Most, if not all, manufacturers provide some level of warranty for their products. The details, however, could get lost in a maze of fine print, legal terms, and complicated wording.
Knowing what your warranty covers is important: it could save you thousands of dollars should problems arise with your roof. It also gives you the peace of mind that your rights as a customer are being protected while still within the warranty period.
Manufacturer Warranty
This is the commonly-known warranty for any product. In terms of roofing in Tampa, FL, it means the manufacturer of the material (shingles, steel, accessories) guarantees that their products are free of manufacturing defects. Coverage varies per brand, but most architectural shingles will carry a “lifetime” warranty. Some product lines carry up to 30 years in limited warranty coverage.
It should not be noted that in the roofing industry, “lifetime” means the ownership lifetime, i.e. as long as the original owner owns the property, they are covered by the warranty. Some manufacturers will extend the coverage to the first subsequent owner as long as the former is informed of the transfer.
Workmanship Warranty
This, on the other hand, covers the workmanship involved in the roof installation, sometimes including roof maintenance in Brandon, Florida. A study conducted by roofing manufacturer GAF® indicates that more than two-thirds of the problems experienced by customers are due to the contractor’s workmanship and not the roofing materials. This is an important aspect to keep in mind when deciding what warranty coverage to take.
Many roofers provide their own warranty against workmanship errors. A few manufacturers offer warranties that cover both: GAF, for instance, has its own Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty which is available only through GAF Master Elite™ roofers such as American Roofing & Sheet Metal.
Express Vs. Implied Warranty
Express warranties are issued by either the manufacturer or the contractor, and are usually part of the agreement with the customer. The extent of the manufacturer’s/contractor’s coverage, liability and obligations are put down in writing, but make sure you see it in print from roofers in Clearwater, FL or anywhere in Tampa Bay.
Implied warranties, on the other hand, refer to warranties that are generally understood without being directly spelled out. They cover a material’s performance as reasonably expected from them.
For example, a roof membrane is expected to prevent water from passing through it, as it is supposed to do, and will continue to do so unless acted upon by external forces such as fire, explosion and extreme wind. It is generally understood that roof membranes are not designed to withstand such forces.
No matter what warranty you opt to sign up for, your best protection is a properly designed and installed roof to begin with. American Roofing & Sheet Metal offers quality installation and repair services for any home’s roofing. Give us a call at (813) 217-5650 and let’s talk about your home improvement project.