Soggy Roof
#1
We purchased a 23 year old home in late June. All was well. Well, going through a rainy wet season, we went into the the attic crawlspace of our contemporary saltbox and found that all of the roofing plywood is soaked!!!! We have receipts from the previous owners saying that the roof was recently reshingled with IKO 3 tab shingles. So I phoned the previous homeowner and of course said there was no leaking or seepage during their tenure in the home in the past 5 years. They only replaced the shingles after a tree branch had severed the roof, and 'those' plywood sheaths were replaced...the rest just shingled with new shingles.
Now, I call the roofer who did the job 2 years ago, and fed me a line saying that he only carries a 1 year warranty on his 'job' however there is a 30 year warranty on the shingles. So in conversation, I asked what kind of moisture barrier was installed beneath the shingles and he said 'none...the new shingles he applied didn't 'need' a moisture barrier. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Now, I'm trying to locate the stupid 'disclosure' of what the previous owners said about whether it said 'new roof' or 'new shingles'.
Now we have alot of damage starting to occur - vaulted ceiling paint is blistering, and of course, the visible signs of the crawlspace being inundated with moisture and mildew/mold!!
WHO is liable? The inspector noted no finding of leaks or seepage when he inspected, however, looking, he seemed to cover himself well to avoid litigation by not thoroughly reporting his findings.
Are we screwed? Who is responsible to make this right financially?
Now, I call the roofer who did the job 2 years ago, and fed me a line saying that he only carries a 1 year warranty on his 'job' however there is a 30 year warranty on the shingles. So in conversation, I asked what kind of moisture barrier was installed beneath the shingles and he said 'none...the new shingles he applied didn't 'need' a moisture barrier. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Now, I'm trying to locate the stupid 'disclosure' of what the previous owners said about whether it said 'new roof' or 'new shingles'.
Now we have alot of damage starting to occur - vaulted ceiling paint is blistering, and of course, the visible signs of the crawlspace being inundated with moisture and mildew/mold!!
WHO is liable? The inspector noted no finding of leaks or seepage when he inspected, however, looking, he seemed to cover himself well to avoid litigation by not thoroughly reporting his findings.
Are we screwed? Who is responsible to make this right financially?
#2
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To make a long story short, your screwed. I would get a roofer in there immediately before more damage occurs. You can always follow this up later. but if you hold off in repairing it, then you are liable for the damage because you did not fix it. Yes, most roofers only give a 1 year warranty if any. I give a 4 year warranty. I always put down 30# felt under my shingles. It may not be your whole roof. Only an area, but you won't know this until shingles come off. Good Luck
#3
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This is an after thought. The previous owners probably did not know about the roof. If they had known it would have shown up on the Inspection report and when you inspected the home, you would have noticed it also. Remember, the Inspector worked for you and your bank.