"What warranty do I want?"

When selling a new roof to residential customers I’m often asked what type of roof warranty I would choose for myself. In return I ask the customer what their long term plans will be because that will give them the best answer. 

Many times we hear that a roof has a 25-30 year warranty.  Is this number for a limited warranty or a non-prorated warranty?  There is a big difference between two.  As a professional, I don’t even consider the limited warranty that is advertised on the shingle wrapper.  I only consider the non-prorated warranty.  Let’s say you have a shingle that has a 25 year limited warranty, with a 5 year non-prorated warranty, and in year 7 you discover there is a manufacturing defect.  More than likely, the manufacturer will not cover it because it falls out of the non-prorated period.  Sounds unfair but it is true.

I like to look at the limited warranty as creative marketing and a grade of product.  Tab shingles generally come with a standard 5 year non-prorated warranty, and dimensional or designer shingles generally come with a 10-15 year non-prorated warranty.  However, if you were to purchase an extended warranty, then you can lengthen the non-prorated period.  An extended warranty must be installed by a certified roofing company and include upgraded roofing accessories to qualify.

If I were planning to live in my home for the next 10+ years, I would purchase either a dimensional or designer shingle with an extended non-prorated warranty.  The reason for this is peace of mind.  Some of the extended non-prorated warranties can range from 30-50 years against manufacturing defects.  Basically, your roof might have a warranty for as long as you own the home.

If I plan on selling my home within the next 10 years, then my needs change.  I would install a dimensional or designer shingle (for resale purposes) without a extended warranty period and keep my price down as much as possible.

Most manufacturer’s warranties transfer one time within so many years.  It’s definitely worth reading the fine print and reviewing your options before buying! 

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2015 Angie's List Super Service Award

Elite Roofing was named an Angie's List Super Service Award winner for 2015!

Helping Realtors Say ‘Sold’!

1. The most important reason for choosing Elite Roofing to inspect your client’s home is because we are fast, accurate, and fair.
2. We guarantee a written report and estimate on roofing and gutters within two business days.
3. We guarantee our repairs for one year and replacements for five years.
4. The cost for our written report and estimate is $199.00. We will give your client a 10% discount on any roof repair, or waive the $199.00 fee on any roof replacement.

Why Ventilate?

Heat in unventilated attics may cause temperatures to exceed 150⁰F. This can cause damage to shingles, roof sheathing, and also radiate down into the living area. Trapped moisture is a home’s #1 enemy and can cause rot, mildew, mold, paint blister, and ineffective insulation.

It is estimated that over 50% of homes show visible signs of improper ventilation.

Proper ventilation reduces energy bills and winter ice build up, and eliminates mold and mildew, which can lead to major health problems. Ventilating the attic space extends the life of shingles, insulation, and other building components.

Elite Roofing offers a full line of products to properly ventilate your home. You might be surprised by what you like. Call today for a free estimate! 

PHOTOS: Look out for these roofing disasters

If you see any of these things on your roof, call for back-up!

 This valley could have benefited from ice & water shield.

This HVAC pipe has no collar where the boot and pipe meet together, so it continues to leak. This can't be fixed with more caulk.

While it's hard to see from the ground, it’s time to kiss the chimney goodbye.  

7 Warning Signs of a Failing Roof

Don’t get caught with sudden, costly repairs. Keep an eye on your roof and learn how to spot problems before they severely impact your wallet with these warning signs.

1. A Leak in the Attic: After a strong storm or wind driven rain, take a look in the attic for signs of leaking. Ice damming can also cause water to enter the house if you don’t have an adequate shingle underlayment or if the flashing has deteriorated.
2.  Blistering or Peeling Pain: When paint starts to peel off, the cause is likely trapped moisture in the house due to excessive temperatures or high humidity from poor attic ventilation. The air in the attic needs to flow from the front of the soffit to the ridge to reduce humidity. Make sure there is a vent in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, and dryers should vent outside.
3. Stains on Ceilings and Walls: If you see stains or, even worse, mold growth inside your home, it may be caused by inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment that is allowing water to seep into the house. Inadequate ventilation could also be the culprit.
4. Missing, Cracked, or Curled Shingles: If you see that your shingles are dry or practically break when touched, that means they have reached the end of their useful life and it’s time to invest in a new roof. 
5. Dark Areas on Your Roof: This could mean your roof has vegetation, fungus, mold or algae growth, or that the shingles protective granules have been lost. This doesn’t mean you need to replace your roof, but these stains can reduce curb appeal.
6. Sheathing and Shingle Decay: Older homes may experience sheathing decay. This can be easy to spot from the ground. Any areas of the roof that look like they are sagging are a sure sign of major structure problems. Homeowners can look in the attic, but it can be hard to locate the problem in certain structures.
7. Excessive Energy Costs: A possible cause of higher cooling costs could be insufficient attic ventilation, requiring the AC to run excessively. In warm weather, inadequate ventilation will trap hot air in the attic, causing air conditioning systems to work harder or leaving your home’s interior hotter and less comfortable. 

Introduction to Elite Roofing