofing companies will take care of you even after our original work is completed.

What Could Void Your Roofing Warranty

As beneficial as a roofing warranty can be, there are specific actions and situations that can void it. Understanding these factors is crucial to ensuring your warranty remains valid:

Altered Materials

If you make changes to the materials originally installed by the roofing company, your warranty may become void.

Any unauthorized alterations, like replacing roofing nails yourself, can impact the performance and integrity of the roof.

Using Other Contractor

If you have changes or repairs made to your roof without using the original roofing contractor, that original warranty contract will now be null and void.

In special circumstances, this may not apply, but always call your original contractor to make sure before moving forward.

End of Expected Life

Once the installed materials have reached the end of their expected life, the roofing warranty typically no longer applies.

If your contract has the expected life of your asphalt roof at 20 years, and it’s 23 years old, it’s past the expected life.

It’s important to keep track of the expected lifespan of your roofing materials.

Severe Weather Conditions

While roofing warranties cover storm damage within certain wind rating limits, which has a minimum limit of 90 mph in PA, extremely high winds or severe storms can void the warranty.

If your area experiences wind speeds above the materials’ wind rating, the roofer may not be responsible for repairs or material replacement.

Failure to Follow Cleaning & Inspection Guidelines

Neglecting regular roof cleanings and inspection schedules can void your warranty.

Some warranties require homeowners to perform routine inspections (most of the time twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall) and address minor issues like loose shingles or clogged gutters promptly to prevent major problems.

Non-Compliance with Installation Guidelines

Roofing manufacturers often have specific guidelines for installation.

If the materials are not installed correctly according to these guidelines, the warranty may be voided. It’s crucial to hire experienced and reputable roofing contractors to ensure proper installation.

How to Make Changes Without Voiding Your Warranty

It’s natural for homeowners to want to make changes or upgrades to their roofs over time. Fortunately, you can work with your roofing company to make these changes without voiding your warranty. Here’s how:

Communicate with Your Roofing Company: If you’re planning changes or upgrades to your roof, such as adding solar panels or a skylight, it’s essential to communicate with your roofing company.

They can advise you on how to proceed while preserving the warranty.

Professional Installation: When making changes to your roof, ensure that any alterations are professionally installed and adhere to manufacturer guidelines.

This will help maintain the integrity of the roof and keep the warranty valid.

Documentation: Keep thorough records of any changes or upgrades made to your roof. This documentation can be essential in case you need to file a warranty claim in the future.

Long-term Protection for Your Chester County Home with Our Guarantee

You probably don’t think twice about your roof until you’re staring down repairs or you’re itching for an upgrade.

Either way, roofs are big investments that need to be protected.

In Chester County where we can get high winds and intense storms, you want that protection and peace of mine.

If you’re thinking about an upgrade, give your roofer a call and make sure to protect your roof warranty.

If you’re about to get a replacement, don’t forget to ask about an Installed System Warranty!

Reach out to GP Martini Roofing Co. and request an estimate.