Your roof warranty is an essential piece of the puzzle for protecting your business, your investment, and your peace of mind. But the hard reality is that not all warranty claims are accepted—this can lead to frustration and an unexpected financial hit when something goes wrong.

Depending on your warranty, there are various reasons why a roof warranty claim may be rejected.

Understanding the circumstances that can lead to a rejected commercial roof warranty claim can help you avoid potential pitfalls and ensure a smooth claims process if needed. Let’s explore the top five reasons manufacturers deny warranty claims on commercial roofs.

1. Lack of regular roof maintenance

Most manufacturer warranties expect you to perform regular roof inspections and maintenance to ensure the longevity of your commercial roofing system. And with good reason: according to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and Association for Facilities Engineers (AFE), routine maintenance can increase the life of a commercial roof by 30% to 100%.

So, if you have failed to maintain your roof correctly, the warranty may not cover any resulting damage. This can leave you footing a hefty bill to replace or repair your roof prematurely.

A proper inspection is more than a glance around from the ground or a peek at the roof from the stairwell. It requires a thorough inspection by a professional who can check for everything from damaged flashing to cracking or standing water. Inspections allow you to identify and fix issues early to prevent further damage and extend the life of your roof.

To prove you’ve conducted regular inspections and maintenance, keep a log of instances of maintenance. Every time your roof is inspected, repaired, or cleaned, note the date, time, reason, and who conducted the roof-related activities. This gives you a clear record of what you’ve done to ensure regular maintenance is maintained.

2. Damage due to negligence

Similarly, damage caused by negligence can void your warranty claim. Negligence happens when your action or inaction is deliberate and results in damage. For example, ignoring a leak, allowing excessive moss growth, or failing to remove debris are all acts of negligence.

This ties into regular roof maintenance—if you aren’t inspecting your roof regularly, you most likely won’t know there is an algae issue or standing water to remedy. But whether you know it is there or not, your warranty is still in jeopardy.

When you discover a leak, you should address it immediately. Ignoring a leak can cause structural damage, mold growth, and a negative impact on other elements of your building, including the electrical system.

When moss or algae growth gets out of control, it can harm your roof. These organisms trap moisture and can cause your roof to deteriorate. To prevent this, clean your roof regularly and treat it with anti-moss or anti-solutions.

Removing debris from your roof should be a regular occurrence. For example, you should always check your roof for debris after a storm and remove it when found. Leaves, branches, and other debris can clog drains, leading to water backups and potential damage.

When you take proactive steps to address these maintenance issues, you can keep your roof in good condition and ensure that your warranty is not denied due to negligence.

3. Installation errors

Proper installation is essential in the roofing world to ensure your roofing system’s longevity and overall performance. However, improper installation techniques can lead to problems that the warranty may not cover.

Warranty claims can be rejected because of improper installation techniques. Roofing systems are complex, and the installation requires a professional team understanding industry standards. When standards are not followed, they can create significant issues in the future.

Some of the most common—albeit entirely avoidable—errors include:

• Inadequate ventilation can trap moisture, leading to mold and mildew growth and roofing materials deterioration.
• Improper flashing can result in water leaks, which can cause extensive damage to the entire building.

The use of non-approved materials can also lead to warranty claim rejections. Manufacturers have a list of approved roofing materials for use with their products. If you choose to cut corners and use different, unapproved materials, your warranty will be void, and it can lead to premature roof failure.

Manufacturers spend time and money on research and development and testing to find the specific materials that work best with their products. These products are designed to work together to provide the best possible performance and longevity. Using non-approved materials can compromise the roof’s ability to withstand the elements because they don’t necessarily meet the needed quality standards.

Installation errors can make a roofing system prone to deterioration and premature failure. This can result in expensive repairs or a full roof replacement that will not be covered under warranty.

When you work with a trusted, reputable roofing company—like the team at NU-TEK Roofing Systems—you can be sure your roof is being installed properly and meets all industry and warranty standards.

4. Unusual weather conditions or natural disasters

Weather events can wreak havoc on roofs—storms, strong winds, or hail can cause significant damage. Depending on your warranty, some weather-related damage may be covered, while others may exclude it or have specific limitations. Understanding what types of weather-related damage are covered in your warranty is essential.

Most warranties do not cover damage caused by natural disasters. Your roof may sustain large-scale damage if a hurricane or earthquake impacts your building. In this instance, the damage is likely not covered under your warranty.   

5. Changes in the use of the building

If the way you use your building changes drastically, the manufacturer warranty may be void. While it may not be an issue if you change from a warehouse that stores textiles to a warehouse that stores kitchen appliances, other transitions may negatively impact the roof and building structure.

But if you transition from storing textiles to manufacturing textiles or storing refrigerated items to storing textiles, and something happens to your roof, your warranty claim may be rejected.

Protect your warranty and prolong the life of your roof

A lack of regular roof maintenance is one of the most common reasons for rejecting commercial roof warranty claims. At NU-TEK Roof Systems, we understand the importance of maintaining your roof warranty and that when you take steps to maintain your warranty, you’re also taking steps to protect and prolong the life of your roof.

With our free Warranty Compliance Checklist, you can keep your warranty intact and extend the lifespan of your roof. Download your copy today.