I was visiting with a previous customer here in Edmond, Oklahoma the other day and he told me that his neighbor that just got a new roof a few months ago may need to have the roof replaced again due to a possible manufacture defect. His neighbors roof is experiencing some excessive granule loss to the exposed face of the shingles. There is a good possibility that the granule loss that is occurring is part of the weathering process but if the actual shingle is defective then he will need to file a claim with the manufacture and have it replaced.
Manufacture defects happen all the time, but what does the manufacture actually cover and do they cover the complete roof system or a partial replacement?
Depending on the manufacture, style or grade the standard warranty listed on the shingles might read limited lifetime warranty. When purchasing a shingle with a limited lifetime warranty a customer might believe that they have a full warranty for life on the shingles and are completely covered if anything happens to the shingle and that’s not necessarily true.
These standard limited lifetime warranty’s typically only cover the shingles themselves and the labor to install them. The standard limited lifetime warranty also doesn’t include the shingle starter, felt, ice and water, hip and ridge, nails or labor to remove and haul way the existing shingle debris. That lifetime warranty you thought you had only covers about half the cost of a new roof. Another downfall from the basic warranty is that after about 10 years the coverage rate and cost the manufacture will cover depreciates and diminishes in value. There will always be some sort of warranty on the roof but if you waited to turn a claim in 50 years later you would be luck to get $50.00 towards a new roof. Ouch!
Manufactures do however offer a complete roof system. The complete roof system covers the actual shingles and labor to install them plus the shingle starter, felt, ice and water, hip and ridge, nails and labor to remove and haul way existing debris. The complete roof system also doesn’t depreciate after 10 years. The complete roof system is a true lifetime warranty that covers manufacture defects. If your roof was installed per the complete roof system manufacture requirements then you can rest assure that the manufacture will cover the cost to replace your roof 100% if a material defect has taken place.
In order to get a complete roof system your roofer will need to follow the manufacture installation instructions and recommendations. Your roofer will then need to register the roof upon completion. Most shingles manufactures require the roofer to install the manufactures shingles plus at least 3 matching accessories like starter shingle, ice and water, felt and hip and ridge to qualify for the complete roof system. The roofer can’t mix and match products and is required to send in proof with copies of the material invoices to register the warranty.
Some roofers will cut corners to save a couple bucks and the majority of their customers have no idea. All they know is that the shingles say limited lifetime warranty so they should be covered, WRONG! Check with your roofer and make sure the roof is being installed correctly and make sure they aren’t swapping out name brand materials with cheap products. Ask your roofer for a copy of the warranty for your records.
Marlatt Roofing is certified contractor here in Edmond, Oklahoma and will always follow the manufacture requirements and recommendations. We install full and complete roof systems. Marlatt Roofing uses the best of the best products to ensure their work preforms and out last the others.
If you want to know more about complete roof systems contact us HERE
