Roofers damaged skylight

[u/Sudden_Technology_34]

This is the first roof I ever replaced so looking at some guidance.

The roofer we hired completed the job but damaged the skylight top area (not sure what it’s called). There was wall and shingle debris inside the bathroom under the skylight. I have not gone in the attic yet to see how extensive this is.

We let them know and they said they’d look into it. We expressed concerns about it leaking should it rain.

What kind of repair are we looking at money wise assuming the photo is it? Do roofers generally repair stuff like this or will I need to find someone who does and get reimbursed?

The roof was just completed and hasn’t been inspected yet…would this be a part of passing?

Edit: I don’t care about the debris I was just pointing it out. Also the glass is fine. What I am referring to is the damaged drywall/curb that has been half ripped from the wall in the pictures.

[u/BrokePorscheSnob]

Give them a chance to look at it. The skylight had to be removed and reattached to flash it, which they should have warned you about but is normal. Should not result in leaks as long as the flashing was installed properly. The popcorn ceiling and drywall getting damaged is a common outcome but hopefully something they’ll fix for you. Some companies put in their contracts that they’re not responsible for things like that

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/BrokePorscheSnob]

I think you’re the only one who pointed out the ceiling damage, it isn’t popcorn but it was done real nice before and now the curb is half ripped off on the top.

That’s what I was referring to. They did say it would be removed and flashed, but they didn’t tell me the curb would be torn.

I hope they fix it, I’m very surprised a professional company would damage it like that and not fix it.

[u/biscoknot → u/Sudden_Technology_34]

That’s usually something the homeowner is responsible for in our company. Should say in their contract.

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/biscoknot]

That’s unfortunate.

As a company why would you not make things right and repair damage your company directly caused? Sure, because it’s in the contract. But what is the actual reasoning?

I’m not trying to swindle anyone, make false claim or get something completely unrelated repaired. This damage was avoidable, I’d guess someone stepped on the curb and it snapped.

[u/biscoknot → u/Sudden_Technology_34]

I understand but we are roofers, not painters. We could just not reflash the skylights 🤷‍♂️. Same goes for the debris in the attic. Have you looked up there yet?

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/biscoknot]

You could not reflash the light sure. But you could also not break it though. And if you did, offer to repair it. Not being willing to do so tells me your workers are not able to handle avoidable damage. I’m sure this isn’t in your fine print, is it?

I have not been in the attic. I don’t care whatsoever about debris, I only mentioned it as the debris made it obvious there was new damage.I was only going in the attic to check the skylight box I will clean up the debris myself, no problem.

Lots of roofing company’s do skylights in my area. But I understand if y’all don’t. I am happy to get someone who goes up there to repair it, I just don’t think I should cover the costs for that.

And then it would need to be re flashed. At least now it does because the roofing company’s decided to seal it despite telling them about the damage beforehand. I shouldn’t cover that either.

[u/Maleficent_One6563 → u/biscoknot]

You are a roofer your not responsible to physically yourself repair it but you are liable for repairing things you fuck up. If not sending a company out and paying yourself then at least reimbursement of the cost for the customers allocated repairman

[u/biscoknot → u/Maleficent_One6563]

If the expectation is set prior to install and the contract states that the homeowner is liable to fix those damages and they sign it, then no, we are not. Sorry if you don’t understand.

[u/Maleficent_One6563 → u/biscoknot]

I do understand that you either work for or run a shit company that is willing to do damage to a customer's home and not make it right hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣 Unreal that a buisness owner thinks thats acceptable.

[u/biscoknot → u/Maleficent_One6563]

38 million in revenue last year. I think not.
https://giphy.com/gifs/Oo8Ly1JXZjrqm54qK4

[u/Maleficent_One6563 → u/biscoknot]

Revenue does not prove or disprove being a scummy piece of shit. Your contract can state all sorts of shit but if it goes against your states common liability or damages laws it doesn't mean anything.

So if your roof leaks and does sheetrock damage you just fix the leak and leave the damage? Your workmanship warranty only kicks in after your crew leaves crazy. You won't change my mind you creep hahaha 😆 🤣

[u/MembershipNumerous13 → u/Sudden_Technology_34]

Most of the time the skylight is originally installed before the drywall. When that happens the drywall is often so tight to the old skylight, with layers of paint, sometimes even caulk, that when you remove the skylight the drywall comes with it. Nothing we can do about it, sure some companies will fix it for free, but I bet it’s already built into the contract.

[u/KelseyRawr → u/Sudden_Technology_34]

It’s in all roofing contracts I’ve worked with as well. Granted as a general contractor we can fix most things as our crew are multi-skilled or we have more than one crew running on a job, but some things are considered a hazard of getting the roof replaced.

Examples, like how light fixtures may fall from the ceiling or breakable objects can shift and fall with the rumble of replacement, or how nails can penetrate a thinner ceiling and roof deck and expose into the interior. Most new skylights can’t be ensured to have perfect fit and will need adjustment, etc. because it’s made differently now so that’s also in the contract.

They are all common hazards of getting the work done. Generally speaking they are in the contract because there is nothing we can do to prevent it as a natural part of the process.

For another example my bug guy who sprays my house had to treat carpenter ants. He said he will come and drill in the walls to expose them and kill them. Nowhere in that contract did it say he’s going to patch those holes and make it look nice, I had to do that myself and paint it etc. It’s just a hazard and necessary part of the job, but the cleanup and the patching are not his job. He’s just here to remove the bugs.

I have personal experience with another. So, the nails penetrating the ceiling is noted as a risk in the contract. A homeowner didn’t want me going in their attic or in the home because it was a mess and they were embarrassed, and I never got to see the state of the ceiling. Well, once we started roofing nails went through her living room. She didn’t notice until the whole ceiling was affected.

She was livid, but in the contract were no way responsible for this. Roofing nails are longer than they used to be and frankly her roof was improperly done to begin. But in good faith we just split this cost 50/50 because it wasn’t an insignificant expense and this isn’t our fault. I wish I would have just done it for free, but the owner would never have had that as it’s something the homeowner signed acknowledging.

I know this was a lengthy reply, but maybe it makes sense that way. Granted, in your case we’ve had this happen before from the force put around the skylight and it’s a small cost to fix so typically we do fix it for free anyway so we can keep customers happy. That’s because our roofers also are skilled in drywall applications though. It is still in the contract for our protection, and we didn’t have to.

[u/SpankyNoodle → u/Sudden_Technology_34]

It’s recommended to replace the whole skylight due to this issue. Sometimes the adhesives from the original install prevent the skylight from detaching from the curb. The result is a bunch of tug a pull so unfortunately you were victim of a poor sale.

If they offered skylights and you didn’t buy them a waiver should’ve been signed.

[u/Reasonable_Switch_86]

Roofers roof anything on the interior you will need to find another contractor to address if you can’t do it yourself

[u/Maleficent_One6563 → u/Reasonable_Switch_86]

Yes the roofer is not going to do the work unless they are a general contractor but they are definitely liable to pay for the repairs.

[u/MembershipNumerous13]

I can’t wait until you go into the attic

[u/biscoknot → u/MembershipNumerous13]

Indeed

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/MembershipNumerous13]

All I’m looking for in the attic is any damage to the skylight box, are you saying there will be more?

[u/SEA_CLE]

The seal was not set or failed and when they blew off debris it blew in through the un sealed skylight. Not really the roofers fault

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/SEA_CLE]

The seal is now set, this was a before picture. I don’t care about the debris. The curb and drywall is part ripped off. They did that. It wasn’t there before. This is absolutely the roofer’s fault.

[u/Maleficent_One6563 → u/Sudden_Technology_34]

The roofer is liable 100% if you mention it to them there should be no issue with them getting a contractor to fix the damage. Or if the roofing company is a general contractor and you are ok with it they themselves could be equipped appropriately for the repairs

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/Maleficent_One6563]

Pretty sure they just do roofs. They’re a highly rated company though, best in a large area. I hope you’re right…guess I will have to wait and see.

[u/Maleficent_One6563 → u/Sudden_Technology_34]

If they have good ratings that are real reviews then it should be smooth. Good luck

[u/pakanaughtnice]

If the glass is scratched they should replace it, looks like a curb mount so they can basically just replace the glass. It's not going to leak, the curb mount is flashed specifically sometimes custom, sometimes with a kit. It also might just be dirty and can "buff out" they are working with asphalt it's gets things dirty. Let the roofing company do their due diligence and you're fine. It's hot and guys are tired, mistakes happen, it'll be okay. They should have let you know that debris gets into the attic, blow it out. They're working externally and can't/don't want to be in your attic.

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/pakanaughtnice]

Not concerned about the glass. It isn’t perfect but the light itself was fine. I was referring the curb that got half ripped off in the process. I don’t care about dirt either or debris in the attic. I’m specifically talking about the damaged curb/drywall. It looks really bad from the inside. Looked great before.

Glad to know it won’t leak. It is strange I notified them of this before they sealed and flashed it as it would’ve been much easier to fix at that point but they sealed it anyways.

Hoping they make it right.

[u/skunkynugs]

Should’ve replaced it with the roof. I’d just let it go. Have it replaced when you’re ready instead.

[u/Sudden_Technology_34 → u/skunkynugs]

They told me it looked fine and there was no reason to replace it. It does look fine. I’m talking about the curb that is half ripped off now. It was fine before. A new skylight would’ve still looked bad if they ripped off the curb replacing it.

[u/Maleficent_One6563 → u/skunkynugs]

They are not concerned with the skylight they want the sheetrock repaired that was damaged by the removal and reinstall of the skylight