Protecting Your Investment

Why Roof Warranties Matter (and What McLeran Offers)

Your home’s roof is more than just shingles and gutters; it’s a critical investment, protecting everything underneath it. And like any major investment, it comes with a warranty designed to offer peace of mind. But do you truly understand what you roof warranty covers? Or, more importantly, what could accidentally void it?

As we head into August, with summer’s heat potentially stressing your roofing materials and fall’s rain on the horizon, now is the perfect time for San Rafael homeowners to understand the power of their roof warranty and how a trusted contractor like Mcleran Roofing and Gutters helps ensure it stays valid.

The Two Pillars of Your Roof’s Protection: Manufacturer vs. Workmanship Warranties When you get a new roof, you typically benefit from two main types of warranties:

The Manufacturer’s Warranty (Material Defect):

What it covers: This warranty, provided by the company that made your roofing materials (e.g., the shingles, tiles or CAP sheet) protects again defects in the product itself. Think of it as a guarantee that the materials were made correctly.

Typical duration: This can vary widely, from 25-year limited warranties for standard asphalt shingles to 50 years or even “lifetime” for premium materials.

Important Note: Be wary of the term “lifetime”. Often, this means the life of the product as defined by the manufacturer, which might have a non-prorated period (full coverage) for an initial number of uears (e.g., 10-20 years) before the coverage amount decreases (prorated). It usually covers the cost of replacement materials, but not necessarily the labor to install them.

The Contractor’s (Workmanship) Warranty:

What it covers: This warranty comes directly from your roofing contractor and guarantees the quality of their installation work. If your roof leaks or fails due to an installation error (e.g., improper nailing, faulty flashing, or incorrect sealing), this warranty should cover the repair.

Typical Duration: Workmanship warranty periods can vary greatly. Established and trustworthy companies, such as McLeran Roofing & Gutters typically provide a 5-year workmanship warranty, underscoring their dedication to superior craftsmanship. It is important to note that workmanship-related issues are most likely to become apparent following a limited number of weather cycles, rather than after several decades.

The Critical Role of Licensed and Bonded Contractors – This is where the rubber meets the road. To ensure your warranties are worth the paper they’re written on, always choose a license and bonded roofing contractor.

Licensed: A license means the contractor has met state and local requirements, demonstrating they have the necessary knowledge, experience, and adherence to building codes. In California, roofing contractors are required to be licensed. McLeran Roofing & Gutters proudly holds contractor License: 474230. This ensures we are fully qualified and operating legally.

Bonded: Being bonded provides and extra layer of financial protection for you, the homeowner. A bond is a type of guarantee that if the contractor fails to complete the job as per the contract, or violates contract terms, you have a financial recourse. This helps protect your investment in case something goes wrong.

Able to Offer Warranties: Only a reputable, established, and often certified contractor will be able to offer meaningful workmanship warranties and, critically, ensure your roof installation qualifies for the best manufacturer warranties. Many manufacturers will only offer. their extended or “system” warranties if the roof is installed by a contractor certified in their specific products.

Don’t Accidentally Void Your Warranty: Common Pitfalls to Avoid – Even with the best warranties in hand, certain actions can unfortunately void your coverage:

Improper Installation: This is the most common culprit. If your roof isn’t installed according to the manufacturer’s strict specifications, both manufacturer and workmanship warranties can be invalidated. This underscores why hiring a licensed, certified professional is paramount.

Lack of Maintenance: Neglecting regular inspections, cleaning gutters, and addressing minor issues can be grounds for a denied claim.

Unauthorized Modifications: Adding new features like skylights, solar panels or even satellite dishes without following specific guidelines or using certified professionals can compromise your roof’s integrity and void warranties.

Pressure Washing: While it might seem like a good cleaning method, high-pressure washing can strip protective granules from shingles, causing premature wear and voiding warranties.

DIY Repairs: Attempting significant roof repairs yourself can not only be dangerous but also void your warranty, as manufacturers and contractors can’t guarantee work not performed by qualified professionals.

Poor Ventilation: Inadequate attic ventilation can lead to excessive heat and moisture buildup, damaging shingles from below and potentially voiding manufacturer warranties.

How McLeran Roofing and Gutters Safeguards Your Investment – At McLeran Roofing and Gutters, we understand that a roof is a long-term investment. That’s why we prioritize practices that ensure your roof’s longevity and warranty validity:

Licensed & Insured: We are fully licensed (License: 474230) and insured, providing you with peace of mind and protection throughout the project.

Certified & Experienced Installers: Our team is trained and certified in the latest installation techniques. We adhere strictly to manufacturer specifications.

Quality Materials: We use high-quality materials from trusted brands.

Thorough Documentation: We provide all necessary paperwork and documentation for the work performed, vital for any future warranty claims.

Your Roof Warranty Checklist: What to Keep & What to Know

Keep all documents: Store your original contract, all warranty certificates (manufacturer and contractor), and receipts for any maintenance or repairs.

Understand the fine print: Know what’s covered, what’s excluded, whether it’s prorated, and if it’s transferable (important if you sell your home).

Schedule regular professional inspections: This is key to fulfilling maintenance requirements and catching small issues before they escalate.

Don’t delay repairs: Address any minor damage promptly to prevent it from becoming a warranty-voiding problem.

Always hire licensed and reputable pros: For any roof work, trust companies like McLeran that have the credentials and stand behind their work.

Don’t leave your roof’s longevity to chance or misunderstanding. McLeran Roofing and Gutters is here to provide Marin County homeowners with dependable installation, expert maintenance, and clear guidance on how to maximize and safeguard your roof’s warranty. Contact us today for a professional assessment and ensure your investment is truly protected.