I hired a roofer to tear off my roof and I assumed he was going to replace the paper. I told him I wanted it stripped so that the decking could be inspected. When I stopped by to see how the decking looked I noticed he had reused the old paper, he said he only replaces it if it is bad, and none was bad,it crumbles into small pieces if you crush it The roof was 2 thirds done by the time I noticed, Anyway any opinions?
I say very bad.
AZCRAIG
This is very bad news. Moral of Story: (1) never be anywhere but *on* the roof when roofers are working. I've never seen a trade so rife with slipshod practices. I know this advice is too late for this job, but you can apply it in the future. (2) Never assume anything, especially verbal "indications" of intent to do things. (3) Get written contracts, so you have recourse if you find faults.
I would not pay the guy. Fire him.
Sure. Look at your contract. If it says new felt, then you get new felt. If not then you get a lesson in contracts.
Jeff
DO NOT PAY THE SOB AND CALL THE CITY. MY last SOB had 20+ suits against him and lost all, but I got zero
Get a camera, document everything, you will go to court over this. get alot of PHOTOS, PHOTOS . Do not pay the SOB
It may not specifically say new felt, but it may promise some standard of workmanship that you could argue has been violated -- but that's the problem, you *might* prevail if you spend the time and money to argue a case. Having the specifications spelled out clearly in advance takes a little more time and expertise up front, but saves far more in the end.
Shouldn't need to be specified to win this one. New felt on a re-roof is expected workmanship. I don't understand any contractor not useing it as it is a very minor cost for the job. I wonder what other things he cut corners on? 20 yr vs 30 or 40 as requested??
Harry K
You haven't paid him yet, I hope. Fire him. Let him eat the cost of the dumpster, shingles, etc. that he's already paid for.
Even if you do this, you'll end up in court eventually, because he will try to put a mechanic's lein against your house.
Bob
Thanks for your comments, He gave me a proposal, to tear off old roofing, no mention of felt. We never signed the proposal and I have paid no money, Who has the legal hammer?
There is little chance you can win this one. A roofer that doesn't put new felt down is not likely to have assets that you could attach to get your judgment paid so you will never get a penny if you win a lawsuit and there is some chance that he will get a lien on your house if you do not pay him - at least for most of the amount of the improvement value. You can probably attribute your problem to your own lack of good judgment in using the "low bidder" process. You are between a rock and a hard place. I'd work it out if at all possible.
Not necessarily. There is a continuing discussion over whether felt is necessary or not. I think it is, but there are many who specify no felt under shingles. It is not a standard industry practice.
Required by code and many shingle manufacturers.
Did his proposal say tear off and replace old shingles or old roof. Shingles would mean you are screwed but arguably if it says roof that would include shingles, flashing and felt. You could go to HD and look thru their do it yourself books there and find some that define roofing job as including shingles, flashing and felt. Then when he sues you for payment you have his unsigned proposal as evidence of what was discussed plus the books you bought which describe the common terms.
now is the time to pull your head out of your ass. stop getting involved with roofers without a contract, stop asking newsgroup members for their guesses, and call a lawyer.
randy
Doesn't it have a hundred zillion holes from the shingles?
AFAIK, it is the tar paper (felt) that provides the water proofing, the shingles are there to provide durability.
That is why one can proceed with the rest of the construction, once the framing and sheathing has been covered with tar paper. Which have been replaced by newer materials like Tyvek and shingle underliner.
Maybe it is time to consult a lawyer? Followed by a consult to a licensed, bonded, insured roofer?
IANAL but here goes, offer something for the tear off that was completed, and let him eat the shingles for a job effed up. Putting this into nice words, is what the lawyer is for.
Your gonna have to pay to have it re-roofed right.
On Tue, 09 Nov 2004 15:45:03 -0600, John Hines scribbled this interesting note:
If water penetrates the shingles, the felt rots in no time. Felt is good for drying in a job, and may even last weeks, or months, depending on the quality of the job, but the shingles are what waterproof the house, not the felt.
-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)
Shingles are the primary waterproofing..... felt lapped properly is your secondary defense against water.
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