UPDATE (Remember my May 3 roof leak?)

5 years ago

The tale of my roof leak, over three months old now, is starting to read like a comedy of errors. Or maybe we passed that point some time ago.

It turns out the guy who put the new roof on two years ago failed (the operative word) to install step flashing around the base of the dormer, and that's what was leaking. The insurance company's field adjuster and the new roofers thought the problem was in the front of the dormer, but fixing that didn't help. The second repair, on the right side of the dormer, did the trick. That leaves the left side of the dormer, which still has to be fixed. I hope the original roofer will take care of this in a responsible fashion. However, I see little chance he'll come up with the $1,300 I paid out of pocket. (The insurance company refused to pay for a problem caused by faulty workmanship.)

So once the leak was fixed, the restoration company was able to start work on the kitchen damage. They were a good choice--skilled and easy to work with. They underestimated the time it would take to complete the job, but that happens. By this time, July was nearly over. Originally they said the work would take three days, but that didn't quite do it. They came back for short bursts of work, leaving when something had to dry overnight, etc. They were doing a good job, and I didn't mind the delay. They hooked up one of the ceiling lights for me, and that was like a miracle after three months with no light in the kitchen.

They were down to the last stretch when my power went out in the middle of one night. They were supposed to come first thing the next morning. That threw the schedule off by about a week. They came back and got a lot done. The new ceiling is painted, and looks great. The wall cabinet they'd taken down is back on the wall. All that remains is to reinstall the ceiling lights, install the new pendant light I bought for over the sink, install some molding, and do some touch-up painting.

But late last week their building burned to the ground.

I feel bad for them, and I can be patient. But everything has been packed away in boxes for weeks, to get it out of their way. Without even a dish drainer, I've been washing dishes and putting them in my broken dishwasher (remember?) to air dry. I've been cooking less than usual, and realized last evening that I have no idea where my wooden spoons are. So I made a stir-fry with a metal spoon. Good thing I don't use non-stick cookware.

I wasn't in the house when they left last time, so I didn't get to ask them anything. I assume the wall cabinet is securely attached to the wall, but until I know that for certain I don't want to start loading it with heavy dinnerware. I don't know if they've finished sanding, or if it would be useless for me to start cleaning up the fine white dust that covers everything. They used a shop vac, but its effectiveness is limited. I don't know when I've been so eager to mop a kitchen floor!

Featured Answer

Elmer J Fudd

5 years ago

How did your overnight power outage delay them for a week?

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Comments (16)

User
5 years ago
Yikes! Their shop burned down. They don't need a shop for what you have left for them to do. There shouldn't be a delay. Molding and nails are available at Home Depot. They should be working to finish their "job". It sounds like things are moving along...at a snails pace...but getting DONE. Whew! Time to order that new dish washer, it could be 6 weeks to get delivery. I appreciate the update....and like knowing your doing ok. ♥
Alisande thanked User
lucillle
5 years ago
It sounds as if there is almost a curse on your house as far as repairs go. I hope the rest of the repairs can be done soon without any incident.
Alisande thanked lucillle
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Thanks for your comments. Yesterday I tried to climb the roof that is at 45 degrees to seal the flashing. But I finally gave it up because it is too difficult to climb it. The shingles have sand. It is very slippery. I will call a roofer to handle it though it is probably not difficulty to fix the problem, sealing it because by further carefully check the top of the furnace pipe in the attic; I did see light through on one side. The water must drop from there. I can fix the problem but I am unable to climb the roof at 45 degrees. Though I will call the roofer, I would like to hear what good ideas you have to climb the roof. If one uses a Harness, he still needs to climb to the top of the roof and nail on it before he can use it, right?
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dedtired
5 years ago
The nightmare that never ends! I cant believe their shop burned down. At least the leak is solved, so in a matter of time, things will improve. You have been awfully patient . I hope the end is just around the corner.
Alisande thanked dedtired
Uptown Gal
5 years ago
Oh wow...."patient" is a gross understatement. I admire your calm. Sure hope they get back

there and finish everything...and everything "right and beautiful". You certainly deserve it.

Hugs
Alisande thanked Uptown Gal
Alisande
Original Author
5 years ago
The newspaper article about the fire said they planned to work from their homes, so I expect I'll hear from them in the coming week. I just called and left a message with the company that's delivering my new propane furnace on Tuesday. I assume they've been planning to bring it into the house through the back door, but because the kitchen workers moved furniture and packed and stacked boxes, that door is inaccessible right now. Oy.
patriciae_gw
5 years ago
Poor guys, they probably lost tools. I hope their insurance works better than yours.

I am so happy to hear your leak is fixed. It is hard to believe someone roofed a house without flashing the valleys. That is beyond dumb.

It always seems to take longer than anyone expected. But you have major progress!!
Alisande thanked patriciae_gw
schoolhouse_gwagain
5 years ago
I feel so bad you are going through all of this! I've been there, done that. OY, is right. As someone mentioned, you have the patience of Job and there is definitely progress.

I was a nervous wreck yesterday and all I did was have a new fridge delivered. Good luck Alisande, keep us posted. We are here for you!
Alisande thanked schoolhouse_gwagain
maddielee
5 years ago
Wow! lots of hassle and expense because of your roofer’s ineptness. Was he licensed?
Alisande thanked maddielee
Alisande
Original Author
5 years ago
How did your overnight power outage delay them for a week?

The power was out most of the day. I know they start work early, so I called them at 7 a.m. to say I had no power. I figured they wouldn't want to come. As for why they didn't just arrive the next day, they have only 8 full-time employees, and I assume they were committed to other jobs.

Was he licensed?

I assume so, but I really don't know. Hiring him was my mistake on several levels.

Schoolhouse, I suspect there's a new fridge in my future too. All my appliances are 18 years old. My fridge's ice maker stopped working a couple of years ago, and now frost and ice is starting to build up on the freezer door. It's like writing on the wall.
Elmer J Fudd
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I'm sorry to say it sounds like they took advantage of your good nature to move off your job to accommodate someone else they may have been delaying.

Contractors always have portable generators, needed for work where and when electricity may not be conveniently available or turned off. At worst, the baloney aside, they should have been back the next day.
Alisande thanked Elmer J Fudd
pudgeder
5 years ago
Alisande, will you take the previous roofer to small claims court? You really shouldn't be out of pocket for this!

I'm sorry you're having to deal with such a fiasco!
jane__ny
5 years ago
Alisande, what a nightmare.

Sounds like the story of my life lately.

You sound like you are holding it together. I suppose you really don't have a choice. We are all at the mercy of contractors and appliance stores.

I think losing use of a kitchen is probably the worse thing that can happen, especially if it drags on too long.

I wish you luck that this dark cloud blows away and some sunshine appears.

Jane
Alisande thanked jane__ny
Kathsgrdn
5 years ago
I'm sorry it's taking everyone so long to do the work you need.
Alisande thanked Kathsgrdn
maire_cate
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
What an endless headache - you deserve a medal for your patience. If your new furnace is coming tomorrow is there another way for them to bring it inside? I'm surprised the renovators blocked one of your exit doors - that seems rather unsafe.

Well this is Monday and a new week and I hope the contractor returns to finish the work.
Alisande
Original Author
5 years ago
Elmer, that's what my son said (about the contractor's generator).

Alisande, will you take the previous roofer to small claims court?

I took a roofer to small claims court about 15 years ago. He was beyond awful, a thief, and even though I knew I'd get no money (he was in jail at the time), and it would cost me $100 or so to file, I was determined to do it, and happy to at least ruin his credit for 5 years. This time is different, and I don't know the answer to that. Yet.

Maire_Cate, the furnace people say they can bring it inside through the front door. Whew! I could actually get out the back door in an emergency, but there's not enough room to bring something large in.

Thanks for the support, everyone! The KT is such a good cheering section.

UPDATE (Remember my May 3 roof leak?)

Elmer J Fudd

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