Do you have a leak or another roof problem that you want to get taken care of through a warranty? Do you want to be sure you you don't or didn't do anything to void your roof warranties?
Roof warranties are in place to protect your roof investment if there’s ever a problem. But just like other types of warranties, there are things that void them.
And trust me, a roofer or the manufacturer will immediately recognize if something was done that voids a warranty. So, it's crucial that you understand what voids roof warranties before doing anything, especially if you're still in the warranty period.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand the protections and warranties they get with their roof replacement. That's why I'll break down the things that voids a roof warranty and how to avoid it.
By the end of this article, you'll learn:
- What voids a roof warranty?
- How do you avoid voiding a roof warranty?
What voids a roof warranty?
There are two types of roof warranties that protect your roof from problems after installation. You get one on the roofing contractor’s workmanship, and the other is from the manufacturer on their materials, shingles and roofing components.
Both roof warranties can be voided by a number of things, and some of the reasons on this list void one or even both.
Let's break down the following things that void a roof warranty:
- Improper roof installation
- Poor attic ventilation
- Getting roof work done by a different roofing contractor
- DIY roof work
- Pressure washing your roof
Improper roof installation
The first thing that voids a roof warranty is improper roof installation, specifically the manufacturer warranty. Manufacturers simply won’t stand behind their products if they weren’t installed per the instructions to function correctly.
Not only does improper installation ruin your material warranties, but it also means insurance won’t cover your roof in the event of storm damage. So, your only option for problems caused by poor installation is the roofer's workmanship warranty, if it's still in the warranty period.
That's why hiring a roofing contractor with a strong installation history is not only crucial for a roof's longevity, but also to ensure your material warranties stay valid.
Poor attic ventilation
Your attic’s ventilation system allows your home and roof to breathe properly by moving air in and out of your attic to keep a consistent temperature. Without proper ventilation, trapped air shortens your roof’s lifespan and affects your home's energy efficiency.
However, it also voids your roofing material warranties for the exact same reason that improper roof installation does. Manufacturers simply won’t stand behind products if they aren’t able to perform because installation instructions were ignored or not followed.
(Damage caused by inadequate attic ventilation)
So, you have to rely on your roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty to fix problems caused by poor attic ventilation. However, a roofer not willing to ensure the attic is properly ventilated beforehand most likely provided a short term warranty.
Getting roof work done by a different roofing contractor
Your roofing contractor gives you a workmanship warranty to protect your investment. However, some homeowners go through another roofer or a general contractor to add something to the roof, cheaper repairs, or other work on/around the roof.
Well, the roofing contractor provided a workmanship warranty only guaranteeing their work and the quality of it. If you get roof work done by anyone, you’re voiding the workmanship warranty from the roofing contractor that did the original installation.
It's impossible to stand behind craftsmanship if another trade or contractor does anything to mess with it. After all, it doesn't make sense to eat the cost of a problem caused by someone else's work.
Luckily, if you get work done or add additions, it doesn’t necessarily mean the entire roof’s workmanship warranty is voided. Usually, it’s only the specific area that was worked on.
However, this varies by roofing contractor. That’s why you need to check the fine print of your original estimate and go over your warranty paperwork before getting anything else done.
DIY roof work
There are a lot of resources that can help you do pretty much any kind of project around the house, which has led to an increase in DIY roof work in recent years. I get being self-sufficient and saving money where you can.
But as soon as you start doing your own roof repair or affecting roof areas, you void both roof warranties. Unfortunately, I have seen cases where homeowners try to do repairs, fail to fix the leak, and then try to fall back on their workmanship warranty.
But because they messed with the work, they have to pay out of pocket to fix a problem that the warranty would’ve covered in the first place. Before doing a DIY roof repair, look at your warranty information and get the leak taken care of professionally if it’s still covered.
Pressure washing your roof
As a roof ages, it develops algae streaks that look like black lines coming down the roof. This isn’t a big deal for some homeowners, but others hate the look.
The only way to get rid of these algae streaks is to clean your roof, which most homeowners assume is done by pressure washing. This not only damages shingles, but it also voids both warranties.
Pressure washing a roof damages and takes the protective granules off of shingles, shortening the life of your roof and speeding up the need for a replacement. Obviously, a manufacturer or roofing contractor won’t cover damages caused by pressure washing.
And if you seriously want to clean your roof, DO NOT hire a roofing contractor. Instead, you need to find a company that specializes in soft washing and roof cleaning specifically.
How do you avoid voiding a roof warranty?
Obviously, you can avoid voiding roof warranties by not doing certain things, such as using another roofer, doing DIY work, and pressure washing a roof. But the best ways to avoid voiding a roof warranty is to hire a reputable roofing contractor and invest in quality instead of finding the cheapest price.
Looking for the lowest price makes you susceptible to bad roofers who do poor work. Pricing is always an important consideration, but you should go for affordability instead of cheap labor and materials.
And when it comes to a reputable roofer, the length of workmanship warranty tells you a lot. The longer they stand behind their work, the more confidence you’ll have that the job will be done right, which means warranties get honored.
In my opinion, roofing contractors who trust their workmanship and use quality materials should provide at least a 10-year workmanship warranty. That way, even if there is a problem down the road, you can get it taken care of.
But if a roofer shortcuts or uses cheaper materials, they’ll offer a warranty that’ll expire just before the cracks start to show. That's why warranty length is a big consideration when getting estimates and choosing a roofer.
What other qualities should you look for in a roofer?
After reading this article, you know what voids roof warranties. At the end of the day, warranties are in place to protect your roof investment.
If you have a problem, just call the roofer that installed your roof to talk about next steps. It only takes one bad decision or hire to get rid of those protections.
But either way, you need a roofing contractor you can trust to deliver the quality expected to keep warranties active.
Unfortunately, finding a trusted roofer isn't as easy as should be with the oversaturation in the roofing industry right now.
That’s why I wrote another article with the tips you need to find a great roofing contractor in your area.
Check out 9 Tips to Find a Great Roofing Contractor to learn what to look for in a trustworthy roofer.
