"Warranty denied—said wind wasn't strong enough. Turned out installer skimped on nails."
Yeah, warranties can be tricky like that. Had a similar issue—installer rushed the flashing around my chimney, leaked within a year. Warranty folks shrugged it off as "installation error," which technically it was... but still frustrating. Best bet: always vet the installer thoroughly beforehand. Reviews usually hint if they're cutting corners or not. Saving a few bucks upfront isn't worth the headache later.
"Saving a few bucks upfront isn't worth the headache later."
Totally agree with this. Learned it the hard way myself—had shingles blow off after a mild storm, and warranty folks pointed fingers at the installer. Turns out, they didn't even use the recommended nail pattern. Ended up redoing half the roof myself (with some YouTube help, lol). Definitely worth taking extra time to research installers and maybe even double-checking their work during installation... saves a ton of hassle down the road.
Couldn't agree more with your experience—seen it countless times myself during inspections. It's surprising how often installers skip recommended nail patterns or proper flashing methods. Even reputable brands' warranties won't cover improper installation, leaving homeowners stuck footing the bill. Good on you for tackling the repair yourself, though... that's no easy task. Double-checking work during installation is a smart move—prevention beats the headache of warranty disputes every single time.
Had a similar situation last summer—got called out to a roof that was barely five years old, leaking like crazy around the chimney. Turns out the flashing was installed completely wrong, no step flashing at all, just caulked up and called good. Homeowner thought the warranty would cover it, but nope... improper install voided everything. Ended up redoing the whole chimney flashing myself. Definitely pays to keep an eye on things during installation—saves a ton of headaches later on.
Totally get this—seen it happen way too often. A few quick thoughts from experience:
- Manufacturer warranties almost never cover improper installation... learned that the hard way myself.
- Always worth getting a third-party inspection during the install, especially for tricky areas like chimneys or skylights.
- If you're considering a new roof, look into certified installers—some manufacturers extend better coverage if you use their approved contractors.
- And don't underestimate the value of regular maintenance checks. Catching small issues early can save you from huge bills later.
On a side note, been pushing green roofs lately—they can actually help protect your waterproofing layer and extend roof life. Plus, they're great for insulation and stormwater management. Might be worth exploring if you're ever doing a full replacement anyway.
