This is more of a review of a roof installation than that of a roofing contractor. The roofing contractor that installed this roof works in the Greater Cleveland area and has been in business for quite a few years. Obviously, duration and longevity of business do not always equal quality. This existing roof was completely removed and new architectural shingles were installed along with new copper gutters, downspouts and flashings. The new roofing is approximately four years old. Currently, the roof is leaking just below the eyebrow dormer window on the front of the house. The main chimney to the right of that dormer. And the rear flat shed roof dormer.
Cleveland Hts Review front view
Originally this roof had wood shingles that were steamed and bent to fit the curves of the eaves and dormers. a costly and rare installation these days, but still possible if the owner is willing and a qualified contractor can be found with the expertise to install. A closer picture of the front eyebrow dormer. Here we can see the sloppy workmanship of the shingle install and of the copper drip edging. Those are bad, but the main cause of the leak is the front window apron flashing. The copper flashing covers the front and top of the window sill but stops short of the rear sash. The metal is buckled at the rear edge. Any rain water that hits the window will run under this flashing, instead of over, and into the roof deck and attic.
Eyebrow dormer front
Dormer apron flashing
This is a small brick chimney on the rear of the house. The previous chimney flashing fairly well tarred all the way around and needed replacing. The contract for the new roofing job specified that the existing flashings would be replaced with new copper flashing. The roofing contractor also has a website featuring a picture of this chimney with a new wood saddle and a caption that specifies that new copper flashing was to be installed. Four years later it has yet to be installed and is currently covered with a granule surface ice and water shield membrane that intended to be only installed under the shingles.
Over the years, Roofing Contractor has supported me in conducting and publishing the results of various surveys about the industry. These have included studies about how property owners and specifiers view contractors, and how contractors view the value chain.
