What if your roof started knocking? What if the racket became so bothersome that it kept you up at night? That's the dilemma a mother and daughter from Corte Madera, Calif., were facing with their shared duplex when they wrote in to the "San Francisco Chronicle" for advice.
The trouble arose when a new roof was installed on the building. In the four years since then, the women had been experiencing knock-like sounds. The noise took place mostly at night and only in the warmer months; never in the winter. Fed up with the issue, the mother sought the advice of the newspaper's experts.
In her question and answer session, she pointed out that "the new roof was added on top of the existing flat roof." That clue pointed the experts in the right direction. Clearly because the noise did not exist prior to its installation, the new roof was the logical first place to start.
The most likely culprit? Expansion and contraction of the materials used by the roofing contractor when he laid down the new roof. In all likelihood, that meant some wood had been used during the installation process. Why? Because wood is highly sensitive to the moisture and temperature extremes most roofs are exposed to.
Were the duplex owners victims of a shoddy roofing contractor? Not necessarily. As the experts pointed out, most re-roofing projects require the replacement of either plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Current leaking, the potential for leaking and/or the need to save money often necessitate such replacement.
Stripping away "the roofing membrane (tar and gravel, composition shingle or wood shake)," typically reveals at least some extent of rotten wood, with dry rot being the usual suspect. Faced with such a situation, a roofer can and should replace the wood members that are damaged before the new roof goes on.
Too much dry rot, however, may require modification to the existing structure. In particular, the roofing contractor may have to cut into the roof. That situation appears to be the case with the "Chronicle"'s featured homeowners. Unfortunately for them, the roofer was hired by a general contractor, who just happened to be a friend of the daughter.
A roofing repair or replacement isn't the time or the place for calling in a friend of a friend and trusting that the repair or replacement will go smoothly. Insider connections and cashing in on favors, even when they come with a financial kickback, may cost you in the long run. That's not to say that you shouldn't keep a roof project all in the family when you can. Just make sure you check the roofer out as thoroughly as you would if you'd just met him or her randomly out of the phone book. The roofing contractor you use should:
- Offer proven experience - Ask how many roofing projects he or she has completed and request references from satisfied homeowners.
- Provide a written estimate - A gentleman's agreement could lead to a sticky situation down the road.
- Offer worry-free installation - Make sure your new roof is backed by an ironclad guarantee.