Investing in a new roof for your home is a significant investment and like any major investment, it should come with a warranty to ensure protection. For homeowners in South Florida, where hurricane season frequently causes property damage, having a solid warranty is especially critical.
A reputable roofing contractor, such as ABC Roofing, offers warranties that extend for a few years, safeguarding your investment. Understanding the coverage of these warranties is essential, particularly if any issues arise after installation.
What Is A Warranty?
A warranty is a company’s commitment to repair or replace defective materials or workmanship within a specific time frame. The duration of a warranty can vary depending on the scope of the project and materials used, ranging from full roof replacement to minor repairs. It’s crucial that your warranty is provided in writing and saved in a safe place. A trustworthy company will have no hesitation in offering a warranty for their work.
Two Types Of Warranties Offered By Roofing Contractors
Roofing contractors typically provide 2 main types of warranties after completing an installation or repair:
1) Workmanship Warranty
This type of warranty covers the work done by the company that you hire and is intended to protect your investment against any mistakes or carelessness that was made. These types of warranties can last anywhere from 5 to 10 or 20 years, depending on the work done. Additionally, some companies offer lifetime warranties on their work.
2) Material Warranty
This type of warranty is issued by the manufacturer of the materials used on your roof such as shingles, underlayment, flashing, etc. The roofing contractor may apply everything perfectly, but perhaps one of the shingles wasn’t made properly and developed a crack within a short time after installation. Individual components of a roofing system may also be covered.
What Do Roofing Warranties Cover?
Roofing warranties can vary between companies, but they generally cover the following:
Installation Errors
Although rare, mistakes during the installation process can happen. For example, if the wrong shingles are ordered, delaying the project, the contractor is responsible for correcting the error without additional cost to the homeowner.
Long-term Damage
Living in South Florida means exposure to extreme weather conditions, which can impact the durability of your roof. While a well-built roof can withstand harsh wind, rain, and debris, damage over time is inevitable. Many warranties cover repairs for damages that occur within a certain time after installation.
To minimize damage, it’s recommended that you schedule regular roof inspections with your contractor. This helps catch minor issues before they escalate, protecting your home from leaks, mold, and other internal damages.
Defective Materials
Occasionally, materials may arrive defective due to manufacturing issues. If shingles are damaged upon arrival or after installation, your contractor’s warranty should cover the replacement costs. Keep in mind that manufacturers may also offer their own warranties, so it’s a good idea to ask your roofing contractor about these options.
What Roofing Warranties Do Not Cover
While warranties provide valuable protection, there are certain things they typically do not cover:
DIY Repairs
Do-it-yourself projects can be tempting, but when it comes to roofing, attempting repairs yourself can void your warranty. Work performed by someone who is not a certified roofing professional may not meet the standards required for warranty coverage, leaving you responsible for future repair costs. Additionally, DIY roof repairs can be dangerous and are best left to trained professionals.
Hiring Another Roofing Company
If you hire a different roofing company to perform work on your roof, your original warranty may become void. Roofing contractors can only guarantee their work, so be cautious about bringing in another company.
Roofing Contractors In South Florida
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, especially in South Florida’s challenging weather conditions. Protect your investment by choosing a trusted roofing contractor like ABC Roofing. With over 30 years of experience serving South Florida, we are here to help with all your residential roofing repairs. For questions or a quote, call us today at 954-344-4622.
