Hiring a Roofing Contractor to Install a New Roof on your Home? Read this First.
Warranties are a good thing. A good Roofing Contractor is much better.
If you walk into Home Depot or Lowes you can find all of the major roofing manufacturers’ shingles and other roofing components on the shelves. Right there on the packaging, the shingles will tout a “Lifetime” or 50 year warranty. And indeed if those shingles are installed properly on your roof, then they will actually have a 50 year limited warranty on the shingles only. But if that new pretty roof prematurely fails and starts to leak water into your home, it most times will not be because your “Lifetime” shingles failed. It will be because your new roof was not designed and installed properly. That 50 year warranty will not cover the damage or repairs.
Beautiful New Shingles are only Skin Deep.
When even the most unskilled roofing installer puts new shingles on your roof, your house will look and feel beautiful and protected, at least for a while. Because with roofing, just like in many things in life, it’s what’s underneath that really matters. Today’s roofing manufacturers have designed beautiful and technologically advanced multi-part roof systems designed to last between 30 and 50 years, or as they say in the home improvement industry “a lifetime.” These “Lifetime Roofing Systems” have many components and installation practices which must be carefully followed by a skilled and certified-approved installer inorder for the system and warranty to protect your home as designed.
Build Your Roof on Rock, not Sand.
Just as a foolish person builds his house on sand, it’s amazing to see what some roofing installers think will pass as a proper foundation for those shingles they picked up at Home Depot. Actually, if you’re having a professional and reputable roofer install a new Lifetime Roofing System on your home, the materials will be delivered by a distributor supply house for the manufacture on a large flat bed truck at the start of your project, not in a contractor’s pick up truck. The components or parts of a new lifetime roofing system that go underneath the shingles are an essential part of protecting your home from the extremes in weather and temperature. This is not the place for cutting corners or negligently installing components of the roof system. A certified, factory trained and experienced installer will have the expertise to install those parts of the system according to the exact standards required by each manufacturer in order for it to honor any warranty.
Manufacturer’s Material Warranties Do Not Cover Labor
When a newly installed roof system fails, it’s usually not the fault of the manufacturer of the roof system you chose, but the contractor. Like with all home improvement projects, like siding, windows, doors, etc, having an excellent product is very important. But when these materials are installed on your home, if they fail, it is usually the improper installation that is the culprit. Those 50 year material warranties you can see on the box don’t cover labor. In fact, most of the time a homeowner files a claim with a manufacturer of any home improvement product, they find that the warranty does not cover it because the defect was in the installation, not their products.
A full System Warranty Protects your Roof systems, including Labor.
It’s the full system warranty that protects your project from possible roof system failure. A full warranty covers both labor and materials. If your contractor is a Master Elite, Preferred or Master, then the roofing contractor can offer you the best full system warranties in the roofing industry. These certified, factory trained roofers are vetted and factory trained by the manufacturer of the roofing products that is giving the warranty. The warranties are non-pro rated and cover your roof system for 25 to 30 years for labor and 50 years for material. The warranty is transferable if you should sell your home.
Warranties cover problems that occur to a roof system. Hiring a top certified and factory trained contractor is the best way to avoid any problems from occurring in the first place.
When roof systems fail they do so because of:
Poor Flashing.
Improperly installed or non-existent flashing or lack of leak barriers that should be carefully installed before any shingle goes near your roof. Flashing is the material used to seal joints and seams in your roof. If it is not installed properly, water can seep through the gaps, especially where the roof meets the walls or other parts of the house, like dormers and chimneys.
Improperly placed or secured shingles.
Damaged or missing shingles: If your roof has damaged or missing shingles, rainwater can seep through the gaps and infiltrate your roof.
Ice Dams.
In cold weather, ice can accumulate on your roof and create a dam that prevents water from draining properly. This can cause water to seep into your roof.
Clogged and damaged gutters
If your gutters are damaged or clogged with debris such as leaves, twigs, or dirt, water can back up and seep into your roof.
Poor Ventilation
Condensation: If your attic is poorly ventilated, moisture can build up and condense on the underside of your roof. This can eventually lead to water damage
It Matters Who You Trust to Install Your New Roof System
Today putting a new roof system on your home is a substantial and important investment. It’s a project you only want to do once, or at least not again for decades to come. It is important not to try to cut corners or save pennies at risk of losing pounds. Many of the deficiencies that cause roof failure stem from improper planning and installation of the components of the roof system. A reputable and top roofing contractor will ensure your roof project is properly planned and built to last, taking into account all the various considerations which will affect the success of the installation for years to come.
Peace of Mind in Hiring the Best Roofing Contractor Available
By offering the highest quality products coupled with expert and flawless installation a roofing contractor can bring peace of mind of a job done right, and substantial long term savings. Many times when choosing the design, materials and manufacturers for a new roof system, there are many options to choose from which best suit the specific needs, budget and conditions of your project. An experienced and reputable contractor who is certified by the best manufacturers can help select a system that is best tailored to your home’s needs.
Top Roofers in the Industry Use a Safety Plan for Every Project
One of the most important aspects of working with an experienced, trained and trusted roofer is safety. Each project presents with issues of safety which must be properly anticipated and planned out to the standard required by OSHA. Working with a great roofing professional who ensures a safety protocol for every project is the most important part of any roofing project. Roofing is a dangerous and hazardous activity, especially when proper precautions are not being taken by roofing installers. It is important to use extreme caution when entering on your roof for any reason. Professionals use safety gear and harnesses to ensure safety when working on your roof.
Learn More About County Roofing
County Roofing is the Long Island and New York City roofing company with over 35 years experience building long term relationships in our community. Making County Roofing a great choice when choosing a new roofing system. When you partner with County Roofing, you deal with an experienced team dedicated to providing you with the very best roofing products, design and installation. At County Roofing, we know that planning, design and superior workmanship are the most important part of any new roofing system. We take our responsibility very seriously and make sure we meet and exceed our customer’s expectations on every new roof system we build.
