What should you do about the roof warranty on a new home before year one ends?
Short answer. Schedule a roof and attic check around month 10 or 11, while the builder's first year workmanship warranty is still active, and send the builder a written list of anything found. Problems reported after that window usually become yours to pay for.
Why timing matters
Builder warranties commonly cover workmanship items like roofing for about one year. Many roof issues on new homes take a season or two to show: a leak in the first hard rain from the right direction, a shingle that blows off in the first spring storms, condensation in the attic after the first cold snap.
What to check at month 10 or 11
- Shingles that never sealed or lifted, especially if the roof went on in cold weather.
- Exposed or popped nails along ridges and edges.
- Kickout flashing where a roof edge meets a wall. Missing kickouts lead to hidden rot behind siding.
- Step flashing at walls and chimneys, tucked properly behind the wall covering.
- Pipe boots sealed and sized correctly.
- Attic: bath fan ducts that end in the attic instead of outside, insulation blocking soffit vents, and any damp or dark spots on the decking.
How to submit
- Photograph each issue.
- Send the builder a dated, written list before the warranty ends.
- Keep copies and note when repairs are scheduled and completed.
After year one
The manufacturer's limited warranty on the shingles continues, and storm damage was always an insurance matter. For more on what drives early problems, see roof ventilation basics and common roof leak causes.