ComplaintsforGardner Roofing, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  07/31/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  09.26.23 called Gardner regarding water streaking on inside walls. ***** inspected roof, suggested full roof replacement, including sheeting, as needed. Estimate:$7480.00. 10.20.23 Roof replaced by Gardner Roofing, applying an ice and water barrier over entire surface of roof. $7480.00 paid in full. After roof completion, interior walls with water damage were primed with Oil-base Kilz, 2 coats of latex applied by homeowner. Repeated X2 since 04.24 due to reappearing water staining. Spring 2024 water streaking reoccurred. Additional damage noted, e.g. water in light wall switch plates and ceiling lights, drywall puckering due to water accumulation, streaking in new areas of the house, and additional ceiling staining. 06.26.24, calledGardner, spoke with *****, regarding concerns. ***** stated a ridge vent might be helpful since vents had not been installed during the initial roofing in 10.23. 06.27.24 Gardner installed ridge vent and replaced saturated sheeting. Per ***** this sheeting had been replaced in October 2023. 07.02.24 called ***** to seek additional interventions for persistent and increased water staining throughout the house. ***** stated he had nothing further to offer. 07.31.24 Home owner insurance adjuster states roof is failing due to improper installation, e.g. sheeting is saturated, soft and wavy, causing shingles to not adhere, allowing water to penetrate the roof/sheeting/interior walls. The shingles around the pipes/stacks on the roof are improperly installed allowing water to seep around the pipes/stacks and down the interior walls of the house. In addition, the flashing is improperly secured for all pipes/stacks. Copious amounts of caulk has been improperly applied. Multiple nails and staples were noted on the shingles. Home owner insurance adjuster states entire roof needs to be replaced, e.g. damaged rafters, sheeting, improved ventilation, new flashing. Photos will be provided in person 08.01.24.

  

  Business response

  08/30/2024

  see attachment

  Gardner Roofing installed a new roof at ***** ** ****** *** in Wakarusa, KS on October 20, 2023. The existing roof at this property had 1 layer of composition shingles, a 2:12 pitch, and 2 roof vents present.

   

  Upon tearing off of the existing roof, it was discovered that there were 7 sheets of 4x8 plywood that were deteriorated and those sheets were replaced during the roofing process. We also installed ice and water shield underlayment over the entire roof surface because the manufacturer requires ice and water shield for a 2:12 pitch roof. We then installed a Tamko Titan architectural shingle and replaced the existing vents. When re­ roofing manufactured homes, ventilation is reinstalled in the same location, as that is how these homes are designed.

   

  On June 26, 2024, six months after the project was completed we were called by *** ****** for some staining that she was seeing on her ceiling. Gardner Roofing then sent out ***** to assess the situation. ***** noted no visible issues with the installation of the roof. However, based on our experience dealing with roofing systems he recommended adding some ridge vent at no cost to *** ******.

   

  When ***** entered the property to observe the staining on the ceiling he noted that the temperature inside the home was extremely hot and the condensation occurring inside her home was not a roofing issue, but instead it was due to condensation forming between the plywood a

  

  Business response

  09/12/2024

  As stated in our previous response, we re-installed the ventilation as it was because this is a modular home. Modular homes are not built or designed in the same manner as stick framed or trussed roof houses. We stopped changing ventilation in modular homes to be more traditional because there have been cases where this has been done and it caused improper attic flow and we had to revert back to the initial ventilation. When we roof any modular we re-install ventilation exactly how it was, as that is usually how these homes are designed and built. 

  We re-installed the 2 vents on the addition because it was known that area was an addition and would have a traditional attic space. 

  We are a roofing contractor and do not do mold inspections, therefore none of these areas where checked for mold, nor would we know what black mold looks like. Mold and mildew can look like one another, but we are not in that line of work. We were hired to re-roof the house. 

  This roof was properly installed with an ice and water shield underlayment due to the low pitch. The roof itself was not leaking. We were called due to staining on the ceiling and we went to the house to perform an on-site inspection. Once it was ruled out that the roof was leaking, the only other reason this would be happening is too much heat in the attic space causing condensation. We then did the only thing that we could help with, at no cost to the homeowner, and cut in and installed continuous ridge vent. The owner's response says that the ridge vent is installed incorrectly and on a pitch not suitable for ridge vent. The ridge vent is installed properly and on low sloping applications it is sealed under to protect against water back up. Installing ridge vent across this roof is superior to the 5-6 vents recommended by a third party in the owner's response. 

  We install new edge metals around the perimeter of every house we roof and this roof was not done any differently. 

  The question that no one is answering is: since the roof is not leaking, why is the staining occurring when the roof has no ventilation and when the roof is fully ventilated. If neither of those options work, then this is a problem completely separate from the roof. How are the attic spaces laid out? How is the insulation installed? Are there proper baffles? Are there soffit vents? Are the soffit vents clear and allowing air in? 

  Customer response

  09/16/2024

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because several local, reputable roofing companies, in addition to a nationwide insurance company claims adjuster, have indicated that the following items were improperly completed by Gardner Roofing, resulting in recurring issues within the home:

  Venting: home was not properly vented when Gardner Roofing installed the new roof.  US Federal Housing Authority recommends a minimum of 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space.  Initially, there weren't any vents/ridge vents placed on the original part of the home.  The ridge vent added later by Gardner Roofing only increased the ventilation issues within the home.  Beginning October 2023, when Gardner Roofing installed the new roof, through June 2024 there was zero air exchange taking place in the roof of the home because Gardner Roofing did not vent the roof with low profile roof vents and/or a ridge vent. As a result, this caused increased damage within the home from condensation and encouraged mold growth. 

  Ridge Vent: improper product for roof pitch; improperly installed causing zero air exchange to take place from the ridge vent.  In a previous communication received from Gardner Roofing a recommendation was made to remove the ridge vent.  This is the same ridge vent Gardner Roofing installed in June 2024. 

  Drip Edge: several local, reputable roofing companies have inspected the roof and stated there is not a drip edge on the roof completed by Gardner Roofing.  It is obvious to the homeonwer and other roofing companies who have provided quotes to re-roof the home, that a drip edge is not present on the roof. 

  HVAC: Gardner Roofing insists the problems are caused by the HVAC system of the home not working properly. As stated in my previous letter, a local, reputable HVAC company has inspected the entire HVAC system and cleared it of any and all issues.  They have commented the issues within the home are the result of improper roofing. 

  Finally, we trusted Gardner Roofing to complete the job correctly.  We feel this trust has been betrayed.  Gardner Roofing should refund the homeowner in the amount of $7,480.00.  

  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******

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