Most modern roofs come with at least two warranties: a manufacturer (materials) warranty and a contractor (workmanship) warranty.
The challenge is knowing what you have, what’s covered, and for how long. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend starting with your installation paperwork and the shingle brand, then confirming registration and transfer status. All Seasons Roofing can perform a fast “warranty audit” to help you understand your coverage before you need it.
The Two Main Types of Roof Warranties
Understanding the difference helps you know who to call and what’s covered.
- Manufacturer (materials) warranty
- Covers defects in roofing products (shingles, underlayment, vents, etc.).
- Often advertised as “limited lifetime,” but may be prorated after a certain period.
- Optional upgrades (system warranties) can add non-prorated coverage, enhanced wind protection, or algae resistance—if the roof was installed to the manufacturer’s system specs.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend verifying whether your roof was “registered” with the manufacturer; upgrades usually require registration within 30–90 days of install.
- Contractor (workmanship) warranty
- Covers installation errors and labor to correct them.
- Typically ranges from 1–10 years, sometimes longer if your contractor is certified by the manufacturer.
- Only valid with the original installer—this is why choosing a reputable local company matters. All Seasons Roofing backs our work with clear, written workmanship warranties.
What Roof Warranties Usually Cover (and Don’t)
- Typically covered:
- Premature shingle failure or granule loss due to manufacturing defects
- Blown-off shingles up to the stated wind rating (if installed correctly)
- Algae growth on algae-resistant shingles (time-limited in many cases)
- Often not covered:
- Leaks from improper flashing, poor ventilation, or non-compliant installation
- Damage from unapproved roof penetrations (solar, satellite) or pressure washing
- Storm damage, falling trees, earthquakes—these are usually insurance matters
- Labor, tear-off, disposal, decking, and interior repairs—unless your warranty specifically includes them
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend reading the fine print on “lifetime” claims—most are limited, prorated, and contingent on proper installation and maintenance.
How to Tell If Your Roof Has a Warranty: A Simple Checklist
- Find your roof age and installer
- Look for your roof contract, paid invoice, or home inspection report.
- If you recently bought the home, check your seller’s disclosures. Many warranties are transferable—but only if you file the transfer within a specific window.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend calling the previous homeowner or agent if paperwork is missing.
- Identify your shingle or membrane brand
- Check attic access, leftover bundles, or stamped shingle tabs.
- Common brands include GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey, or IKO.
- Once you know the brand, visit the manufacturer’s website to review standard and upgraded warranty options.
- Confirm registration and system status
- Some enhanced warranties require:
- Specific accessories (starter, underlayment, ridge)
- Certified installer
- Online registration within 30–90 days
- If you didn’t register, you might still have the basic limited materials warranty. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend contacting the manufacturer to check the serial/lot numbers or providing your address for verification.
- Some enhanced warranties require:
- Check the workmanship warranty
- Your contractor should have provided a written workmanship warranty.
- If you can’t locate the original roofer, All Seasons Roofing can inspect the roof to assess installation quality and advise on realistic coverage expectations.
- Verify transferability
- Many warranties allow a one-time transfer to a new owner—often with a fee and a 60-day window post-sale.
- If you’re buying or selling in Hemet, our Hemet Roofing experts recommend handling warranty transfer during escrow to avoid missed deadlines.
Common Reasons Warranty Claims Get Denied
Avoid these pitfalls to keep your coverage intact:
- Improper ventilation leading to shingle overheating and premature aging
- Incorrect flashing at chimneys, walls, skylights, or valleys
- Unapproved repairs or penetrations by non-roofing trades (solar, HVAC, satellite)
- Lack of maintenance (debris accumulation, clogged gutters, moss)
- Pressure washing or harsh chemical cleaning
- Mixing incompatible products (copper with bare aluminum, etc.)
- Layering over old shingles where prohibited by code or manufacturer specs
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend annual inspections to document proper maintenance—this paper trail can make or break a claim.
Is My Roof Warranty “Lifetime”?
“Lifetime” often means “as long as you own your home,” with important caveats:
- The first 10 years (varies by brand) may be non-prorated materials coverage.
- After that, coverage typically becomes prorated.
- Labor, tear-off, and disposal are usually excluded unless you purchased a system or “NDL” style warranty.
- Wind and algae coverage have separate time limits and conditions.
In plain terms: a “lifetime” label is valuable, but not absolute. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend confirming the non-prorated period, wind rating, and whether labor is included.
What to Do If You Need to File a Warranty Claim
- Document the issue
- Take photos and videos of the leak source, ceiling stains, and attic moisture.
- Note the date, weather, and any immediate mitigation steps you took.
- Mitigate further damage
- Tarp if necessary and safe to do so. Keep receipts—some warranties require you to prevent additional damage.
- Call the right party
- Suspect a defect? Contact the manufacturer and your roofer.
- Suspect installation error or flashing failure? Call your installer first.
- Not sure? All Seasons Roofing can diagnose and guide you to the correct path.
- Don’t self-repair
- DIY patches can void coverage. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend waiting for professional assessment unless it’s an emergency to stop active leaking.
Hemet-Specific Considerations That Impact Warranty Validity
- UV and heat: Prolonged SoCal sun accelerates sealant and shingle aging. Proper ventilation is crucial.
- Santa Ana winds: High gusts test wind ratings and fastening patterns.
- Occasional heavy rains: Flashing and underlayment details matter more than in arid climates.
- Roof-mounted upgrades: Solar installations are common; penetrations must be flashed to manufacturer specs to preserve coverage.
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend pairing yearly inspections with gutter maintenance and post-storm checkups to keep warranties enforceable.
Quick Ways to Tell If You Might Still Be Covered
- Your roof is under 10–15 years old (for asphalt shingles) and installed by a licensed contractor.
- You can identify the shingle brand and find a registration email or certificate.
- The home changed owners only once, and transfer paperwork exists.
- No major unpermitted alterations were made to the roof (solar, skylights, etc.) without a roofer’s involvement.
If any of these apply, there’s a good chance you retain meaningful coverage. All Seasons Roofing can verify.
How All Seasons Roofing Can Help
All Seasons Roofing offers a streamlined, homeowner-friendly process:
- Warranty audit: We identify your roof system, verify registration/transfer status, and summarize coverage.
- Condition report: Photo-documented inspection showing installation details, ventilation, flashing, and maintenance items.
- Claim guidance: If warranted, we help you contact the manufacturer and provide the right documentation the first time.
- Compliance repairs: Code- and manufacturer-compliant fixes to keep coverage intact.
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend scheduling an audit before the rainy season so you’re clear on coverage and prepared if a leak occurs.
Final Takeaway
- Most roofs do have some form of warranty—but value depends on correct installation, registration, maintenance, and transfer.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend confirming your paperwork now, documenting maintenance, and addressing ventilation and flashing issues proactively.
- Not sure where to start? Contact All Seasons Roofing for a warranty audit and inspection. We’ll clarify what’s covered, what’s not, and how to protect your investment in every season across Hemet and the San Jacinto Valley.