Leak in shingle roof around chimney

Posted by Joe on June 5, 2007, 1:49 pm

I got about 1.75" of rain the other night and a long slow leak in my
roof finally made it through the sealing. I bought this house last
year and I was left the name of the roofer who replaced the shingle
roof 5 years ago. I called him up and he told me that it's not his
flashing that the water is most certainly coming through the actual
brick of the chimney and that I should call a mason contractor to fix
the chimney. Is it customary for a roofer to not even come by to check
to make sure his flashing was done correctly? There is also a dormer
right next to the chimney so the chances that it's the flashing should
be even greater correct? Is there a way to tell which it is? Should I
get an estimate from a mason or should I insist that the roofer come
and check it or should I call a different roofer to check the original
roofer's work?

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on June 5, 2007, 1:55 pm

> I got about 1.75" of rain the other night and a long slow leak in my
> roof finally made it through the sealing. I bought this house last
> year and I was left the name of the roofer who replaced the shingle
> roof 5 years ago. I called him up and he told me that it's not his
> flashing that the water is most certainly coming through the actual
> brick of the chimney and that I should call a mason contractor to fix
> the chimney. Is it customary for a roofer to not even come by to check
> to make sure his flashing was done correctly? There is also a dormer
> right next to the chimney so the chances that it's the flashing should
> be even greater correct? Is there a way to tell which it is? Should I
> get an estimate from a mason or should I insist that the roofer come
> and check it or should I call a different roofer to check the original
> roofer's work?

i would get a different roofer to look at it, unless ther was a
transferable warranty from the original roofer to you.

basically your screwed, sorry

Posted by ransley on June 5, 2007, 2:28 pm

> > I got about 1.75" of rain the other night and a long slow leak in my
> > roof finally made it through the sealing. I bought this house last
> > year and I was left the name of the roofer who replaced the shingle
> > roof 5 years ago. I called him up and he told me that it's not his
> > flashing that the water is most certainly coming through the actual
> > brick of the chimney and that I should call a mason contractor to fix
> > the chimney. Is it customary for a roofer to not even come by to check
> > to make sure his flashing was done correctly? There is also a dormer
> > right next to the chimney so the chances that it's the flashing should
> > be even greater correct? Is there a way to tell which it is? Should I
> > get an estimate from a mason or should I insist that the roofer come
> > and check it or should I call a different roofer to check the original
> > roofer's work?

> i would get a different roofer to look at it, unless ther was a
> transferable warranty from the original roofer to you.
> basically your screwed, sorry

most likely bad flashing a bad roofer , a sign is he wont come out

Posted by RicodJour on June 5, 2007, 2:48 pm

Should he come by? Yes, but there's really no way to force the roofer
to come by. Playing the devil's advocate, how long do you feel a
roofer should warranty their work? Generally there's a one year
warranty. You also have to remember that the first time the roofer is
hearing from you you're complaining about his work and you haven't
given him any money. Strictly speaking there is no business
relationship or responsibility for him to have to deal with you,
unless you could prove gross negligence, and even them, I'm not sure
what your state's laws are in this respect.

Not sure where you are, but here in NY we had a crap load of rain and
there were a number of things that leaked that normally don't. I
don't know what the configuration of your dormer/chimney/roof is, but
I've seen some designs that were doomed from the start. Situations
that only leak in extreme storms can be difficult to track down. It
is also possible that the roofer is right about the chimney, so I'd
probably try not to burn any bridges until you know exactly what's
going on.

Since the original roofer seems resistant, it's probably best to
locate a different recommended roofer. If it does turn out to be the
original roofer's negligence, you'll have to see what remedies your
state allows.

R

Posted by frank.logullo on June 5, 2007, 3:23 pm

Most likely bad flashing. There may be a 20-30 year warranty on the
shingles but flashing may not be covered.
Myself, when I was younger, I'd be on the roof looking at chimney and around
it; maybe, even repair with roofing cement.
You did not say how old your house is. Mine is 33 years and in fact I have
a chimney guy coming out this week to cap off one of my fireplaces and seal
the cement on the top of the chimney which is degrading.

When I moved in the house 33 years ago, the roof was leaking and builder
told me to go in attic during rain to see where water was getting in. When
I looked along side of chimney, I could see daylight. He fixed that one but
I had to sue him for other stuff ;)
Frank

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