Should you get a warranty, a roof maintenance plan, or both? Before we answer the question, we should take a closer look as to what both of these terms mean. That way, everything will become clearer.
A Warranty Versus a Roof Maintenance Plan
A warranty guarantees at least one inspection per year and is issued by the roof manufacturer. It comes with the roof and is beneficial to both the homeowner and manufacturer. These inspections can catch problems before they become too expensive to deal with.
A roof maintenance plan, on the other hand, includes more services. Depending on the plan, it can cover inspections, repairs, and more. Overall, you should have a maintenance plan to help save money in the long run.
The Different Types of Warranties
Depending on your roof’s manufacturer, the warranty you can get with your roof varies. A basic free warranty is fairly decent, but most manufacturers offer better plans in exchange for a higher price. There are two main types of warranties.
The manufacturer’s warranty often covers your roof’s shingles for 25 to 30 years, sometimes more. The problem is that basic plans do not generally cover the workmanship, so you’d have to pay more for full replacement coverage or some workmanship costs.
Another type of warranty is the contractor’s warranty. These can vary wildly, so it’s important to get a hard copy for reference and proof. They cover workmanship to an extent and sometimes the materials.
As a rule, it’s better to stay with both your original manufacturer and contractor, as you can keep your warranties intact and contractors can correct mistakes made. You should also read the fine print in the agreements to know what repairs are covered or not. If you accidentally void a warranty, you’ll end up spending more than your budget allows for.
The Types of Roof Maintenance Plans
Like warranties, roof maintenance plans come in different “tiers”. This includes basic, mid-level, and premium, though it depends on the manufacturer or contractor. Ask your provider what each plan includes.
Basic plans include inspections, minor repairs, cleaning gutters, and often quick responses for non-emergency repairs. These are great for those who can’t afford better plans but want some form of coverage.
A mid-level plan offers more benefits than a basic plan by covering more repairs and including a more thorough inspection. There are mid-level plans that might offer faster responses. Plans like this a good middle ground for homeowners and help maintain the roof in warranty-covered shape.
Premium plans are the best ones you can get, providing much more coverage and even emergency repairs quickly. For those living in leak-sensitive locations or disaster-prone areas, this is the best option. You’ll have to pay more, but it can turn out better in the long run.
You have the option of upgrading your roof maintenance plan if you can afford it, and depending on your area and needs, it might be a good idea. Extra coverage helps save time and money and you can keep your roof in great shape often. This works best for areas where roofs are particularly prone to wear and tear.
If I Have a Warranty, Then Why Do I Need a Roof Maintenance Plan?
Your roof can be covered with a warranty for basic inspections, but did you know that adding a roof maintenance plan to the mix offers more security? That’s right — you should get both, and it’s not a complete waste of money. You’ll find yourself saving a lot more compared to only having a warranty.
If you only subject your roof to the warranty’s guaranteed basic roof inspection, you can still catch problems, but a warranty doesn’t always cover intensive repairs. That only comes with a premium package. You’ll have to pay more if you want full coverage.
With the help of a roof maintenance plan, you can expect more than just an inspection and light maintenance. A good plan will allow contractors to clean your gutters, replace missing shingles, and perform some minor fixes. This is often scheduled regularly, around twice a year.
By combining a warranty and maintenance plan, you get to enjoy extra security and peace of mind when it comes to your roof. The warranty already promises an inspection, and a maintenance plan keeps your roof within the conditions of the warranty. If your warranty doesn’t cover leaks, then the maintenance plan can detect potential leaks and plug them up.
This is but one of many ways a warranty and maintenance plan can benefit you if you have both. It’s relationship that benefits everyone. You get to prevent serious damage and the maintenance company has good business.
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance
Unfortunately, a majority of roofing companies and contractors can struggle to respond to repair requests due to long wait lines. This can even reach up to months before someone is free to pay a visit and provide repairs. Because of this, knowing some preventative maintenance can go a long way.
Preventative maintenance can be very simple. Sometimes all you have to do is look and listen, and you don’t always have to carve time out for it. Even just staying at home is good enough to check for problems.
Even going in and out of your building and observing for damage is good for detecting damage. Missing shingles are easy to see. You can also tell if your gutters are clogged by checking
If you hear something strange in the roof, you can check the attic or space inside. Often that is a sign of damage to the waterproofing and flashing.
Keep a log of any issues you encounter. The log can help your contractor save time and work on the issues sooner than later.
Personal Security
The question of “if a warranty, why do I need a roof maintenance plan” boils down to security. Having both from a trusted and certified company like us can keep your roof in good condition. This way, you can take advantage of the warranty and reduce costs for years.