Understanding Your Commercial Roof Warranty & What’s Covered
According to The Farmers’ Almanac, the winter weather forecast calls for “a season of rapid-fire storms that will bring both rain and snow, with little downtime in between.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had predicted an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season—and it’s not over yet. In addition to flooding, hurricanes and other major storms can cause a variety of damage to buildings including structural, equipment, and roof—resulting in significant emergency roof repair costs. And while you may think your commercial roof warranty will cover these costs, you may be wrong. It’s crucial you understand what commercial roof warranties you have and what they cover in case you have a roofing emergency.
Roof Warranty Overview
No matter what type of commercial building roof is on your facility, warranties can be complicated, and it’s important to understand your coverage. Typically, there are three parties that issue warranties for most commercial roofs:
- General Contractor: When a building is constructed, the general contractor usually provides a 2-year warranty after construction is complete.
- Roofing Company: When a new roof is installed, a roofer typically issues a 2-year sub-warranty on the building that covers the roof if anything goes wrong.
- Roofing Manufacturer: On average, most roofing manufacturers issue a 15-year warranty that guarantees the labor and materials during this period.
If anything goes wrong with your roof in the first two (2) years, you should call the general contractor or roofer to deal with the issues. However, for the next 13 years, the roofing manufacturer is responsible. And when it comes to manufacturer’s warranties, some may not be as comprehensive as you think.
Revisiting the hurricane scenario—assume a hurricane comes up the coast, goes inland, and wreaks havoc on your 10-year-old commercial roof, plus a large tree falls on top of your roof and punctures it. In addition to causing structural damage, the storm creates a significant roof leak, destroying machinery and inventory in the plant resulting in thousands of dollars of damage. Who is on the hook for repairs?
Since your commercial roof is 10 years old, the roofing company and general contractor’s warranties are no longer valid. It’s time to examine your roofing manufacturer’s warranty.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
A manufacturer’s warranty can run anywhere from 5 to 30 years, depending on the system installed and what was purchased. A manufacturer’s warranty generally does not include:
- Consequential damage, such as water coming through the roof and damaging anything inside your facility. This will be an issue for your insurance company.
- Outside damage not related to materials or workmanship from storms or downed trees. The tree that fell on your roof and punctured it will not be covered. You now need to see if this destruction is covered by your facility’s insurance policy.
- Be especially cautious when it comes to roof leaks. It’s important to stay within your warranty to resolve the problem. If your contractor uses the wrong materials or methods to repair your roof, your bill may not be covered by the warranty.
Commercial roofing manufacturers typically offer three (3) types of warranties: No Dollar Limit (NDL), Material Only, and Labor and Material:
- NDL: This is a full-system warranty that covers all labor and material costs for roof leak repair. NDL warranties are usually more expensive than material-only warranties because they offer more robust coverage.
- Material-Only: This warranty covers defects or premature aging of the manufacturer’s materials, but it doesn’t cover labor, accessories, or roof leaks. Material-only warranties are usually free or inexpensive, but they may result in higher costs over time due to their limited coverage.
- Labor & Material Warranty: As the name implies, this warranty covers defects in both labor and roofing materials. However, unlike the NDL warranty, this one has limited coverage and is also prorated based on a roof’s age, so the older the roof, the less the warranty covers.
Exclusions
Once you learn the type of manufacturer’s warranty you have, there are some exclusions to keep in mind which could invalidate it:
- Routine Maintenance and Neglect: Regular commercial roof assessments and routine maintenance are essential. These preventative steps are often mandatory warranty conditions. Failure to meet these requirements can result in the warranty being voided, leaving you without coverage when needed.
- Unauthorized Modifications: Modifications, installation of overburden, or repairs without approval can lead to exclusions. Always check with your roofing contractor or warranty provider before undertaking any significant work on your roof.
- Misuse or Excessive Roof Traffic: only use walkways and avoid using the roof in ways for which it was not designed, or you won’t be covered when something goes wrong.
- Trapped Moisture in Walls: An HVAC unit leaking into roof insulation, condensation collecting within the walls, mold traveling into the roof layers, and damage to a chimney or vent that allows water or animals to cause damage under a roof surface won’t be covered.
- Wear and Tear Over Time: Normal wear is often not covered, especially with older roofs. Budgeting for these replacement or repair costs is necessary as your roof nears the end of its warranty period.
Roof Care Service Plan
The number one way to invalidate your roof’s manufacturer warranty is not performing periodic upkeep and maintenance. This work can also extend the life of your roof from 25 to 50 percent of its projected lifespan. If you need help with a commercial roof inspection, contact Capital Roof Care (CRC).
CRC’s experienced roof technicians conduct 54-point visual inspections as part of a commercial roof maintenance program. Our experts assess and document the condition of your roof and provide recommendations on immediate and upcoming repair needs, and they will also set up a roof care service plan with you to ensure your roof functions more effectively and lasts as long as possible. In addition, they will do everything necessary to ensure your warranty remains valid. A CRC service plan includes:
- Organizing your roof warranty information
- Providing access to your roof maintenance information 24/7 via an online portal where you can log in to place orders and view your roof’s information
- Offering priority customer service with 24/7 service on repairs
- Keeping track of your roof maintenance requirements
- Assessing the conditions of your roof regularly
- Identifying your repair needs
- Documenting all roof maintenance assessments and repair activities
In most cases, spending money to maintain your commercial roof with a roof care service plan is necessary for protecting your investment and preserving your manufacturer’s warranty. The costs associated with maintaining a roof every few years will often be considerably less than having to repair an existing roof or build a new one.
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