Business ProfileforThe Durable Slate Co.

I had the Cleveland branch perform an evaluation of my roof stressing that the attic is finished and needs to be leak free because I plan on renovating. I have a slate hipped roof that comes to a flat area with 2 skylights. No mention of any work needing done on the flat area of the roof. I approved a slate cleaning service they offer and replacement of broken/missing slate and valley/ridge cap replacement. Work started in rainy March 2023. They first sent the washing crew. The next morning after a night of rain, water was dumping into my tenants 2nd floor apartment. I called the company and let them know. And this has not happened at all since I took possession of the home in October 2022. Water was found to be entering from around one of the skylights. That is what was visible. They said they will try to find a way to stop the water and a new estimate is on the way. In the mean time the roofing crew started work. Working as weather permitted for about a week maybe longer. It had lightly rained with no visible water coming in. So I had made the assumption they were able to stop the water from entering. Then I received a quote for an additional 28g worth of work on the cheap side. You know, after just spending 20 on the just completed repairs this was shocking. But then it rained again, hard. Water was dumping into my home both from around the skylight and could now be seen in between the walls of the attic. That was flowing directly into all 3 floors of my home now. They were made aware again and met with my dad. The foreman did not actually go up on my roof to inspect with my dad though. Flashing around the skylights had come apart under the stress of the crew up on the flat roof as well as a boot heel sized hole that was allowing the water to drain into my walls. This all could have been prevented. A temporary patch to stop the water! Open holes left by the crew with no regard for my home and no follow up from the company. My floors have buckled due to this.

In response to this review, we would like to point out the following: Mr. Flemming’s contract was to replace approximately 26 slates (worst only on his roof and not to include prior poorly replaced slates), replace all the valley flashings, vent pipe flashing and ridge caps and to then power wash the roof at the lowest effective setting. This contract was completed in full and Mr. Flemming has/had no complaints with the work done that was contracted for. Future repairs needed were listed on the front page of the contract noting that he needed repairs on the hip and chimney flashings and his flat roof. At no time did Mr. Flemming mention having had leaks from the flat roof before that had been patched, specifically around the sky lights. When the job began on March 21st of 2023, the roofer working on Mr. Flemming’s roof took photographs of the flat roof and the skylights, noting the very poor condition the roof itself and the skylight flashings were in. These photos were given to the Estimator for an additional quote for Mr. Flemming to have his flat roof and skylights repaired/replaced. On March 25th Mr. Flemming reports a new leak in the attic area of his house around the skylights. As a courtesy, the skylight area was tarped off while we were on the roof working. Mr. Flemming acknowledged himself the poor weather conditions that had been occurring when reporting the “new” leak. On March 29th a lengthy conversation was had with Mr. Flemming regarding the repair of the flat roof and the need to replace the skylights and the future potential problems that often occur with skylights on a flat roof. To replace the skylights would require “a lot of structural work” which Mr. Flemming acknowledged. As well, it was recommended he replace the flat roof and remove the skylights as that would be a cheaper option than replacing both flat roof and skylights. At this time Mr. Flemming was told that the foreman recommended replacing the flat roof to prevent leaks, likely due to a failing sealant layer. The flat roof's flashed edges are severely deteriorated. As such, it's likely that this sealant is coating the original metal and both need to be replaced. At this time Mr. Flemming also asked about the power washing and was told it had already been completed the week prior. On April 3rd more discussion was had regarding repair/replacement of the flat roof as well as discussion on the current work’s progression. Mr. Fleming is also told at this time that finials will need to be replaced IF he proceeds with flat roof repair, whether copper or rubber. Mr. Flemming voices concerns regarding the cost to replace the flat roof and tentatively rejects the bid. He then requests that DSC inspect his garage for any missing slates. The work was completed on April 7th and Mr. Flemming was invoiced and paid for the work done. On April 11th Mr. Flemming receives the actual estimate to replace the flat roof and becomes upset that this was not presented to him first instead of the estimate for the slate repair – which is why we were called in the first place as we are a slate roofing company. At this time. he implies that his current leak was caused by the power washing. As all slates that could facilitate leaking were repaired prior to the power washing and the water from the power washing did not come into contact with the flat roof, this is not a probable cause of the current leak. As Mr. Flemming was not in the state at the time of this repair, he requests that the Branch Manager meet with his father at his house so he can show the Branch manager the interior damage caused from the most recent leak. The Branch Manager does meet with the father as requested on April 25th. This was a new leak in the attic area and the Branch Manager suggested a ballpark price to patch the flat roof. At this time, we were still under the assumption that the water was only making entry around the skylight, and this was not something that could have been quickly or effectively “patched.” NOTE: This is the first time that leak damage in the house other than what was reported directly under the skylights has been mentioned. We are pleased his father was able to patch the correct area quickly. On June 2nd, 2023, Mr. Flemming claims the attic area was dry in February when he was last there and determines that the workers caused the leak by accessing the flat roof to work on his slate roof. While we understand how upsetting it can be to have a leak in your roof, there was never a moment when we weren’t transparent about the condition of the flat roof and the potential future problems and we did our best to assist him in securing a solution. We do not feel that we were responsible for the condition of the flat roof and his resultant leak and did what we could to assist him while there. There is obvious evidence of prior leaking issues that had been patched on Mr. Flemming’s flat roof and for a roof in the condition this flat roof was in to leak after a large storm system had moved in is frankly not surprising. We encourage him to find a good flat roofing Company to assist him with his flat roof going forward.