[StarStryker11]

(This is a really long story cut short to a long story. Sorry, just need advice)
I recently had a roofer investigate a leak from my living room. As he was checking things out, he noticed a series of problems; The shingles were not repaired properly (They were not in that "zigzag" formation, the seam was in a straight line), they shingled over the bottom part of the boot jack so now water runs under the shingle, he found two small holes (one looks like the repairer dropped his hammer, the other looks like they pulled out a long nail) and some random black tar repair (Sorry, not sure on actual name). Now the wierd thing is, this is on the side that doesnt leak. He also noticed some shingles laying freely on the roof from some recent heavy wind we had.
The valley at the front of the house is leaking, and it looks like the contractor who built the home cut the valley to make an edge instead of a u shape (So the valley looks like > instead of ( .) He identified black mold growing all over the north side of the attic. He also noticed that particle board was used instead of plywood and the particle board is all wet from moisture. When he looked around, he saw a Gable Vent and a Soffit Vent. I have a Ridge Vent as well. He mentioned that this is actually holding in moisture instead of ventilating it.
The home was built in 1996 with a 20 year roof waranty. We bought the house on a foreclosure 1 year ago. He estimated the damages to be $15,000. Entire roof re-done. His suggestion is to go after the seller, insurance and or the inspector. Mold is noticable in one of the pictures that the inspector took, but nothing was said about his findings at which he said it was in good condition. What I need help with is, are all 3 vents holding in moisture? I know I can't get the bank involved since it was a foreclosure, but can I go back on the inspector? Would insurance possibly cover this? Has anyone experienced this before?
(Thank you for the help and sorry this is so long)

 

[ddawg16]

Roofmaster will hopefully be along shortly.....or one of the other experts....

In the meantime....pictures help a lot....

I think for the most part I think you can pretty much toss out any thoughts of a warranty claim....the shingle manuf will warranty any bad shingles...but not an improper installation.

As for price....unless the place is huge....$15K sounds really high.....

By now I'm sure your getting another quote or two...right?

 

[StarStryker11]

Roofmaster will hopefully be along shortly.....or one of the other experts....

In the meantime....pictures help a lot....

I think for the most part I think you can pretty much toss out any thoughts of a warranty claim....the shingle manuf will warranty any bad shingles...but not an improper installation.

As for price....unless the place is huge....$15K sounds really high.....

By now I'm sure your getting another quote or two...right?

Yes, I have a guy coming out on friday to see what he thinks. Whats your opinion on have 3 types of ventilation systems in the attic? Should I cover one up or is it fine the way it is?

 

[joecaption]

Reality sucks.
I see no way the insurace company is going to do anything.
They would only step in if a storm did damage or something like a tree fell through it. Lousy workmanship would not be covered.
Good luck trying to sue the inspector, I would not blame you for doing so but I've never once seen it work out. Who hire the inspector? If it was the bank I'd be in there raising cane about it. Hopfully at least he would never get used again and do it to someone else.
Did this "inspector" even get up on the roof to look at it or did he do a drive by?

 

[StarStryker11]

Reality sucks.
I see no way the insurace company is going to do anything.
They would only step in if a storm did damage or something like a tree fell through it. Lousy workmanship would not be covered.
Good luck trying to sue the inspector, I would not blame you for doing so but I've never once seen it work out. Who hire the inspector? If it was the bank I'd be in there raising cane about it. Hopfully at least he would never get used again and do it to someone else.
Did this "inspector" even get up on the roof to look at it or did he do a drive by?

The inspector was actually hired by us as a recommendation from the REALTOR.... I know, I know. I think I might have been scammed into a sale. From what I understand, the inspector did go on the roof. I was just getting to the house he was coming down the ladder... My wife was present through the inspection, but she is a trusting person when it comes to thinking people will do their job. I will post the clear pictures I have when I find my cable for my camera.

 

[joecaption]

I've never once seen a house not past inspection when there involved with the realitor.

 

[ddawg16]

Yes, I have a guy coming out on friday to see what he thinks. Whats your opinion on have 3 types of ventilation systems in the attic? Should I cover one up or is it fine the way it is?

This one of the areas that we really need pictures in order to give you a reasonable answer.

As for sueing.....you can sue anyone....but, chances are the inspector has that 'get out of jail' clause in his contract so you can toss any chances with him out the window.

Seller? You might be able to go after him if you can prove that he had knowldege of the issues when he sold you the house and didn't disclose it.....but a lot of that depends on the type of forclosure......this where you have to go through all of your loan docs. If your like most of us, you sign without reading....

 

[ddawg16]

Have you been in the house less than a year and did the loan include new home insurance for the 1st year?

 

[joecaption]

We have no pictures yet but your right in most cases you only needed the ridge vents, by having the other vents all there doing is sucing in supply air for the make up air for the ridge vents and not drawing any air from the soffits.
Which will leave the moist air in the attic to rot out the sheathing.

 

[StarStryker11]

Have you been in the house less than a year and did the loan include new home insurance for the 1st year?

1 Year and 1 month...

 

[Roofmaster417]

With it being a foreclosure the insurance company won't be able to do anything UNLESS ;

1.The home was properly insured with any and all payments up to date by the previous owner.

2.Any past insurance claims are closed and ALL repairs on the insurance scope were repaired as required by the insurer by the previous owner.

3.If the home contains legitimate verifiable storm damage that happened PRIOR to the foreclosure.

But here is the kicker and the part that is really sad.If that roof was not put on correct to manufacture specifications or according to local building codes and restrictions the insurance company can and will walk away from it legally.They are responsible as part of their agreement within the policy to provide coverage for the property in the event of storm damage.The homeowner is responsible for finding a contractor who is competent enough to make the repairs.

Also its very sad but if your interior is damaged from a faulty roof installation then good luck filing a claim.You might get a sympathetic adjuster to work some magic but his bottle of potion will be small.

If the storm damage happened no more than a year from the time you signed your deed then as long as the previous customer was in good standing with the insurer with payments and completed claims then yes you can pursue it.

Something else you might do is find out if by some chance they (previous owner) filed a claim but did no repairs knowing the home was in foreclosure you might contact the Department of insurance in your state.But the previous owners obviously had problems financially for what ever reason which,no It does not make them bad people,,,just good luck trying to get blood out of a turnip.(Never understood that)

And a lot of foreclosed homes are sold "As is" they are usually done that way to eliminate the realtor from any obligations involving warranties,code violations etc.