You just got a new roof and your contractor handed you a warranty. Great. But do you know what it actually covers? Most Florida homeowners don’t — and the fine print matters more than you think.
Here’s a plain-English guide to roof warranties, what’s covered, what’s not, and how to avoid losing your warranty coverage.
The Two Types of Roof Warranties
1. Manufacturer Warranty (Material Warranty)
This covers defects in the roofing materials themselves — shingles, TPO membrane, metal panels, tiles, etc.
What it typically covers:
- Manufacturing defects (premature cracking, splitting, curling)
- Premature granule loss (shingles)
- Algae resistance failure
- Color fading beyond normal weathering
What it does NOT cover:
- Wind damage (that’s your insurance)
- Improper installation
- Normal wear and tear
- Acts of God (hurricanes, tornadoes)
- Damage from foot traffic
- Modifications to the roof after installation
Duration: 20-50 years depending on product tier
The catch: Most manufacturer warranties are prorated — meaning coverage decreases over time. A “50-year warranty” might only cover 10% of material cost in year 40. Look for NDL (No Dollar Limit) warranties for the best protection.
2. Workmanship Warranty (Contractor Warranty)
This covers the installation itself — mistakes made by the roofing crew.
What it typically covers:
- Leaks caused by installation errors
- Improper flashing installation
- Seam failures (TPO/EPDM)
- Nail placement issues
- Ventilation deficiencies caused by improper install
What it does NOT cover:
- Material defects (manufacturer’s responsibility)
- Storm damage
- Issues caused by other contractors working on the roof
- Damage from homeowner modifications
Duration: Typically 2-10 years (varies widely by contractor)
The catch: If your contractor goes out of business, this warranty is worthless. Choose a contractor with a track record and financial stability.
NDL Warranties — The Gold Standard
NDL stands for No Dollar Limit. This is the best type of manufacturer warranty because:
- The manufacturer covers 100% of material AND labor costs for the warranty period
- No depreciation or proration
- If the roof fails due to a material defect in year 15 of a 20-year NDL, the manufacturer pays for a complete re-roof
How to get an NDL warranty:
- Your contractor must be a certified installer for the manufacturer
- The roofing system must be installed to the manufacturer’s exact specifications
- A manufacturer’s representative must inspect the completed installation
- Typically only available for commercial and high-end residential systems
At Corvex Roofing, we’re certified installers for GAF, CertainTeed, and Carlisle — all of which offer NDL warranty programs.
How to Void Your Roof Warranty (Avoid These Mistakes)
1. Improper Ventilation
This is the #1 warranty claim denial reason. If your attic doesn’t have adequate ventilation, excessive heat buildup accelerates shingle aging — and manufacturers will blame the installer (or homeowner) rather than the product.
Florida-specific: Our attics regularly exceed 150°F in summer. Proper ridge vent + soffit vent airflow is critical.
2. Pressure Washing Your Roof
Never pressure wash a shingled roof. It strips protective granules and immediately voids most shingle warranties. Use a low-pressure chemical treatment (soft wash) instead.
3. Satellite Dish / Solar Panel Installation
Having another contractor drill into your roof can void your workmanship warranty. Always check with your roofing contractor first, and use a certified installer who understands roof penetration requirements.
4. Walking on Tile Roofs
Concrete and clay tile roofs are strong — until someone walks on them wrong. Cracked tiles from foot traffic are not covered under warranty. Tell your HVAC and pest control contractors to use walk pads.
5. Not Maintaining Your Roof
Most warranties include a maintenance requirement. If you never clean your gutters, trim trees, or inspect for damage, the manufacturer can deny claims based on negligence.
Registering Your Warranty
Don’t skip this step. Many homeowners assume their warranty is automatically active. It’s not.
Most manufacturers require you to register your warranty within 30-60 days of installation. Your contractor should do this for you — but verify.
How to check:
- GAF: gaf.com/en-us/warranty
- CertainTeed: certainteed.com/warranty
- Carlisle: carlislesyntec.com/warranty
- Owens Corning: owenscorning.com/warranty
What to Do When You Have a Warranty Claim
1. Document the problem — photos, videos, description of the issue
2. Contact your contractor first — they can determine if it’s a workmanship or material issue
3. Don’t make repairs yourself — unauthorized repairs can void the warranty
4. File the claim in writing — email creates a paper trail
5. Be patient but persistent — manufacturer claims take 2-6 weeks
Corvex Roofing’s Warranty
We offer:
- Workmanship warranty: Minimum 2 years on all projects, 5 years on full replacements
- Manufacturer warranty: We install to manufacturer specs to qualify for the best available warranty
- NDL options: Available on qualifying commercial and residential systems
- We’ll be here: Corvex Roofing has been serving Brevard County since 2008 — we stand behind our work
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Questions about your roof warranty? Call Corvex Roofing at (321) 676-2201 or schedule a free inspection.