Not sure what your roofing warranty actually covers? Worried you’ll get stuck with surprise costs when something goes wrong?
RoofSmart customers in Seattle often ask us what’s really covered under our warranties, especially with all the rain, moss, and maintenance issues roofs face here. We know how unnecessarily confusing it can be to read through the fine print of a warranty.
We feel that everyone deserves straightforward explanations regarding warranties, so that’s what we’re here to do right now.
This article breaks down exactly what our TripleGuard Warranty and manufacturer-backed options cover (and don’t), how they compare to what other Seattle roofers offer, and how to know which one applies when you need it.
How does Seattle’s climate affect your roofing warranty?
The Seattle area is known for being rainy, humid, and wet all year long. This means that your roof is susceptible to all kinds of problems like:
- Leaks and water damage
- Mold
- Rotting wood
Leaks and water damage are caused by poor workmanship and can lead to mold and rotting wood. These are expensive issues to fix. So, to best protect your Seattle roof, look for a roofer who can help you get premium warranty coverage.
You also need to understand exactly what your warranty does and does not cover so that there are no costly surprises down the road (we’ll cover this later in the article).
What kinds of roofing warranties do I get with RoofSmart?
At RoofSmart, we offer two different kinds of warranties. One is our own company warranty that covers our workmanship and the other is a warranty from a manufacturer that covers material defects.
It is typical in the industry for companies to offer both types of warranties. The difference here is that we at RoofSmart can offer you stronger coverage than many other companies under the warranties we offer you.
No matter which contractor you choose, we recommend that you find a contractor who offers good coverage and does a good job installing your roof in the first place. The last thing you want after paying for a new roof is having to pay out of pocket for expensive leak damage from Seattle rain that could’ve been easily prevented.
What is covered under RoofSmart’s workmanship warranty?
We offer our TripleGuard Warranty that guarantees we will come back and fix any issues caused by our workmanship. Of course, we are committed to making sure that we do everything right on your roof the first time. This warranty just provides you with an added layer of assurance.
The bottom line is this: if your roof issue is happening because of us, we’ll come out and fix it. And the best part? This all happens at no additional cost to you!
We are diligent about installing high-quality roofs and going above and beyond to provide you with the best value for your money. Our TripleGuard Warranty is one of many elements that contribute to the ways that we establish ourselves as competent, trustworthy roofers.
With most other companies, a crew will be sent out to fix the roof, but only the cost of the materials is covered under the warranty. At RoofSmart, we do things differently. We believe you shouldn’t have to pay twice for something that’s out of your control.
So, under our TripleGuard Warranty, the cost of materials AND labor is included, meaning that you aren’t charged anything extra for any covered installation issues.
In fact, we can show you right here what the warranty looks like. Go ahead and see for yourself what we’ll offer you:
What will a manufacturer’s warranty actually pay for?
The manufacturer’s warranty differs based on the roofing company you are working with and, of course, the manufacturer itself.
But typically, these warranties provide coverage for defective materials. This covers instances when something went wrong while the shingles were being made, and the defective shingles cause issues on your roof.
For example, if an asphalt shingle starts losing a lot of granules after only two years, that is likely a manufacturer defect and would be covered under the warranty.
A standard shingle manufacturer’s warranty has an initial period that is non-prorated, which is typically about ten years. After that, it’s prorated, and you will have to pay for anything that needs to be fixed.
The standard warranty covers the cost of getting new shingles and sometimes also includes the cost of labor to take off the old ones and put new ones on.
This is important to note as a Seattle area homeowner because the high cost of living here means that labor costs are also high. In other words, even if the manufacturer covers the cost of new materials, you might still have to pay for labor costs on your own.
What is not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty?
However, the standard warranty does not cover the replacement of things like:
- Underlayment (the protective covering that goes under shingles to prevent leaking)
- Flashing
- Pipe boots
So, any other piece of the roof that might need to be replaced would not be covered. This type of thing falls under a workmanship warranty. Depending on what kind of coverage your roofer offers, they might cover the repairs if they’re responsible for installing these parts incorrectly.
Flashing and pipe boots are two areas that are susceptible to leaks if they’re installed incorrectly. So, in a rainy area like Seattle, it’s important to make sure that you trust your roofer to install it correctly AND that they have a solid warranty to back up their workmanship.
How can I get the best coverage from my manufacturer’s warranty?
Since RoofSmart is a CertainTeed Select ShingleMaster, GAF Silver Pledge Certified Contractor, and an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, we can offer you a Platinum Warranty with Owens Corning. This is the absolute highest level of guarantee in asphalt composition shingles!
This means that you would receive 100% covered, continuously non-prorated work for manufacturer defects and the labor that comes with it at no charge to you for the lifetime of that shingle. This also includes the replacement of other parts of the roof (like pipe boots, flashing, and more).
With the Platinum Warranty through Owens Corning, you would even get the same workmanship coverage that we offer with our TripleGuard Warranty if, for whatever reason, we were no longer around when you needed to call in the warranty.
When working with us, you also have access to the highest level warranties of companies like CertainTeed and GAF, which have similar coverage from to the Owens Corning Platinum Warranty.
To get access to this premium warranty coverage, you have to work with a contractor who is certified by the manufacturer (like us!). Not every contractor in the Seattle area is certified.
What does a “lifetime” warranty mean for a roof?
In short, this refers to the life expectancy of a shingle based on the conditions in which it is installed. Shingles are not going to perform the same in different conditions.
A shingle might hold up in a mild, dry climate for 25-30 years. But, for example, if you’re in a rainy area like Seattle and you have a low-slope roof that causes water to pool up and sit on the shingles, then your roof will only last about 12 years. Your mileage will vary, so to speak.
Manufacturers must take into consideration the climate and conditions that you live in and the steepness of your roof to properly assess the lifetime of your shingles. They will clearly state what the life expectancy is in your warranty as it relates to manufacturing defects.
It is expected that the roof will sustain some wear and tear throughout its life. Repair or replacement after normal wear and tear is not covered.
How can I accidentally void my roof’s warranty?
When assessing a roof warranty, it’s also important to understand issues or types of damage that it does not cover. Here are some examples of common problems that aren’t covered under your warranty:
- Acts of nature: If there is a windstorm that rips shingles off your roof or a tree branch falls through the roof, this is not something that we cover. We can certainly fix the problem, but for financial coverage in this scenario, you’d want to reach out to your insurance company.
- A third party works on your roof: For example, if you decide to get solar panels, they will need to drill into your roof, which could cause leaks. We do not include coverage for damage caused by others. We do help, but not for free.
- Lack of maintenance: It is the responsibility of the homeowner to perform regular maintenance on the roof. But maintenance does not have to be intense or super time-consuming. Just make sure that your roof is regularly cleared of debris (a common culprit in the Seattle area is pine needles) and that if you see moss growing on your roof, get it treated right away. In the Seattle area, moss is VERY common, so make sure you’re checking for it.
- Damaging your roof: Be careful of doing things that might damage your roof. This might seem super obvious, but it is possible for you to damage your roof while trying to maintain it. For example, do not pressure wash your roof. This will cause damage to the shingles and will lower the lifetime of your shingles.
How do I use my roofing warranty?
If you have problems with your roof at any point, we encourage you to give us a call. We will come out to assess the issues you’re noticing and determine which warranty it might fall under (ours or the manufacturer’s).
We will send copies of the warranty for your roof to you and the shingle manufacturer at the end of your roof repair or replacement so that everyone will be on the same page. This makes it very easy for all parties in the event that the warranty needs to be used.
How can I get access to the RoofSmart TripleGuard Warranty?
Now you know exactly what RoofSmart’s warranties do (and don’t) cover. You’ve seen our TripleGuard Warranty firsthand, and you even know what is covered by your manufacturer’s warranty.
If you’re a Seattle homeowner, you know how fast moss and moisture can damage a roof—and how frustrating it is to find out you’re not covered.
At RoofSmart, we’ve helped thousands of Seattle-area homeowners avoid warranty headaches before they start. Want us to walk your roof and explain what’s covered? Book a free inspection.
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