Waterproofing Warranties
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO ROOFING & WATERPROOFING WARRANTIES:
WHAT’S REAL, WHAT’S MARKETING & WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Waterproofing warranties love two things: capital letters and ambiguity. Manufacturers know that owners crave reassurance, so they name products “Ultra-Shield Platinum Supreme,” then tuck so many exclusions under the hood that the “supreme” part becomes aspirational.
A good warranty is not an ornament. It is a contract. And like any contract, its power lies in the details—particularly when you’re dealing with critical waterproofing systems where leaks can destroy far more than the roof membrane.
The Two Truths of Warranties:
A warranty is not quality assurance.
A warranty is only as good as the manufacturer’s willingness—and ability—to honor it.
Which Roofing/Waterproofing Warranties are Legitimate?
Manufacturers such as Laurenco, Siplast, Carlisle, GAF, Tremco, Hydrotech, and Sika/Sarnafil generally offer legitimate warranties because they operate within long-established markets, have certified applicator programs, and tie their warranties to documented installation procedures.
A legitimate manufacturer warranty typically includes:
A defined warranty term (10, 15, 20, 30 years).
A requirement that installation is performed by an approved installer.
Pre-installation review (often a “pull test,” substrate evaluation, or shop drawings).
A manufacturer’s field representative inspection before and/or after completion.
A written warranty certificate issued directly by the manufacturer—not the contractor.
These systems have a lineage; they’ve been litigated, defended, and re-written based on history, failures, and industry consensus. That doesn’t make them perfect, but it makes them known quantities.
Where Legitimacy Dips
Contractors issuing their own “manufacturer-style” warranty.
Private-label products with no traceable testing data or history.
Warranties offered without installer certification or site inspections—those are usually marketing, not protection.
The Big Difference?
LIMITED WARRANTY - This is the standard. A limited warranty restricts:what is covered; for how long; under what conditions; what voids the coverage; how claims are processed; actual dollar limits;
exclusions for “acts of God,” ponding water, structural movement, adjacent trades, and mis-use
Every waterproofing system—whether hot-applied rubberized asphalt, modified bitumen, cold fluid-applied, PMMA, TPO, EPDM, or PVC—comes with a limited warranty unless the manufacturer is using flowery language.
The key point: limited warranties are not bad. They are simply conditional. The problem is that most owners assume a limited warranty behaves like a full one.
FULL WARRANTY - A full warranty is the unicorn of the roofing world. If it existed in a pure form, it would require that the manufacturer - repair or replace the product free of charge, including labor; offer service within a reasonable time; not limit the duration of implied warranties under federal law; provide transferable coverage.
In roofing, “full warranty” rarely means what it implies. Most so-called full warranties are actually materials-and-labor warranties with conditions.
What to Watch out for
1 Make a Point to know “Who Actually Issues the Warranty?”
Always confirm it is the manufacturer, not the installer. Installers come and go; manufacturers have deeper pockets and broader accountability.
Contractors typically offer a 1 to 5-year workmanship warranty. This is separate from the manufacturer warranty, but just as important.
2 Does the Warranty Cover Material Only, or Material AND Labor?
Here’s where you’ve got to watch out! A “materials warranty” covers replacement of the membrane—but not the cost of removing ballast, flashing, insulation, protection boards, pavers, green roof systems, or anything else in the way. In NYC, Labor costs often exceed material costs by 300–600%. Knowing your warranty type is critical.
3 Is the Warranty “No Dollar Limit” (NDL)?
A No Dollar Limit warranty means the manufacturer will cover the full cost of repairing the system, regardless of how expensive the repair becomes. Without NDL coverage, the manufacturer caps its exposure—often at the original purchase price of the materials. NDL is the gold standard for commercial projects.
4 What Routine Maintenance Is Required?
Many warranties quietly require: Annual inspections, Cleaning of drains, Removal of rooftop debris, and Documentation of repairs by certified contractors. As an Owner, it is important to ensure documentation of all requirements of the Warranty is diligently performed. A surprising number of claims get denied because the owner didn’t maintain the roof.
5 What Voids the Warranty?
This is where the dragons lie and where one should really watch out. Common void triggers include: Unauthorized penetrations (new HVAC lines, conduits, railings); Repairs by non-certified contractors; Use of unapproved accessories; Ponding water beyond a specified duration; Overloading the roof; Allowing other trades to damage the membrane; Failure to notify manufacturer immediately upon leak discovery.
Additional thoughts...
Waterproofing failures lead to secondary damage—interiors, tenants, mechanical systems—which warranties almost never cover. So the stakes are high and due diligence matters.
Manufacturer and Contractor Warranties are important but cannot replace Good Oversight. A warranty can be comforting, but is no substitute for a well-designed system, a certified installer, and construction manager/owner’s rep verifying all particulars including installation, controlled sequencing with other trades,etc.
Ponte Project Management—your trusted partner from first detail to final sign-off, keeping every project watertight and on course.