UFC 3-110-03
26 September 2006
APPENDIX D WARRANTIES
D-1
GENERAL.
Many roofing systems include a warranty or guarantee. To safe guard the interest of
the client, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of what is and is not
covered by the installer or manufacturer under the warranty. Careful attention to written
details of the contractor's obligations and field installation of the products will improve
the viability of the roof and enhance its performance. Although warranties by
themselves will not guarantee a long lasting, watertight roof, they can be an important
part of the process.
D-2
WARRANTY TYPES.
D-2.1
Manufacturers' Warranties.
Manufacturers warranties are often offered as an "off the shelf" item. Most
manufacturers offer several different warranties for the same product.
D-2.1.1
Materials Warranty (five to 20 years). Material warranties focus on the
durability of the product installed on the roof. Labor to remove and reinstall may not be
included in this warranty unless specifically required by the contract. Exclusions should
be carefully reviewed since they vary widely--from reasonable exclusions such as
unusual weather conditions and owner neglect to unreasonable exclusions.
D-2.1.2
Watertight Warranty (System Warranty) (five to 20 years). Watertight
warranties are used to obtain quality installation. Manufacturers will list requirements in
the warranty necessary for the warranty to remain intact--such as regular inspections
(two or more times a year). The watertight roof system warranty should include all roof
penetrations and flashing (interface with all adjacent surfaces). To maintain the
warranty, the roof must be installed according to manufacturer's requirements--which
often specify the roof installers. When other than an approved roof installer installs
features on the roof (mechanical contractors, etc.), problems may occur in obtaining
watertight warranty coverage for those features. This issue should be addressed in the
contract specification. Signatures on Warranty must be from the roof SYSTEM
manufacturer and the Government User, not the General Contractors. This helps to
avoid issues if the general contractor goes out of business.
D-2.2
General Contractor's Warranties (one to five years).
Recently some government roof specifications call for a General Contractor's Watertight
Warranty to add another method of ensuring a quality roof installation.
D-2.3
Roof Installers Warranty to General Contractor (one to five years).
The government does not have a direct contractual relationship with any subcontractor,
including a roof subcontractor. General Contractors will attempt to achieve the same
legal protection as the government by requiring the roof subcontractor be responsible to
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