ComplaintsforAllen Roofing Construction and Remodel, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  02/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ********************** Roofing installed a new roof located at ****************************************************** on or about Oct. 31, 2013. Work was to include installation of Drip Edge Flashing (R905.2.8.5) required by code. This was noted on the estimate provided Sept. 13, 2013. January 2023 noticed water damage/cracking to the soffit area above garage doors. We contacted **** ********************** of ********************** Roofing. We met on site January 18, 2023. He blamed it on the gutters not being cleaned often enough. I explained to him I clean the gutters/downspouts on a regular basis, with extra cleaning after heavy storm/rain/wind events. Our prior home was surrounded by evergreen trees. I am aware additional cleaning/maintenance is required. He stated ******************** (prior owner) was fanatical about cleaning his gutters and he did a better job than I did. I am not sure how he was aware of how ******************** (or I) maintained/cleaned the gutters(?). I have worked as a roofer and owned a chimney sweep business for almost 40 years. I am aware of the need for regular roof/gutter maintenance. The on site meeting did not resolve the issue. In further email correspondence Mr. ********************** continued to "blame" the issue on lack of maintenance of the gutters/maintenance of the downspouts. The issue is the Code Violation of not installing the required drip edge flashing to prevent the damage. The drip edge was not installed anywhere around the roof line edge. We have since had the damage professionally repaired above the garage ($3,493.13). I have installed the code required drip edge flashing $180.74. We are concerned about hidden damage that *** have occurred since installation of this roof by ********************** Roofing in Oct. ********************************* the future. We are requesting reimbursement of the money we have had to pay thus far to correct the roof installation that was not done by code or per the provided estimate.

  

  Business response

  03/05/2024

  2-19-24.
  I arrived at ************** address at the scheduled time previously arranged and we had very pleasant back and forth conversation.  He showed me the damage that he had to the roof sheeting, around the edge of his roof at the eave area overhanging the gutters,specifically on the garage. I got on the roof and inspected the situation,noticing that the overhang of the roof shingles was consistently about an inch past the fascia board hanging over the gutters.  It was raining rather hard and I could see that the rain water was running over the shingles and into the gutters.  The water was not curling around under and running back to the sheeting, so there was no reason to believe the damage to the edge of the sheeting was caused from incorrect installation.
  Allen Roof had installed the roof 9-1/2 years prior for *******************, the previous home owner, not *****.  ******************** and I had a very good relationship and he was very happy with his new roof.  At one time he told me that because of the numerous cedar trees around his house, which shed debris year round, he had to clean his gutters once a month because they would fill up with debris so quickly.
  Because it was raining so steady at the time I inspected the roof with **************, and I was able to verify there was no problem with the installation I explained to him how ******************** had maintained the roof and performed maintenance on the gutters monthly so that they didnt clog up and flow over, soaking the sheeting, which would result in their deterioration and rotting.  That is why for the 5-1/2 years after ******************** had the roof replaced by Allen Roofing there was no problem with rotting at the roof edge.  If there was a problem, the damage would have started immediately and manifest itself.  However, the problem did begin some time after ************** purchased the house and although he claims he performed proper maintenance it appears he did not do it often enough to keep his gutters from over flowing. 
  Furthermore, I notice that ************** had drain screens in his gutters covering the openings that allows the water to drain from the gutters through the downspouts.  The screens work very well keeping the debris out of the down spout so that they do not get clogged, however, all the debris quickly clogs up around the screen and blocks the water from being able to drain properly, once again resulting in the gutters filling up and overflowing.
  After I finished explaining to ************** about what I believed the problem was he insisted that it could not be the problem and he cleans his gutters all the time. 
  Looking for a reasonable resolution I said I could come back at a later date when it wasnt raining and I could get on the roof with a water hose and we could soak several areas and see if we could get the water to curl around and get the sheeting wet.  If that were to happen then it would be obvious there was an issue with the roof installation and if the sheeting did not get wet then it would appear the roof had been installed correctly and the issue would not be caused by improper installation.
  ************** did not agree with this idea and said that doesnt work for me.  I did not understand this because I had just offered to do a test and see if the installation was the cause of the issue, we would know right away.
  I said Well it looks like we have reached an impasse, and I picked up my Ladder to leave and he called me a few choice words.
  Allen Roofing had an agreement and contract with *******************, not **************.
  ************** has a copy of Allen Roofings warranty given to ******************** which clearly states that the warranty is not transferable.
  On October 31, 2023 after 33 successful years in business I retired and shut my business down.
  **** Allen

  Customer response

  03/10/2024

   
  Complaint: 21316546
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Yes, Mr. ********************** did arrive at the ************* scheduled. I offered a hand shake.

  I showed him the water damaged areas and he proceeded to climb on the roof. I stayed on the ground mostly in the garage due to the weather. I did not observe Mr. **********************'s inspection.

  Again, Mr. ********************** blamed the damage on lack of gutter maintenance and claimed the damage started after we moved in. I am not sure how he knew how/when the damage started or my gutter maintenance schedule. The drain screens were installed in the gutters before we bought the home. Yes, I am aware they do collect debris. The more reason I maintain the gutters on a regular schedule; especially after a wind/storm event.

  I was not interested in Mr. **********************  returning or doing a "water hose test". The damaged roof sheeting caused by time and Mother Nature was the test. Heavy rain and wind acts differently than a "water hose test". Even the direction and speed of the wind can cause rain running off the roof edge to defy gravity and run "up" under the roof shingles and reach the roof sheeting since there was no drip edge flashing installed.

  Mr. ********************** seems to think the gutters fill up and overflow on a regular basis looking at the damage we have. That has not happened since we have lived here.

  I showed Mr. ********************** the roof area above a bay window that showed damage consistent with the damage above the garage. There are no gutters above these windows. At that point Mr. ********************** proceeded to return to his truck with his ladder.  I did call him a 2 word name as he ignored my request for an answer to the damage in this area.  I did apologize.

  We requested a copy of the contract signed by ********************** Roofing and ********************. He sent us an unsigned generic company contract. Contract or not, ********************** Roofing failed to install all flashing that was required by code R905.2.8.5 as of 2012. This flashing installation was listed on the original proposal dated Sept. 23, 2013.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩