ComplaintsforDamschroder Roofing, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  05/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  [BBB Transcription via Ohio AG]

  Had company come to fix roof with a product instead of getting it replaced in 2021. Says the roof has
  been leaking for 3 years and they cant get it fixed. Paid $14,000 and the product doesn't work.
  
  

  

  Business response

  05/14/2024

  This written response is in reference to the coating project at the barn owned by *************************, located at ********************************************************************Damschroder was called out to evaluate this roof for a coating by ************* (father of ******** late-husband) back in 2021 and we gave a proposal in November of 2021 for multiple options for repairs (proposal attached). We received the approved proposal in February of ********************************************************************************** June of 2022.  
  
  There were no issues until August of 2022 when we were notified of leaks related to the cupola reinstallation.This area was completely sealed to the best of our ability when the cupola was reinstalled. Any leaks caused by defects within the cupola enclosure were, and remain, unaddressable as the enclosure is unable to be dismantled for investigation per the customers request.  The customer is insistent upon retaining the buildings original character and the cupola is original to the building. Since then,we have made every effort to investigate and repair the reported leak areasat no charge to ******* as a courtesy because *** has been a longstanding customer with **********************.
  
  Upon thorough investigation, we ruled out our work on the roof as a cause of the barns water leaks.  It is our conviction, based upon our roofing expertise, that water is entering Briannes barn through the cupola and/or as a result of condensation forming between the roof substrate and the spray foam insulation attached directly to the roof substrate.  Installation of spray foam insulation directly to the roof substrate in a climate-controlled facility such as this barn is atypical.Additionally, the problems associated with the spray foam insulation are exacerbated here by the existence of a ridge vent that was sealed off internally with the spray foam insulation when it was previously installed. At Damschroder, we attempt to rule out all possible leak points before determining that an issue may be condensation related. This is what we have done in this case.
  
  To reiterate, *******'s barn was designed to utilize a vented ridge cap system.  However, this ridge cap system was rendered inoperable at some point prior to Damschroders work when the aforementioned spray foam insulation was installed.  While applying our coating on the barn roof, we sealed off the closures where the ridge system meets the top of the metal panel high ribs.  Our work did not include sealing off the venting system, which was already sealed off from the interior prior to our involvement in this project.
  
  Damschroder understands ******** frustration with the persistent leaks she is experiencing on her barn.  However, Damschroder has concluded that these leaks are not related to the work it was paid to perform on the barn, namely the installation of a silicone roof coating on the existing metal barn roof, which was installed according to manufacturers specifications.Prior to beginning this project, Damschroder notified *** (our original contact on this project) that no warranty would be provided with this project due to the age and condition of the existing roof.  This is reflected in the absence of any warranty language in the attached proposal.  This fact, in conjunction with Damschroder's determination that the cause of the persistent leaks on the barn is something other than the coating work performed by Damschroder, supports Damschroders determination that no refund is due on this project.  
  
  

  Customer response

  06/03/2024

  We had Damshroder roofing come out to inspect our roof because we had issues with the skylights leaking. They came out and inspected the whole roof and gave us a rundown of what needed done and what everything would cost. They told us that we didnt need a new roof and insured us that their sealer would fix all our issues and seal all our leaks. At the time my husband just passed away and I was dealing with alot and my two little children. I gave them my full trust and believed they were giving me the best option for what I needed. Boy was I wrong. They came and sealed the skylights and put a sealer on the whole roof and nail heads to seal the roof from any leaks happening and would solve our issue. They gave us their word that we didnt need a new roof and that their product would work. It never worked from day one. I didnt go out to the shop for a month or two because I was dealing with a lot of others things with my husband passing and in the process of finishing our new house build. I thought I didnt have to worry about the leaks anymore as they guaranteed me this was a fix all. I then went out to the shop one night to get something and noticed there were puddles on the shop floor and the roof was still leaking everywhere. I contacted them and they came back out and found a couple nail heads that were still not sealed and a couple spots that were cracked. They sealed them once again but that did not stop the leaks. Every single time it rained it kept leaking and in more and more spots. And it started leaking on things inside our building like our tv, radio, fridge and so forth. It was starting to really concern us because now its becoming an electrical and fire hazard. We kept calling and they would come back out and try and fix whatever they thought was the problem at that time. This would go on for some time back and forth and it was getting old. Our shop that we paid big money for to be sealed is still leaking and causing damage to our building. Then it started the emails back and forth with them blaming everything other than their sealer not being the problem or the job they told us that was going to be fixed by their work. We dealt with this for over two years back and forth and we were very patient with them. Enough is enough and nothing was fixing the problem. They came out and blamed it on the ridge cap not being sealed and it needed sealed (which that was never addressed on there initial inspection on the roof) and they wanted to charge us another $2k on top of what we already paid them. We never agreed on paying them that because we thought that was ridiculous on top of what we paid them already and we were still dealing with the original issue. They came out and said they fixed it and then the next week it rained and the shop was still leaking everywhere. The actual site manager came out and we were talking to him on what they did and he came right out and said that is definitely not what should of been done and they shouldnt of fixed it that way. At this point they have been out to try and fix all the leaks more times than I can count. We should not be dealing with this for the amount of money we spent. We could have put a new roof on for cheaper and been done with it. Then their next thing they started blaming it on was the spray foam insulation inside. They said it was all condensation and thats what the leaks were from. The shop never sweats ever and I know the difference between condensation and a roof leaking. It only leaked and left puddles when it was raining. This has been going on for two years and constantly leaking and causing mold and going to ruin the structure of our barn. Then they wanted to come out and do a thermal scan. We agreed to that to exhaust all possible options and let them fix this problem that we paid them tons of money for. I thought they would be coming out with a commercial grade thermal scanner but no it was just a plug that goes into an iPhone! To me that is not very accurate and not very thorough in my opinion! We let them do the scan and then waited forever for them to get back with us and finally after we emailed and called they finally said they only seen one spot that supposedly is leaking and they said it was the cupola. That was now something else they have moved onto to blame the reason for all the leaks. Once again this was not addressed at the beginning of the inspection of the roof. Bottom line is they are doing anything and everything to blame everything else other than the job they did and the product they said that was going to seal our leaks. They are now basically just pushing us off and saying there is nothing they can do and not willing to make this right. Every single person that has came out to try and fix all the leaks thats still happening has agreed with us that they need to make this right with us and we deserve money back. They all think its ridiculous on what we are going through. We had two different roof companies come out and look at the roof recently. We wanted their opinions and to see what they thought. Both of them gave a full inspection and both came back with the same outcome. The sealer is obviously not working like ********** guaranteed it would. Both roof companies said we need a new roof to save our building from anymore damages. ********** is basically back peddling now and saying they never guaranteed anything due to the age and condition of the roof. If that was the case we never wouldve agreed on paying so much money for something that MIGHT work. We wouldve went with a new roof. We were never told that the condition of the roof was that bad until now when their product didnt work and they have our money. Everything has led to them trying to point the finger onto everything else but their product. They have wanted to come out to see the leaks when its raining but they want to come instantly when it starts raining. Obviously its not going to start leaking for a while until it leaks through the spray foam. They are just trying to dodge another bullet and not take responsibility for their product not working. We have been very patient through this whole deal for two years now. Enough is enough and we deserve our money back. We paid over $14,000 for our roof to still be leaking and to still be in the same spot we were two years ago. We cant keep letting our shop get damaged and we unfortunately have to put a new roof on to save it. What did we pay ********** that much money for? Absolutely nothing. They seen a woman that just lost her husband and took advantage of her. They took her money and gave her nothing in return. We have attached pictures and videos of the most recent rain and leaks. As you can see its very bad and even leaking down on the electrical in some spots. Completely unacceptable and dangerous. There shouldnt be a drop of water leaking in our shop for the amount of money we have paid bottom line.
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