As we discussed in our last blog post, many homeowners aren’t aware that their roofer can potentially void the manufacturer’s shingle warranty if they fail to follow installation specifications.

This is the second article in a two-part series on helping you protect the manufacturer’s warranty on your shingles. Today, we’re reviewing some questions you should be asking your roofer before you sign any contracts.

Manufacturer’s specifications

Shingle manufacturers require their shingles to be installed according to their performance specifications. Each manufacturer provides slightly different specifications, but all are the same in this regard: if the shingle isn’t installed according to specifications, it voids the warranty.

Some of the main things manufacturers require are the number of nails per shingle, the placement of each nail on the shingle, and ventilation. If your roofer fails to follow these specs, say goodbye to the financial protection of the warranty.

Screen your roofer

The scary thing is that many roofers do not install shingles according to the specifications, which could be from ignorance or negligence. Some who are new to the roofing industry may not even be aware of the importance of nail placement and ventilation. Others may be taking shortcuts to save time and budget.

Here are some questions to ask your roofer about their installation process.

• Have you been certified by the manufacturer of the shingles you’ll be installing on my roof?
• What other industry certifications do you have?
• Before I sign a contract, please review with me: (1) What are the manufacturer’s specifications for the ventilation, number of nails per shingle, and placement of the nails? (2) How do you enforce and check on your crews’ adherence to these specifications? (3) What quality control measures do you take?
• Do you register the warranty information with the manufacturer for us, or do we have to do it ourselves?
• Is the cost of the warranty covered by you, or do you build into the bill?

Covering all the bases

Proper installation preserves the integrity of the manufacturer’s warranty for you. This is critical, because if the roof is damaged due to a manufacturer’s defect in the shingles, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it. And if your roofer has done anything that nullifies the manufacturer’s warranty, then you’re on the hook to pay for the repair.

If you’d like to talk to us about how we install all shingles to meet the manufacturer’s standards and register the warranty on your behalf—without passing the cost of the warranty on to you—give us a call at 405-359-3951. We’d also be happy to inspect your roof for free and look for potential problem areas.