Unfortunately leaks do happen. I can count on one hand the amount of times that a leak has happened to me and my work. I accept that the carport leaked in two locations, due to a perimeter edge detail. The attempted detail failed and caused ingress. The initial attempt was done with aesthetics being the #1 priority. After failure, we returned and fixed the detail according to manufacturer’s suggested work process. It is not sloppy. We are talking about a 2” x 2” area of perimeter roof detail that occurs no more than 6 times on the entire carport. No rot, no damage and no charges were incurred through this process. The warranty is still full and valid.
Approximately 8 months later I was contacted again by the home owner to help him solve a troubling leak on his 5 year old shingled steep roof. He told me he was no longer talking to the original installer as he was not impressed with his work or business practices. The home owner was upfront and honest when he noted that he was told by the original shingler that the proper way to apply shingles on his house included installing a layer of plywood to cover the existing shiplap wood deck. This, of course, adds more labour and materials to the cost. The home owner was given two prices, for each scope of work, and he chose the cheaper option. He now realizes the mistake he made as nails are popping, and will continue to pop, through the shingles in several places. I visited his steep slope house roof, did some minor caulking and did not charge him for the repair efforts. I was not confident I had found the issue. This service was done, for no charge, as a form of repayment for any perceived inconveniences associated with the leak in his carport. Unfortunately the troubling house leak continued. The homeowner asked me to return stating expectations of charges for the next visit. He had removed some drywall and found the drip location so we had a much more specific area to inspect. The issue, a popped nail, was found and repaired.
2 standards exist in the roofing industry. We cannot absolutely guarantee to always find a leak on an aged roof on the first visit. It’s not always obvious or easy to find so we have to charge for return visits if and when we are not successful on the first visit. The 2nd standard is that minimum charge service calls exist in the roofing industry. Crucial Roof Services Ltd has a minimum charge service call rate of $250. I was not going to enforce that policy in this case even though I had a co-worker with me and was responsible for his wages as well. I asked for $100. I was told he had $80 and asked if I would I accept it. I accepted it. I assumed this home owner was a satisfied return customer, as he had never complained to me through any of our previous interactions, and I was treating him as I would have liked to be treated myself. The caulking I applied to the wet shingle did not suffice. The leak continued. I returned again, on a dry day, and fixed the issue once and for all asking no further payment then the $80 I previously agreed upon. I was contacted a week or so later saying the troubling leak indeed has been fixed but he wanted me to return to repair the broken fascia flashing that he assumed that I had caused.
With regards to the house and its damaged fascia; the issue with the fascia is that it has dropped from its initial installation level in one location. It is not broken or damaged. It is a case of poor installation. I assume it was installed by the original roofer whom the home owner is no longer in contact with. I regret that I noticed the flagging flashing, when climbing up on the roof, and did not alert the homeowner immediately. It was not a major deficiency...and more so it was not my deficiency nor was it the deficiency that was causing the troubling leak.
It must be noted that this review was not posted by the home owner when the carport leaked. It was not posted when shingle repairs were completed. It was only posted after I told him I didn’t damage the fascia and that I was not going to return again, for free again, to repair poor workmanship from a previous contractor. I feel this review was posted out of spite as this frugal home owner was unable to continue receiving his discounted and sometimes free, workers and their services.
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Reply created 28 Feb 2013
