ComplaintsforThe Durable Slate Co.

• Initial Complaint

  03/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I hired The Durable Slate Company for a complete replacement of a slate roof and box gutter liners. The first day the crew came out I inquired about their plan of action. I was told that they were not going to start on the gutter until all the roof slates except the first 2 rows were installed. It was not explained at this time how the first 2 rows were going to be installed after all the others. This explanation came on 2/20/2023. Durable Slate was planning on driving a nail between the gap in the row above directly through the center of the slate shingle width. This method is not allowed by Ohio Administrative Code 905.6. I emailed them with my concerns the following day on 2/21/2023 (email attached to this complaint). On 2/28/2023 I had a phone conversation with a regional manager, Carl T*******, and was told that they fully intend to proceed with this method in spite of my objection. As of today, 3/7/2023 the are using this method to install the first 2 rows above the gutter. I desire, and Ohio statutes compels the installation be in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code and industry standards of practice. Driving nails in the gap of the above row into the center of the shingle width is not acceptable. I desire they install the roof according to these standards.

  

  Business response

  03/17/2023

  This method follows Ohio Code, National Slate Association (NSA) specifications, Slate Roofing Contractors Association (SRCA) specifications, as well as the manufacturer's specifications (New England Slate).  Mr. ***** called the NSA ###-###-#### as well as New England Slate ###-###-####, and he was informed as such by both parties.

  Customer response

  03/17/2023

  Durable Slate wrongfully described my communications with both the National Slate Associate (NSA) and the manufacturer.  To correct the record, my communication with the manufacturer resulted in them asserting that their recommendations are the same as the NSA's.  I received installation information directly from the NSA's website which reconfirmed the issue at hand.  I was never told by anyone at the NSA that what was done on my roof was acceptable.

  Durable Slate intentionally planned to use a method called "nail and bib" which is identified by the NSA as a repair method.  Meaning repairing sections of an existing roof.  This is not intended to be used on a  complete roof replacement.  I surmised my concerns with better information from the NSA in an email to Durable Slate.  This email is attached to this response.  As mentioned in my email to Durable Slate:

   

  Nail and bib was used as a planned method - NSA clearly identifies this as a repair method

  Aluminum flashing was used for the bibs - NSA recommends copper 

  Twisted galvanized nails were used - NSA recommends copper smooth shank nails 

   

  An additional shortcoming in the roof installation is the lack of drip edge installed on the rake edge as required by the NSA (this concern is also listed in the attached email)

  After reviewing in depth the NSA installation guide I am more confident in fact that the roof installation was not according to the NSA.  I am not satisfied with the work as it is not in accordance with the NSA, the manufacturer's recommendation, and the Ohio Code. 

   

  
  Regards,
  
  **** *****

  

  Business response

  04/27/2023

  Carl T******* specifically told Mr. ***** that we were installing the gutter first and then the slate roof.  When we finished the demolition of the box gutter, Mr. ***** opted to use his own carpenter to do the woodwork instead of our carpenters which would delay the project.  We stated to Mr. ***** that we would have to continue the project and not leave his roof open.  We stated that we would install the slate roof first and install the gutter after his carpenter was complete.  This is an acceptable manner in which to perform this work.  2 nails are placed between the slates and flashed. This is acceptable by Ohio Administrative Code 905.6, and it is also acceptable within the SRCA as well as NSA standards.  Mr. ***** has selected parts of the SRCA guidelines without including the entirety.  A slate roof is typically nailed from the bottom up; however, if a box gutter is installed afterwards, it's bibbed.  It's very often installed in this manner according to the SRCA and NSA guidelines.
  
  Therefore, #1 is fully in accordance with the SRCA as well as the NSA and Ohio standards.
  
  #2 - The NSA does not mandate drip edge.  Drip edge is not installed on a traditional eave - please see page 75 in the NSA Standards and Installation manual - Variation 5 - Traditional Eave.  Mr. ***** has a traditional house, and therefore it  should have a traditional eave.

• Initial Complaint

  06/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On April 3, 2022,an OPT-OUT REQUEST for "all mailings" at the following address was submitted online at ****************************************   Your company was informed of the following when the April 3, 2022 OPT-OUT REQUEST was made: -We do not have a clay, slate, or copper roof, and have never had such roofing materials on our home. -We have been receiving multiple mailings throughout each year dating dating back to at least 2012, from The Durable Slate Company. We have never contacted your company for any manner of roofing business. -We have made previous requests for your company to cease such mailings, and have been working with our local Post Office Branch Manager to stop such mailings from occurring. -Our limited mail slot simply cannot accommodate unwarranted and unwanted mail. -We are returning your most recent mailer to you via USPS, and that mailer is marked as "REFUSED". -PLEASE REMOVE OUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS FROM YOUR PROMOTIONAL, MARKETING AND ADVERTISEMENT LISTS, AND CEASE AND DESIST ALL FUTURE MAILINGS UNLESS CONTACTED BY US FOR BUSINESS. Residents ** **** ******* ***** *********** ** ***** have been registered with the DMA Organization since January 2022. Despite the aforementioned, THE DURABLE SLATE COMPANY blatantly disregards our OPT-OUT REQUESTS, and as of today's date, June 1, 2022, we received another Direct Marketing mailing from your company. Please understand that ALL OPT-OUT REQUESTS TO YOU HAVE BEEN MADE IN WRITING, AND SCREENSHOTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN WHEN SAID OPT-OUT REQUESTS HAVE BEEN MADE USING YOUR CONTACT US FORMS, FOR THE SOLE INTENT OF DOCUMENTING EACH OPT-OUT REQUEST. Again, this is a FINAL OPT-OUT REQUEST made to THE DURABLE SLATE COMPANY on June 1, 2022. THE DURABLE SLATE COMPANY is requested to CEASE ALL DIRECT MARKETING MAILINGS to the following address IMMEDIATELY: **** ******* **** *********** ** *****

  

  Business response

  06/02/2022

  The address provided, **** ******* ****** ** *********** ** has been removed from all mailing lists for The Durable Group, which includes The Durable Slate Company and The Durable Restoration Company.

  Customer response

  06/02/2022

  I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
  Regards,
  
  ********** *******

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