[Jacke]

Had a new roof installed in Oct 2015 and have had problems ever since- one in particular is the front dormer (attached picture). Looks to me that it was not finished correctly. All other houses that have siding have a long strip of something where the bottom of the dormer wall meets the roof. Am I correct? Can I ask the contractor to put this on? What is it called?

Also have a major leak in hallway ceiling which started the 1st rainy day after the roof installation, have a large piece of soffit missing, have had to pay for squirrel extractions, outside sensor light which was installed under the gutter (close to the roof) now does not work, and so on and so on... Contractor says the soffit was not a result of roofing and the leak is not from the roof and he is not responsible for the ceiling repair. In Jan., he showed me a hole in a cheek wall above where the leak is occurring. In Dec., my brother-in-law and I were looking in the same area to detemine where the leak may be coming from and this hole was not there then. Albeit it could have been made by squirrels between Dec - Jan. Roofer said he will doe me the favor of putting a patch of white (house is green) siding on the hole of the cheek wall of the dormer. I suggested removing the siding, installing ice-water shield and replacing siding. He did agree to this, for a cost, but suggested using asphault shingles instead of siding as a replacement - ugh. I just don't know what to do, where to go for advice or anything.

I'm at my wits end and saying "Uncle" to everything but would like to know if I have the right to ask that the siding on the dormer in the attached picture be finished with whatever it should be finished with - am concerned that squirrels can get underneath the siding there. Thanks so much to anyone who has any advise - appreciate it.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

its called step flashing.....you need to get someone on the roof with a garden hose and run water over the roof till you see anything leaking in the attic, once you are sure its a roof leak, then you can tell the roofing contractor and show him...you can also contact the licensing agency that gives out home improvement licenses and ask what recourse you have once you established it truly is the roofers fault..you cant expect a roofer or any contractor to fix every problem if its not in the contract or discussed later, many times other issues come up on opening a roof and need additional $$ to fix...

 

[Gymschu]

" I suggested removing the siding, installing ice-water shield and replacing siding. He did agree to this, for a cost, but suggested using asphault shingles instead of siding as a replacement - ugh. I just don't know what to do, where to go for advice or anything."

Any, and I mean ANY roofer that would suggest using SHINGLES to replace siding is a hack in my opinion. I hope you have a WRITTEN contract that spells out everything he was supposed to do. If the written contract had no mention of installing/replacing step flashing, well, he can wiggle off the hook of responsibility. Personally, I think out of the goodness of his heart and to take care of a customer, he would fix all those problems, but, we know that's not going to happen.

 

[Windows on Wash]

+1

That doesn't look like the work of a professional.

 

[Jacke]

Thanks so much. Looked at contract which mentions somethings but not "step-flashing" specifically. But thanks for the advise - appreciate it. PS-actually got this contractor and addition job - my neighbors - before I knew he would be unresponsive to issues.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

your neighbors are gona love you for that....:vs_mad:

 

[Jacke]

Agree

Supposed to be an honest contractor friend of a friend of mine. He is a very nice person - just realizing that he doesn't stand behind his work.

 

[PatChap]

The problem stems from the aluminum siding, to replace the flashing under is not easily accomplished. It would get destroyed in the process.
He should have offered to install new siding and flashing as part of the project, but there definitly would have been a cost involved.

Best course of action at this point would be to remove the aluminum and whatevers under it, down to the bare wall. Install all new flashings for the roof and windows, install new weather barrier and new siding to your taste.
You may not want your current contractor to do it.

 

[Jacke]

Ugh - not like I didn't do due diligence on the contractor. Went on line and had a list of aoubt 20 questions which the contractor very nicely and agreeably answered. But, not being a roof expert myself...

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

Supposed to be an honest contractor friend of a friend of mine. He is a very nice person - just realizing that he doesn't stand behind his work.

unfortunately, when money enters the picture, many friends are not really friends or nice...

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

was it a complete rip off of the old roof? or he went over the old shingles. there should have been step flashing with the old roof and could have been used over, the siding looks mangles by the roof line...did you have a leak in that spot with the old roof?

 

[Jacke]

Thank you-no attic in this area - it's above a hallway on the back of the house. Also, not expecting the contractor to fix every problem. Just that which is created by faulty roof installation - which, to me, is evident by a leak which starts the first rainy day after the installation. Although I have no proof that it's the roof, would think that common sence would prevail. Am planning on paying some one to cut an opening in the ceiling from where the leak is coming and determine where the leak is coming from via water signs on the wood (saw this on YouTube). Then will take it from there. Thanks for all your good advise - appreciate it for sure

 

[PatChap]

Where does the leak show up? Around the corner of the dormer would be a pretty common spot.

 

[joecaption]

Contract read "replace flashing as needed" or "replace all flashing"
Big differance.
What type siding is that? Aluminum or vinyl?
First thing I see is the siding was installed wrong on that side wall and should all come off and be redone.
Installed to close to the siding and there's no J molding at the bottom of it to keep it locked in.
Looks like your so called roofer just just pried out the siding and jammed the shingles under it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dor...r lead flashing details&imgrc=guxJ4urDRT5l8M:

 

[Jacke]

So would have paid for all to have been done correctly. What you suggested sounds like very good advise. I will ask the contractor to do this. Thanks again.

 

[Jacke]

funny you say that - that is exaclty what another person just said to me - when business is involved, freinds are not friends but business owners. Another lesson learned.

 

[Jacke]

it was a complete rip off of the old roof. This dormer is over a front porch - have never noticed a leak there in the past 10 years that I've owned the house. (late parents owned it before and they never mentioned any leaks there).

 

[Jacke]

The picture of the dormer that I posted is in the front of the house and not where the leak is. I posted that to ask about the "step-flashing" not being put on. The actual leak is in the back of the house - in the back hallway where there is another dormer - which is right above the hallway ceiling which is where the leak is. I didn't post a picture of that because it seems like I have to figure that one out myself - somehow. Not sure if I can post another picture? Might have to post another issue to attach another picture. But thanks.

 

[Jacke]

Wow

Good heavens. The contract reads "strip entire roof on house. Replace any rotted sheathing and. Use ice and water shield 6 feet up on edges ove gutters. use felt as base. Install 8 inch aluminum drip edge. Re-flash and cement where needed. Supply and install landmark lifetime self sealing architechural roofing shingles. Debris removal, dumpster and permit included"

Hmmm - now I do see something about flashing. Is that what I should ask him to do on the bottom of the siding that meets the roof shingles? Ask to put flashing there??? Sorry for my ingrnorance.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

at this point I would get the roofer to show you where the leak is coming from and prove it, if its not his work, then go from there, but no leak before and new leak now....looks like its him, but let him prove its not his work..next step is if he doesnt do that, get a 3rd party to look at it and see what they come up as cause of leak..then its court time if the leak was caused by original roofer...