A roof is one of the most important components of your home, protecting the interior from the elements and contributing to its overall energy efficiency. Unfortunately, roofs are highly vulnerable to a range of problems, from wind damage to staining and age-related issues.
Any time you spot a sign of damage on your roof, it is important to have it repaired immediately to prevent the issue from getting worse. However, roof repairs can be very costly, with Nerd Wallet reporting that the average cost of fixing a roof is around $1,000.
Many homeowners wonder if this type of repair can be covered by their home warranty. Here is a closer look at when roof repairs might be covered by your warranty and other methods of funding them.
Roof Coverage and Home Warranties
Home warranties are service contracts that cover repairs to major systems in the home, including the roof. However, individual home warranty policies vary significantly. Some may include roof repair as part of their standard coverage, while other companies require homeowners to purchase roof coverage as an add-on service.
Most home warranties do not cover a full roof replacement, but many of them will cover repairs. Keep in mind that home warranties do not automatically replace elements of the home that are broken. This means that if your new roof is leaking, you may not be able to have it entirely replaced under your home warranty, but it should allow you to have the leak fixed.
This is different from the way that other systems and appliances in the home are handled by warranties. In most policies, appliances or systems that cannot be repaired will be replaced under warranty. With roof coverage, in contrast, this is generally only limited to leaks, and replacement is specifically excluded.
It is also important to keep in mind that most home warranties have a set service call fee. When a roof repair is in order, and you reach out to a contractor, you will be required to pay a flat fee similar to an insurance copay.
Not All Types of Roof Leaks Will Be Covered
Even if your home warranty does cover roof repairs, it is important to read the fine print carefully as most warranties will not cover every leaky roof scenario. All warranties have limits and exclusions. For example, many will only cover roofs above occupied parts of the home. This means that a roof above a porch or patio would not be included.
Some companies might also impose limitations on the types of roofs they will cover, with flat tar and gravel roofs and metal roofs common exceptions. Your warranty might also exclude leaks at specific parts of the roof, such as around skylights, windows, solar components, chimneys and vent stacks.
Damage Caused by a Roof Leak May Not Be Covered
Roof leaks tend to be complicated matters, and not every aspect of the leak will be covered by a typical home warranty. Once your roof begins leaking, water is likely to infiltrate your home in areas where you might not even notice it until mold or other visible damage has occurred.
While your home warranty may cover the leak, it will not cover the other damage that it causes. This means a leak can be very expensive by the time you factor in damaged ceilings, waterlogged floorboards, mold abatement and other problems that stem from the leak.
What About Homeowners Insurance?
The type of roof repair you need may fall under your homeowners insurance rather than a home warranty. Home warranties generally cover age-related repairs, while homeowners insurance covers accident-related damage. This means that if, for example, a branch crashes through the roof during a heavy rainstorm, homeowners insurance may cover the incident.
Be sure to check the specifics in your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you meet the required conditions, you can file a damage claim with your homeowners insurance company.
What About the Roof Warranty?
New shingles generally carry a warranty, but this only covers defects in the roofing material or shingles themselves. If the shingles or shakes were not defective, the warranty would not be able to help.
However, your roofing contractor may have offered you their own warranty on the workmanship of the roof. Check your contract for details; when offered, these warranties typically only offer coverage for a year or two.
Contact the Experienced Northern Virginia Roofing Professionals at Adelphia Exteriors
As soon as you notice roof damage, it is important to seek repair immediately to prevent further damage. In some cases, a timely roof leak repair can help you avoid the expense of a full roof replacement.
If you believe your roof is leaking or damaged, get in touch with the experienced Northern Virginia roof contractors at Adelphia Exteriors to schedule a free roof evaluation.