Professional Building Services by PMC, LLC  Newsletter
November 2015

Having inspected too many older roofs this month by incredibly UNqualified roofers, I thought this was a great article to share. Roofs installed as recently as a few years ago, failing due to just about all the reasons detailed in this article leaving the homeowner with a bad situation requiring a total strip and redo.

 

Please read the article below and contact us if you have any questions.

 

Pete Ciaraldi

Professional Building Services
NH: 603-898-2977
MA: 781-995-2335

www.professionalbuildingservices.com

 

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6 Ways to Void Your Roof Warranty

An attic fan on the roof helps air circulation and ventilation, which is a critical component of a quality roofing system.
(Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Marilyn N. of Philadelphia)
INNER BLOCKS

Ensure your roof is installed properly and avoid doing anything to inadvertently nullify your warranty.
Every roofing manufacturer is a little different when it comes to warranties. Some warranties are prorated, while others aren't. Some cover labor and materials, while others only cover materials. Certain warranties are transferrable, while others only cover the current homeowner and, of course, the length of the warranty varies. 
Just like the terms mentioned above, each roofing supply manufacturer has different criteria when it comes to what voids a warranty and what doesn't, so it's important to understand what your roof warranty covers and what actions you can take to not void it. Below, I've outlined six of the more common reasons a roofing warranty claim may be rejected.

1. Improper roof ventilation
A roofing ventilation system works by pulling in air from intake vents that are placed on the lower part of the roof. The outside air that's taken in disperses through higher parts of the roof. Inadequate venting causes moisture and heat to get trapped in your attic. 
Additional heat on the bottom side of shingles can cause them to wear prematurely and fade. It's important to have proper ventilation, which regulates the intake and outtake of air in your attic and keeps your shingles at an ideal temperature. 

2. Incorrect roof installation
Roofing manufacturers have strict regulations regarding how their roofs are installed. This can include things like the number of nails per shingle, length of the nail and more. Because of this, it's strongly recommended that homeowners work with a contractor familiar with the type of roof they are installing. 

3. Hot roofs
A hot roof is a roof that lacks ventilation because the roof sheathing is coated with spray foam insulation. This can cause the shingle temperature to rise, resulting in faded color and a shorter lifespan for the shingles. 
Before moving forward with a hot roof, check with the roofing manufacturer to make sure that doing so will not void your roofing warranty. Also be sure to check with your city to see if they have restrictions on hot roofing before proceeding with your project. 

4. Antennas and satellite dishes on the roof
It's important to understand that satellite dishes and antennas can affect your roofing warranty. While the fine print varies between manufacturers, oftentimes you'll find that a satellite dish or antennae will not completely void the roofing warranty, but it may void the portion that covers leaking since drilling holes into a roof makes it more susceptible to leaks. 
Don't hire a satellite dish provider without doing some research first. (Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Garth N. of Vancouver, Washington)


5. Roof cleaning by pressure washing
Moss on a roof can damage it over time because it can trap moisture against the roof's surface. This can cause premature wear on the roofing because it can lead to increased frost damage, which causes cracking to shingle granules. 
To eradicate moss, some homeowners choose to pressure wash their roof. Doing this at a high setting can void the roof warranty because shingles are not designed to withstand the effects of close-range pressure washing and the roofing granules can start to deteriorate or separate from asphalt shingles. 
Should you find yourself in a situation where moss is growing on your roof, roofers often recommend you use metallic zinc strips near your roof's peak. This method works because rain water will run off the zinc strips and kill the moss.

6. Installing new roofing over the old roof
Installing a new roof on top of your old roof will void or shorten your warranty in most cases. There are a couple reasons for this. A second layer of shingles will expend heat more slowly, which will shorten the shingle lifespan. It can also cause the new shingles to stick to the old shingles, causing bulges. This can cause the roof to wear unevenly.
Overall, it's important to hire an experienced roofer who knows how to install an attractive roof that will hopefully last beyond the warranty.

Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally published on Aug. 13, 2013.
Andy Lindusis the chief operating officer of Lindus Construction/Midwest LeafGuard in the Twin Cities area. He's a regular contributor to the Experts Contributor Program.
 

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Professional Building Services by PMC
Serving MA, NH & ME
MA: 781-995-2335
NH: 603-898-2977