Why Are Roofing Warranties Important?

Is your roof protected by a great warranty? If not, you’re putting your financial future at risk. Replacing a damaged roof isn’t a cheap home repair. Depending on the size, the pitch, and the type of roofing materials used, roof replacement can soar well into the five-figures. Don’t count on your homeowner’s insurance to cover all these costs either. When it comes to acts of nature like windstorms, hail, snow, and lightening, your insurance kicks in. This isn’t the case when you’re faced with a roof defect. That’s why you need to make sure you have a superior roof warranty.

Don’t All Roof Materials Come With a Warranty?

The fact that your roof has a warranty isn’t the point. Yes, most roof materials come with a warranty. However, you want to make sure your purchase is adequately protected for many years. A five-year warranty isn’t sufficient. No one replaces their roof every five years. The average roof, barring any weather-related damage, lasts as long as 20 years. Your warranty should last twice as long.

Roof Risks and Warranty - Why Are Roofing Warranties Important

Roof Risks and Warranty

The warranty on your roof protects you from accidents that could damage it. For example, if the new roof you have installed on your home has a fault or defect originating from the manufacturing stage, then you’ll have to pay out of your pocket to repair that. If you have a warranty though, you won’t pay a single dime.

What Does a Roof Warranty Cover?

What Does a Roof Warranty Cover - Why Are Roofing Warranties Important

Knowing what your warranty covers is just as important as how many years of coverage you receive. Great roof warranties provide the following coverages:

Material defects: You need a roofing system that is built strong to take numerous lashings from Mother Nature and other harsh outdoor elements. If a roof begins to show early signs of wear and tear, this affects things such as your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. An excellent manufacture warranty goes into action in these situations and covers material defects due to premature wear and tear.

Long coverage: When purchasing shingles, not all warranties are equal. Whereas a 25-year warranty is fine for 3-Tab shingles, that won’t cut it for dimensional shingles. Dimensional shingles require a 50-year warranty for the best protection.

Insure against poor workmanship: Roof needs repair every once and a while for minor things. Maybe you need shingles replaced because a few started to warp. Or, perhaps the flashing popped up and needs to be nailed back down. Although these are straightforward repairs, sometimes repairs go wrong and compromise the integrity of the roof. Sometimes the wrong people install the new roof and problems start showing up a couple years down the line. Superior warranties protect homeowners who have been the victims of poor workmanship or installation.

Peace of Mind

The roof is arguably one of the most expensive parts of the home to replace and repair. The last thing you want is to spend a hefty sum on a new roof that with a defect or fault from the manufacturing stage. Warranties are peace of mind that whatever happens, your new roof system is protected and insured.

Work With a Leading Roofing Contractor

When you’re ready to replace your roof, only work with reputable roofing contractors who warrant their work and use roofing materials that come with excellent warranties. While many roofing companies warrant their workmanship, that warranty is only as good as long as the company stays in business. If the company goes under, your warranty protection disappears. This is why it’s always a good idea to make sure your material warranty covers installation problems.

5 Signs You Need Roof Repair

Like everything else in your home, your roof will inevitably need repairs at some point. But sitting so high above your front door, the signs that it’s time for a repair aren’t always obvious. And while you should always have an expert examine your roof (since they can do so safely), there are things you can look for from the ground.

1. Visible Leaks

Visible Leaks - 5 Signs You Need Roof Repair

One of the most common signs that you need a roof replacement is an obvious leak. Roof leaks occur for many reasons, ranging from worn out materials to storm damage. As roofing materials weaken, water is able to seep in through the shingles and into the rest of the house. This leads to water intrusion, and often, visible puddles during rain storms. Sometimes small leaks can be patched or repaired by a roofing contractor, but in many cases, small leaks go undetected until they are much larger and require a bigger fix.

If you have a large, persistent roof leak, or there are multiple leaks throughout the roof, it’s time to consider replacing your roof. The best way to find out the extent of the damage is to have it inspected by a professional roofing company.

One way to save a lot of money and lengthen the life of your roof is to use rubber paint for roofs to seal your roof and stop leaks. Find a rubber roofing company near you to learn more.

2. Interior Water Damage

Interior Water Damage - 5 Signs You Need Roof Repair

A visible drip isn’t the only sign of a roof leak. Many times a leaky roof will manifest in the form of interior water damage. This often looks like streaks, stains, or water spots in the attic, or the ceiling or walls of your home. Water damage can be caused by other issues, like a burst pipe, leaking appliance, or faulty faucet, but if it’s showing up in the attic, on the ceiling, or near the tops of your walls, it is likely caused by a leaky roof.

In this case, the best course of action is to hire a professional roofing contractor to check your roof and determine if it’s the source of the leak. If a roof leak is present, they will determine the extent of the damage and the best solution. In many cases it will be a new roof.

3. Curling, Missing, or Mossy Shingles

In some cases, roof damage is obvious from the ground. Shingles are the gateway to your roofing system, so if you notice missing, curling, or cracked shingles when you look at your roof, it’s probably time for a roof replacement.

Some of the most common forms of visible shingle damage include:

  • Cracked shingles
  • Damaged or curled shingles
  • Loose or missing shingles
  • Damage or discoloration around vents
  • Missing granules

4. Moss or algae growth

Moss or Algae Growth

It’s also a good idea to check your gutters for shingle debris. Debris in the gutters can indicate that the shingles are reaching the end of their lifespan and beginning to disintegrate.

If you see any signs of damage on your roof, it’s a good indication that it’s time for a roof replacement. Schedule an inspection with a roofing professional to help you determine the extent of the damage, and the best way to fix it.

5. A Sagging Roofline

Another way to know that you need a new roof is to look at the shape of your roofline. Your roof lines should be straight and strong. If you notice dipping, curving, or visible sagging it’s important to investigate the cause. While a sagging roofline could be caused by a framing issue, it can also be caused by a water-saturated roof deck. If this is the case, you may need a new roof to fix the problem.

If a sagging roofline is accompanied by visible shingle damage, leaks, or water damage, it’s important to act quickly to fix the problem before it gets worse. In some cases, a sagging roofline can lead to a partial or complete cave in.