Install Problem

[Prof]

I had a class A chimney installed by a chimney guy a couple weeks ago. The other day I noticed scratches down most of the length of a standing seam panel (4th panel from the right). This is where he lowered his ladder and tools. Needless to say, I'm not happy. This is a new construction and I'm acting as the general contractor on the build. Unfortunately I already paid the guy--the day he completed the work, it was raining a bit and the scratches were not noticeable. I'm going to contact him on Monday, but before I do, I figured I'd post on here to make sure I cover my bases. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[GeHmTS]

It will be your word vs his. If he did make the markings, it would be kind of him to admit it. If he denies it, then it will be an uphill battle. If you have pics prior to the work, then you'll have an easier time telling the judge in a small claims court.

 

[BrotherBart]

I can't figure out why he worked from that side of that ski slope in the first place.

 

[Prof]

I can't figure out why he worked from that side of that ski slope in the first place.

He pulled everything up from that side, but he actually worked from the back side. That side of the roof doesn't seem to be scratched. Didn't make much sense to me either.

 

[Prof]

It will be your word vs his. If he did make the markings, it would be kind of him to admit it. If he denies it, then it will be an uphill battle. If you have pics prior to the work, then you'll have an easier time telling the judge in a small claims court.

I do have before pics--I really hope it doesn't go to court, but if it does I should probably start watching Matlock reruns.

 

[GeHmTS]

You didn't mention it, but there is also a dent in the roof. I'm not sure if this is associated with the scratch.

 

[Prof]

You didn't mention it, but there is also a dent in the roof. I'm not sure if this is associated with the scratch.

I believe it is.

 

[webby3650]

We do lots and lots of installs on new construction. The current trend is this standing seam metal on residential construction. It's very very difficult to work on! We have a lot of little tricks to get up a traditional metal roof, these methods don't work on standing seam.
The roof should not have been scratched like that. But how did you expect him to complete the job without incident on a roof like that? So many builders don't provide a lift anymore or give any advance notice so the roofers can work with the chimney contractor. Considering this is new construction, with Better planning this could have avoided in my opinion.

The roofing contractor should be able to pull out the damaged panels and replace them without too much expense, shouldn't be any reason for court to get involved.

 

[Prof]

We do lots and lots of installs on new construction. The current trend is this standing seam metal on residential construction. It's very very difficult to work on! We have a lot of little tricks to get up a traditional metal roof, these methods don't work on standing seam.
The roof should not have been scratched like that. But how did you expect him to complete the job without incident on a roof like that? So many builders don't provide a lift anymore or give any advance notice so the roofers can work with the chimney contractor. Considering this is new construction, with Better planning this could have avoided in my opinion.

The roofing contractor should be able to pull out the damaged panels and replace them without too much expense, shouldn't be any reason for court to get involved.

I did let the chimney guy know that it was a standing seam roof and he did a site visit before he ordered the parts. The Amish who installed the roof put boards under their ladder when they had to work on the section they already put down. I'm not an expert, that is why I hire people who are (or who at least claim to be and have certifications, etc.). If they required a lift, I would have made sure one was there. When I asked if getting up on the roof was going to be a problem, chimney guy said "no." As far as I'm concerned it is up to the professionals to recognize their limits.

 

[tinman100863]

I did let the chimney guy know that it was a standing seam roof and he did a site visit before he ordered the parts. The Amish who installed the roof put boards under their ladder when they had to work on the section they already put down. I'm not an expert, that is why I hire people who are (or who at least claim to be and have certifications, etc.). If they required a lift, I would have made sure one was there. When I asked if getting up on the roof was going to be a problem, chimney guy said "no." As far as I'm concerned it is up to the professionals to recognize their limits.

your beteween a rock and a hard place on this one. what I would do is have them come back to the house and face them and show them exactly what the problem is , show your pictures and ask them to please take care of this issue. To me that would be my first approach. wishing you the best

 

[webby3650]

I did let the chimney guy know that it was a standing seam roof and he did a site visit before he ordered the parts. The Amish who installed the roof put boards under their ladder when they had to work on the section they already put down. I'm not an expert, that is why I hire people who are (or who at least claim to be and have certifications, etc.). If they required a lift, I would have made sure one was there. When I asked if getting up on the roof was going to be a problem, chimney guy said "no." As far as I'm concerned it is up to the professionals to recognize their limits.

Well in that case they need to make it right.
If that happened on one of our jobs we'd make it right either way. Everyone doesn't work that way though unfortunately ...

 

[webby3650]

Do you have a picture of the flashing? I'm curious now to see what he did up there since he wasn't concerned with the problems presented with working on standing seam.

 

[tcassavaugh]

....just wondering, someone mentioned having them replace the panels.....maybe i don't get as excited as some but the functionality is not impeded, its just its appearance. could you match the paint and just spot paint it? a lot cheaper fix than replacing the panel and if its done correctly, it won't even be noticed......just a suggestion.

 

[Prof]

Do you have a picture of the flashing? I'm curious now to see what he did up there since he wasn't concerned with the problems presented with working on standing seam.

I don't have a picture. He used a lead boot. Not the cleanest looking install, but it's the back of the house and not all that noticeable.

 

[webby3650]

I don't have a picture. He used a lead boot. Not the cleanest looking install, but it's the back of the house and not all that noticeable.

Lead boot? That's very uncommon for
Class A chimney. Now I'm very curious...

 

[bholler]

Lead boot? That's very uncommon for
Class A chimney. Now I'm very curious...

We use them from time to time. They work really well with metal

 

[webby3650]

We use them from time to time. They work really well with metal

The excel flashings work so well, I can't imagine using another method!

 

[Prof]

Lead boot? That's very uncommon for
Class A chimney. Now I'm very curious...

Here is a pic of the boot. Since taking the pic, I must admit that it looks worse than I thought initially.

 

[chance04]

Eww

 

[bholler]

Wow that is ugly and will probably leak it is the wrong pitch for starters and the install looks like crap. I like the lead because when done right it looks a little cleaner than the rubber boot ones but that is bad

 

[Highbeam]

We do lots and lots of installs on new construction. The current trend is this standing seam metal on residential construction. It's very very difficult to work on! We have a lot of little tricks to get up a traditional metal roof, these methods don't work on standing seam.
The roof should not have been scratched like that. But how did you expect him to complete the job without incident on a roof like that? So many builders don't provide a lift anymore or give any advance notice so the roofers can work with the chimney contractor. Considering this is new construction, with Better planning this could have avoided in my opinion.

The roofing contractor should be able to pull out the damaged panels and replace them without too much expense, shouldn't be any reason for court to get involved.

Don't blame the victim. If the contractor can't do the job then he needs to go away. Now we're in a tough spot.

1) On the roof. Have the roofing contractor bid the repair. That's who you want fixing this, not the bozo chimney guy.
2) On the flashing. That's unacceptable. He also seems to have spray painted your chimney and then damaged that paint showing the SS beneath. I'd expect that paint to peel and look really bad later on.

Steep roofs suck. They look great but yuk, they make it way harder to work on.

My latest roofer had to redo the chimney flashing three times. They seem to like to cut corners on this.

 

[bholler]

Don't blame the victim. If the contractor can't do the job then he needs to go away. Now we're in a tough spot.

I agree but the homeowner in this case is also the gc which means they have some responsibility to make sure everything is done right also. In this case the chimney guy came out and looked at things first he should have been prepared for that situation. But i have seen many where the gc was at fault as well as the sub.

But in this case the chimney guy seems to have screwed quite a bit up and he needs to fix the issues like the roof the crappy flashing install and the scratched paint. While you are at it see what paint he used not much sticks to stainless and it needs to be prepped right as well.

 

[webby3650]

Here is a pic of the boot. Since taking the pic, I must admit that it looks worse than I thought initially.

Ya, that's pretty hideous!

 

[elmoleaf]

Didn't really notice missing paint until I zoomed in on the picture. Approach might depend on standing seam material and damage type. Is it gouges or just paint abraded/scraped from surface? Aluminum--unless super deep gouges--I'd be inclined to touch up paint. If it is a coated steel product, I'd be inclined to replace the panel if possible, unless the damage is truly superficial.
Will the fascia be covered with another material and/or gutter installed? If gutters, make sure gutter apron is used, not regular drip edge, otherwise water typically ends up behind gutter, runs down fascia, and rots it out. Consider covering fascia with brake metal panels. If to be painted, usually best to prime the wood, both sides, before installation.
Best of luck...not always an easy thing to be the GC.