March 2026 · 4 min read

How Roof Maintenance Protects Your Manufacturer Warranty

You paid extra for a manufacturer-backed warranty when your commercial roof was installed. 15 years. 20 years. Maybe even 25 years of coverage with no dollar limit on repairs. That warranty is one of the most valuable assets on your building. And you might be voiding it without knowing.

Most manufacturer warranties from Versico, GAF, Carlisle, Duro-Last, and FiberTite include a maintenance requirement. The specific language varies, but the gist is the same: the building owner must perform regular roof maintenance and keep documentation of that maintenance. Fail to do so, and the manufacturer can deny your warranty claim.

We've seen this happen. A building owner files a claim for a membrane failure on a 10-year-old TPO roof with a 20-year NDL warranty. Manufacturer sends an inspector. Inspector asks for maintenance records. Owner has none. Claim denied. The owner is now paying out of pocket for a repair that the warranty was designed to cover.

What counts as maintenance? At minimum: semi-annual inspections by a qualified roofing professional, documented drain clearing, prompt repair of any identified issues, and written reports with photos stored for the life of the warranty. Some manufacturers also require that maintenance be performed by a contractor who holds their specific certification.

The good news: setting up a maintenance program is simple and cheap relative to the warranty value it protects. Two inspections per year at $300-$500 each. Minor repairs caught during inspections. Reports filed with your property records. Total annual cost: $1,000-$2,000. Value of the warranty it protects: $100,000+.

If you're not sure whether your current warranty requires maintenance, pull out the warranty document and read the exclusions section. Or call us. We can review it with you and set up a maintenance schedule that keeps you covered.