What Voids a Roof Warranty?

Are you worried that modifications to your roof may void your warranty? Or did you just find out that your roof warranty was voided?

Unfortunately, it is true – a roof warranty can be voided. Roof coverage can be revoked for a number of reasons, the most common being the completion of unauthorized work or improper ventilation. But, what does that mean, exactly? Isn’t a warranty meant to be in place for protection? 

The truth is, there are actions that will void your warranty, others that might, and plenty that won't, despite common misconceptions. And we’ll cover all of these actions in this article so you can see if your roof’s warranty was voided for a legitimate reason.

If you’ve read some of my other articles on the Learning Center, you may notice that I emphasize the importance of hiring a roofing contractor that is certified with their shingle manufacturer. This is because both workmanship and material warranties are included. So in the event that there was an issue, they would cover any possible workmanship-related problems and defective materials. Because Linta Roofing is a Master Elite contractor, our workmanship will never be the reason your warranty is voided. Although that is not always the case.

What Voids a Roof Warranty?

While every warranty is different, there are two things that would void nearly any roof warranty: unauthorized work and improper ventilation. The reason these things can void a warranty is because it is not the fault of your roofer if these occur. While a roofer can tell you that these things will void your warranty, they may not mention it. But even if they don’t, it’s important to know the details about each.

• Unauthorized Work: If you have a warranty with your roofer but you hire someone else to do additional work on your roof, then it’s likely your original roofer will no longer warranty the work they did for you. This is because they cannot account for the quality of the work completed by someone else outside of their company. If that person’s work causes an issue in the future, your original roofer would not cover the cost of repairing those issues.
  
  
• Improper Ventilation: Attic ventilation is crucial to the longevity of your roof. If your attic is not properly ventilated, the roof will not last its expected lifespan. Whether you have ridge vents or off-ridge vents, it’s essential that you also have a soffit vent. Without a soffit vent, roof vents will not be able to function properly. However, if you have a soffit vent, it’s common for painters to spray over it, possibly clogging the holes that allow ventilation to occur. Most roofers do not install soffit vents, but they can advise you if work is needed on your soffit vent to maintain an appropriate roof life. 

Different warranties may outline other specific issues that could void your warranty, but in general are the two most common. Most often, these things will be sure to end your warranty before its time. However, what about things that may or may not void your roof warranty? What are those things? And how can I find out?

What Might Void Your Roof Warranty?

Because we are talking about warranties in general, these things may or may not be covered by your warranty. You will definitely want to check with your roofer in advance if you have not already had these modifications completed on your roof. It is important to note that if you have chosen a Silver Pledge or a Golden Pledge warranty through a Master Elite contractor with GAF, any workmanship errors mentioned here are not applicable to you. 

So, what might void your roof warranty?

• Improper Installation: Shingle manufacturers provide specific instructions on how to properly install their products. If your shingles were not installed properly, the shingle manufacturer may not stand behind the work completed on your roof. An improper installation can include inaccurate nailing, not enough nails, installing shingles on areas of your roof that need a different kind of roofing material, and others. This may not seem fair, as it is not your fault that the materials were applied incorrectly. That is why I always recommend homeowners hire a GAF Master Elite contractor, regardless of whether or not they choose Linta Roofing for their roofing project.
  
  
• Roofing Over Existing Roof Material: This practice is more common in colder climates because roofing materials are less likely to expand and contract due to temperature shifts. However, there are roofers who will install shingles over shingles or metal over shingles in an effort to make their price competitive. I don’t recommend having this done on your home. Most companies do not warranty this type of roofing project because it can be prone to issues and tends to decrease the lifespan of the roof by nearly half, especially by the coast. Not only that, but a roofing system needs the ability to “breathe”, adding layers of roofing material can cause serious damage to your roof decking and the interior of your home. This will most likely be listed in warranty paperwork, so make sure to check your warranty details before installing any material over the existing material on your roof. 
  
• Solar Panels: Depending on what type of shingles are installed on your roof, solar panels may void your warranty, especially with companies like GAF who offer solar shingles. My suggestion is to inquire about solar shingles rather than panels if you’re interested in solar powered energy.
  
  
• Gutter Guards: Most gutter guards won’t void your warranty, but there are some that will. Larger gutter guards that sit over the shingles on the perimeter of your home can cause significant damage to your roof. Because of this, it can be difficult to maintain a warranty on your roof. However, if you are interested in having gutter guards installed, we typically recommend companies like Raptor Gutter Guard because they do not sit on top of your shingles.

• Rain Diverters: Rain diverters are usually used above doorways, they offer the ability to slow down rainfall in isolated places on your roof. They tend to collect leaves and debris, making them more of a liability to your roof than necessary. I always recommend having gutters installed instead of rain diverters because they can actually cause quite a bit of damage to your roof. Not only that, but they may also void your warranty for this reason.

Be sure to check your warranty details before having any products installed on your roof. If you’re not sure whether one or more of these things have been installed/completed on your roof, it’s important to have an inspection so you can know if any of the things listed above could impact your warranty. 

You may be wondering why certain things are excluded from this list, but the reason is that there are plenty of things you can do on your roof that will not void your warranty, contrary to popular belief.

What Won’t Void Your Roof Warranty

While it seems like we’ve talked a lot about what will or might void your warranty, there are accessories you can add to your roof that won’t void your warranty. In fact, the accessories listed here are common additions to a roof! Let’s take a look at additions that will not void your warranty.

• Skylights: While poor skylight installation can cause problems with your roofing system, the presence of skylights on your roof will not void your warranty. However, if you have a roof replacement and you decide not to replace your skylight at that time, it is unlikely your roofer will include the pre existing skylight in with the warranty on your roof.
  
• Solar Tubes: Solar Tubes are similar to skylights in the way they allow natural sunlight into your home. They tend to be a bit smaller and their sole function is to allow light in, meaning you will not be able to see the sky inside your home through a solar tube. This addition is a great option for rooms where you’d like to bring in a bit more light and they will not void your warranty if you install a new solar tube when you replace your roof!

It is important to hire a skilled roofer if you are hoping to add these accessories to your home so that they can be properly installed to avoid leaks. But other than that skylights and solar tubes will not void your roof warranty. So, if you landed on this page because you were concerned about any of these 2 accessories, you can breathe a sigh of relief! & while it may seem difficult to find out what exactly voids your warranty there are easy ways to find out.

Keeping Your Roof Warranty Active 

Warranties tend to bring up a lot of questions for homeowners. But it is rare for a homeowner to pre-emptively ask about what could void their warranty. Usually a homeowner discovers this when they really need their warranty! And then there are a variety of questions about what it is that made their warranty null and void.

I hope this article has helped you understand a bit more about how roof warranties work. If you’ve read this and you’re not sure whether or not your warranty has been voided, make sure to have your roofer do an inspection. At Linta Roofing we offer free inspections where we can take a look at your roof and help you move forward. Not only that, but we’re happy to provide our expert opinion on how to bring back the integrity of your roofing system. 

So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We know that not every homeowner is aware of some of the nuances involved in the world of roof warranties. And because of that we’re always happy to help with friendly guidance for your next steps.