Debby Hill

Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:02 pm

We have a vertical panel, standing seam roof on our hose for about 8 years. It has leaked since installation and the original contractor tried to fix it with calk. We have had 2 other contractors look at it since then(they reported improper installation). One replaced ridge caps and chimney cap with no change in the leaks, the other worked around the ventilator with no change in leaks. Leaks appear midway to lower levels at various locations in the roof. Have sunk substantial funds with no solution. Husband getting frustrated, ready to pull it off and replace with shingle. Like the metal roof, not sure sufficient funds at this point to go back and replace the whole thing. Any ideas?

Master

Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:31 pm

Find a roofer to troubleshoot the procblem. Was it leaking in the same place before the metal roof was installed?

Is water showing up ONLY when it rains?

Pride_roofing

Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:29 pm

Master this is ur field but could it be condensation? I have seen that many times.

QRFL

Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:59 pm

we would be just guessing like this, can you try to take a picture of the area on the roof that is leaking the worst? and posting it here?.
maybe it would help.

Master

Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:50 pm

That is why I asked about moisture only present when it rains.

When I bid to repair a roof leak, I take my best guesstimate from my inspection and look at all the possibilities. I then make my assessment, and draw up a scope of work. If I am wrong when we get to actually repairing the roof, I repair the true defficiency to repair the leak. I warrant my leak repairs.

Did your roofers warrant their repairs or your leak?

Debby Hill

Sun Jul 31, 2005 12:13 pm

Hey, I am impressed with you guys jumping in like that. To answer your questions, it only leaks when it rains, we have an attic ventilator installed to take care of humidity levels. We can actually see water dripping from several areas when a hard rain is in progress. While the contractor said he would warrenty his work for life, we called him several times to return for the leaks and he came with a calking gun to "seal it up". (We didn't know any better at the time.) Finally, he stopped returning my calls and has since disappeared, I don't know if he is out of business or just moved. The roof was not leaking there before, it had started in another location that is not now leaking. (Thank God for that at least!) Could post picture, but not sure how to do that, would need coaching. The house is a farmhouse, 4 sided roof peaking toward a central chimney. Two other contractors have looked at it, both offered suggestions that we followed through on and did not stop the problem. Our repair bills are approaching a substantial portion of paying for a new roof without any success. Hope this helps.

QRFL

Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:24 pm

i know there is a way of posting pictures in this forum but i have not used it myself either, check your messages on the roofing menu to the left and send the picture to the e-mail i gave you. hopefully it helps.

Pride_roofing

Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:35 pm

Debbie use the link at the bottom of my posting so you can leave a pic there. Then copy the link and post it here for all to see. It is a good site. Here is there web site, http://www.roofersreview.com/gallery2/main.php
this way we can see what you have and then make a determination. When it is sunny see if you can get in the attic and snap a few pics of where it has leaked.

QRFL

Tue Aug 02, 2005 5:54 am

hey guys the owner sent me a picture of this roof and all it is is a 4 sided hip roof and for what i can see its about a 6/12 pitch with a chimney 2x2 right at the top point where all hips meet apparently chimney has counterflashing installed its weird since i dont see pipe penetrations on the sides leaking .
just straight go.
metal ridge/hip is in place all i come up with the picture is that the chimney is not flashed right and the underlayment is bad.Causing water to run under all 4 sides since chimney is on the center.

i hate to tell this customer to have an underlayment inspection which would mean lifting up this flat metal roof (kinda skyline look).

Debby ill try to get your pics up in this forum so the other guys take a look at it but it seems it will definetly need to come up (at least for a felt inspection) check thru your contract and specifications. make sure you got what you paid for ,water should not be runing on the felt under the metal and if it does the underlayment should be properly installed to prevent it from leaking, sounds like an overall bad roof installation.

you allready have improper installation report from 2 other contractors.

sounds to me your "roofer" is trying to pull a fast one.

could you answer this questions please:

1) was the roofer licensed?

if so go to the contractor state license board,they will find him for you.

2) was he member of any afiliations like the BBB or so?

if so you can also complain there they will also help you find him.

if the "contractor" does this kind of work he wont be around too long so better hurry

Debby Hill

Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:38 pm

I kinda chuckled when I read your latest entry....there was no felt put down under the metal. It was connected to the boarding directly. I will try to get another picture from underneath for you so you can see. Will also pull the contract to examine it and will check on the license. Thanks for all your help...you guys are educating me as we go.

Master

Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:03 pm

Wow, Debbie. Sorry to hear your story. We now know it was a shoddy installation. Has your original roofer returned any calls yet?

QRFL

Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:26 am

yes mrs. hill sorry to hear that it seems we finally got to the bottom of it,please follow up and reply of your investigation.
we like to hear happy endings..

Debby Hill

Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:05 pm

Chasing after this guy may take a lot of time. In the meantime, my big question is, do I try to fix the leaks, just give up and replace the whole roof, or what? I am running out of money to just keep throwing it on there if things cannot be fixed, yet I hate to "overreact" and just rip it off if a less intensive response could solve the problem. I know you guys cannot "guarantee" your answers, but I sure would like opinions about what you would do.

Pride_roofing

Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:27 pm

Personally it was done incorrectly, It could and i say could have problems for many years. Rather than JUst patching it i would just get it done right.

QRFL

Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:23 am

i agree with pride, you cannot patch-it it will be a waste of money, you should not really take that long to get the guy to re-do it or refund via state license board, the guy stopped going back because he knew the only way to fix it is to re-do it, and he was hiding.

i saw your roof and ill say this... maybe it will work maybe it wont..

if it's an emergency and bad weather approaches only to attempt to protect your home while you get the guy, you can cover the chimney with plastic all the way from the top and down on to the area where it goes in to the roof, tie some ropes around it to keep it from flying off and cross your fingers.

Remember this:

1) this is only an emergency repair if your property is in danger of being damage (take pics and save them)

2) YOU HAVE A METAL ROOF IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO GO UP THERE YOURSELF ONLY A PROFESSIONAL WITH PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD GO UP THERE "YOU HAVE A TWO STORY HOUSE" IT CAN GET VERY SLIPPERY AND YOU CAN FALL OR GET KILLED.

3) BY COVERING THE CHIMNEY YOU "CANNOT!!!" USE IT ANYMORE THE CARBON MONOXIDE CAN BUILD UP IN YOUR HOUSE AND YOU CAN ALSO GET KILLED THIS WAY .

there is nothing to patch it cheap, your roof must be re-done properly.

you really should not worry about spending more money if the roofing contractor is still around.... get'im