When installing a new metal roof, it is implied that the roof shouldn’t leak. The purpose of any type of warranty is to confirm that the customer is buying a quality roofing system – plain and simple. However, the purchase of a Weathertightness Warranty on a metal roofing system, adds an additional layer of protection for the building owner. It is important to note that in order to offer a Weathertightness Warranty, many factors must be considered and protocols that must be followed. Here are five key steps metal roof installers are responsible for when pursuing Weathertightness Warranties for their metal roofing projects:
1. Selecting the right Weathertightness Warranty
There are two types of Weathertightness Warranties available to choose from: Standard and Single Source.
Standard Weathertightness Warranties provide basic coverage common throughout the industry. These warranties offer coverage from the manufacturer should leaks be the result of manufacturing defects in the materials. If leaks are determined to be the result of improper installation and workmanship, that coverage is the responsibility of the installing contractor. Note that Standard Weathertightness Warranty options can range from 5 years up to 20 years.
Single-Source Weathertightness Warranties place sole responsibility on the manufacturer. If leaks should occur, building owners have one point of contact to get the problem investigated and resolved, as opposed to multiple points of contact between manufacturer and installer with Standard Weathertightness Warranties. Because Single-Source Warranties place sole responsibility on the manufacturer, it is required that the installer completes the manufacturer’s certified installer training program and adheres to stringent inspections throughout the installation process.
It’s important to note that there are square-footage costs associated with both the Standard and Single-Source Weathertightness Warranties, which are outlined in the Standing Seam Warranty Brochure on the EXCEPTIONAL® Metals website. Once these factors have been evaluated and a warranty type has been selected by the building owner, the metal roof installer must share this information with the manufacturer before the project beings in order to follow proper protocols throughout the installation process.
2. Confirm construction of building for approval of warranty
To obtain a Weathertightness Warranty, it is important to confirm if there are any additions to the project or changes during the planning and installation process. For instance, is the manufacturer aware of all transitions, edge conditions, roof penetrations, roof accessories, etc.?
When working with EXCEPTIONAL Metals, our team will review the roof plan and determine what can be covered by the warranty and if revisions are needed. If any items will not be covered by the warranty, our team will ensure these items are listed out as early as possible.
As an overall important rule, the customer and installer must communicate with the manufacturer if any changes are being made to the roof to avoid surprises during the warranty issuing process. Additionally, it’s always important that the customer have a good understanding of what is covered under their specific warranty.
3. Ensure installer has proper certification & training required by warranty
To be able to offer Single Source Weathertightness Warranties, installers must be certified by the manufacturer before the project begins. It’s important to note that certifications follow the individual that was certified, not the installation company as a whole. Many installers find it beneficial to have multiple team members certified through the manufacturer to ensure that there is always a certified installer available and present on their metal roofing projects.
EXCEPTIONAL Metals proudly provides regular training programs, along with MBCI, to certify installers on our metal roofing systems and to offer Single Source Weathertightness Warranties. These certifications last up to 5 years.
4. Carefully Follow Installation Protocol
To avoid unforeseen costs and time, it’s important to strictly follow manufacturer instructions and protocol during installation. It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure that all manufacturer guidelines are met to be able to issue a Weathertightness Warranty. In the event that the installer does not follow the proper instructions and protocol, any issues found during the manufacturer inspection must be corrected by the installer before a warranty can be issued.
Additionally, it is the responsibility of the installer to verify that a certified team member is present during all stages of installation if a Single-Source Weathertightness Warranty is to be issued.
5. Ensure any final additions or changes to the installed system receive manufacturer approval
It is important to state once again that the Weathertightness Warranty can only cover the installed products outlined by the manufacturer. It cannot cover any additions or changes without prior approval by the manufacturer once the install is complete. These additions even include installing a satellite TV cable, adding a mechanical unit to the roof, or a plumbing vent.
If any additions are made to the roof after install without prior approval, then that portion of the roof will not be covered by the warranty. For more information on available Weathertightness Warranties and how your team can secure them for your future metal roofing projects, contact us today!