The gaf guarantee

PART 1: HOW THE GAF WARRANTY WORKS

A new roof is a major investment. Considering the cost of installing one, homeowners naturally expect to get years of use out of a new roof. That’s why understanding exactly what you’re getting from your warranty agreement is important. Being cognizant of the details of your warranty will help save you the money you might otherwise unnecessarily have spent out-of-pocket on repairs, and will also reduce the number of issues you’ll have to deal with on your own should any roof problems pop up unexpectedly.

TWO TYPES OF ROOF COVERAGE

The warranty on a new roof will typically provide coverage against one or both of the following: 1) manufacturing defects in the roofing materials themselves; and 2) problems arising from installation. To be more specific, the first type of warranty covers problems having to do with the roofing material itself, while the second covers problems caused during the installation of your new roof, by the people you hired to install the roof.

WARRANTIES AND MATERIAL DEFECTS

Most manufacturers provide warranties against defects in their roofing products, but the length and exact coverage of the warranty will depend on the brand – on which your mileage may vary. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the manufacturer’s warranty typically covers only the original owner of the new roof. In some cases, the first owner after the original may be covered, too, but only if the warranty allows for it, and only if the manufacturer is notified of the change in ownership.

PART 1: HOW THE GAF WARRANTY WORKS

Note, too, that the different components of your roof may each have a different warranty duration; your roofing shingles might be insured for the shingles’ lifetime, but that warranty won’t necessarily also cover the non-shingle components of your roof. It’s important to know just how long all the parts of your roof are covered.

COVERING THE CONTRACTOR’S WORKMANSHIP

Because GAF is confident about the quality of its roofing materials, it is also, under certain circumstances, willing to cover potential problems with the workmanship. GAF’s Golden Pledge® Warranty will cover the workmanship on your roof for up to 25 years, whether or not the original contractor is still in business. A Golden Pledge® Warranty, however, is only available through GAF Master Elite™ Contractors, who are factory-certified by GAF.

The actual specifics of the different GAF warranties will be covered in Part II.

PART 2: GAF WARRANTIES: FOUR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COVERAGE

GAF is North America’s largest roofing materials manufacturer, and offers more options for comprehensive warranty coverage than just about any other manufacturer. It’s not just a matter of picking and choosing through the different warranty options, however; to qualify for a particular type of warranty coverage, the roof system in question must have been installed by a certified GAF contractor with the proper certifications.

STANDARD LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY

This is the basic warranty offered by GAF. Unlike the other levels of warranty coverage, this warranty can be offered by anyone; in other words, as long as you buy GAF products, they will come with this level of warranty. The Standard Limited Product Warranty covers possible material defects in your roofing materials, with a maximum coverage period of 12 years, offers replacement of defective material on a prorated use basis, and is not transferable in the case of a change in ownership.

INTEGRATED SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY

The Integrated System Limited Warranty can only be offered by GAF Low-Slope Factory-Certified Contractors and has a maximum coverage period of 20 years. Covering only manufacturing defects in your roofing materials, this level of warranty protection includes full warranty replacement for any such defective material, and also covers the cost of labor to correct the problem. It is transferable to the next owner.

PART 2: GAF WARRANTIES: FOUR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COVERAGE

SYSTEM PLEDGE™ ROOF GUARANTEE

This level of warranty coverage is offered by GAF Certified Asphaltic Contractors, and covers both material defects and workmanship errors for up to 20 years. It includes full replacement for defective materials as well as the cost of labor, and is transferable should the property be sold.

DIAMOND PLEDGE™ NO DOLLAR LIMIT ROOF GUARANTEE

The Diamond Pledge™ warranty is GAF’s highest level of warranty coverage, and is only offered by GAF Master and Master Select™ Contractors. It provides full coverage, with an unlimited dollar amount, for both material defects and workmanship errors for up to 35 years. It is transferable in the case of a change of ownership, and under the WellRoof® Guarantee Extension program, the warranty’s coverage period can be extended by an additional 25% if the roof is maintained through the services of a GAF Certified Maintenance Professional.

Proper roof maintenance goes hand-in-hand with your warranty, as we’ll see in Part III.

PART 3: YOUR GAF WARRANTY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE

It’s important to know exactly what is and isn’t covered by your GAF warranty. While your roof system’s warranty is there to offer you peace of mind, it’s important to note that it doesn’t cover everything.

Normal wear and tear, for example, is not covered by your warranty, nor are the effects of severe weather conditions such as storms, heavy winds, and hail. The product warranty is not an insurance policy, and should not be treated as such.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED

It’s important to stress the importance of regular roof maintenance, especially as regards your GAF roof warranty. The warranty may be voided if you do not perform the necessary regular maintenance on your roof. Accidental damage, damage due to a lack of seasonal maintenance, and damage due to acts of vandalism all fall outside the scope of your roof’s warranty. Rather, these sorts of problems need to be addressed through due diligence, a proper insurance policy, and through regular, periodic roof inspections and maintenance.

THE GAF 10-POINT ROOF MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Here’s GAF’s recommendation for a good, working roof maintenance program:

1. Maintain records – keep a file of all records relating to the roof, including inspection reports, repair and maintenance bills, and the original construction drawings and specifications

2. Conduct routine inspections – at the minimum, the roof should be inspected twice yearly; once in the spring, and once in the fall

PART 3: YOUR GAF WARRANTY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE

3. Inspect after severe weather – at the minimum, the roof should be inspected twice yearly; once in the spring, and once in the fall

4. Repair correctly – all repairs should be done with GAF materials, and by a properly certified GAF roofing contractor

5. Keep roof clean and clear of debris – Keep roof clear of debris such as leaves, branches, dirt, and rocks, and keep drains and downspouts similarly clear

6. Keep metal in good condition – keep roof flashing rust-free and properly sealed

7. Keep masonry in good condition – masonry walls and coping should be examined for cracks, bad joining, sealant deterioration, and loose sections

8. Maintain rooftop equipment – this includes air conditioners, vents, screens, skylights, and satellite dishes or antennas

9. Maintain roof coating – cracked, flaking, blistered, and worn areas should be re-coated with a GAF-compatible coating

10. Minimize rooftop traffic – keep a roof access log and limit roof access to authorized personnel only

Hinkle Roofing

639 1st Court North Birmingham,AL 35203

205-324-8545

HinkleRoofing.com