Advice for roofline installation tomorrow

2013yearofthehouse

Today was day 1 of our roofline installation and I've got a few concerns but I'm not really sure which if any (or in what way) to bring up with the company when they return tomorrow.

So far there is only one joint in the soffit and fascia, they are together but not lined up, it looks like the fascia on the left of the photo has been cut a bit too long. Not that noticeable from the ground so wouldn't mind if it was over a section of wall, but it's over a window and looks quite untidy from inside/behind ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/94712956@N05/8632682568/ ), as it has also created a gap on one side which draws your eye more so than if it had been all white. Should I point this out? Can anything be done or is it a case of pointing it out purely to ensure the rest of the joints are neater? Not sure if I'm just being overly fussy? I wouldn't mind if it was down the side or around the back, but it's at the front of the house and directly over the window (and my desk) in the study/office where I spend most of my time, so it'll often be in my direct line of sight. It's the only mid-run joint so far, so there's nothing to compare it too yet. They did the 7m at the front of the house (plus 10m, of fascias only, around the garage and porch) - this was in 4 hours, is that quick, slow or about right? During the quote stage they said it would take 5 days, but at this rate they'll be done by Wednesday (will be 7-8 hours a day from now on) - I'm a bit worried they're rushing for some reason.

As you can also see from the photo, they aren't cleaning the PVC once it's installed and it's quite dirty where they've handled it. Should I ask them to go back and clean it? Some parts I could clean myself, from inside leaning out the window, but other areas I wouldn't be able to reach. I know it won't take long to get a bit dirty anyway, but surely it should at least be clean when it's first installed?

The quote/contract was for all Swish products, but I have found (they haven't mentioned it themselves) they are using Floplast guttering. Is this worse, better or about the same as Swish in terms of quality and cost? As long as it's not worse quality/cheaper then I don't mind, but would have liked to have been told they'd changed it.

Not really important, but they did leave 4 power tools charging in my garage when they left. I only happened to notice as I needed to go in the garage later on for something else. They didn't say anything so if I hadn't noticed they would have been left charging almost 18 hours. Is this standard practice? I turned them off once they looked like they were fully charged.

Sorry this is really long, just not sure what to say, what to leave or if I'm being fussy! Thanks

2013yearofthehouse

They've agreed to clean the dirty sections, but said the gap was normal with Swish - not sure, anyone know if the joint in the photo is correct?

Not sure what to say to them about the guttering. I looked online and it seems the product they are using is about 50-60% cheaper than product quoted.

2013yearofthehouse

They got bitumen on the garage door today and have started (but not finished) cleaning it off with solvent. It's a white ABS door and the solvent appears to have damaged the surface slightly - there are "shiny" looking patches on it.

Not sure what to do, they are expecting to be paid tomorrow.

ian103

Don't pay until you are happy. Be firm but fair with them and say you'll pay when everything is put right.

I'd guess the gap is for expansion as its under a cover strip. Just had a look at our fascia trim and it has a lip on the rear side to hide the gap - would it look better with a bit of trim fitted to conceal the gap.

Theyve fitted a cheaper and more easily obtainable guttering system - Floplast is available from srewfix et al, so thats why theyve probably used it. Get them top provide product specifications / guaranttees for you to check.

thebaldwindowfitter

there should be a 10mm gap in lengths of upvc fascia and soffit to allow for expansion although your boards do seem slightly out of alignment . Floplas guttering is what we use it is a quality product and having fitted swish guttering years ago wouldnt say its any different .As far as the garage door is concerned i couldnt say i would agree with what ian says and make sure im happy before paying

southcoastrgi

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

there should be a 10mm gap in lengths of upvc fascia and soffit to allow for expansion although your boards do seem slightly out of alignment . Floplas guttering is what we use it is a quality product and having fitted swish guttering years ago wouldnt say its any different .As far as the garage door is concerned i couldnt say i would agree with what ian says and make sure im happy before paying

please excuse me if I'm being thick here, can you tell me how the swish facia is fixed in place ? does it use rear fixings that allow for this expansion, because if it's fixed using poly nails then it isn't going to expand anyway, OP IMO that isn't acceptable at all

thebaldwindowfitter

southcoastrgi wrote: »

please excuse me if I'm being thick here, can you tell me how the swish facia is fixed in place ? does it use rear fixings that allow for this expansion, because if it's fixed using poly nails then it isn't going to expand anyway, OP IMO that isn't acceptable at all

Upvc fascias and soffits are fixed with poly top nails and an expansion gap of 10mm should be left for expansion
http://www.swishbp.co.uk/installation/

2013yearofthehouse

I got them to look again at the joint shown in the photo I posted. They appear to have moved the "joiner" slightly (since the fascias are nailed in place they stayed put) so now the expansion gap is at least central (there's a gap either side of the upside down "T" which does at least look more balanced than it being all one side). It still looks odd, but it was the best they could do apparently.

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

Upvc fascias and soffits are fixed with poly top nails and an expansion gap of 10mm should be left for expansion
http://www.swishbp.co.uk/installation/

Interesting video, thanks. I had read the installation guide before everything went ahead, but not watched the video. I'm not really sure how they attached the soffits on our house. It was a bit blink and you miss it. They definitely didn't use the hangers as shown in the video, but there also aren't any fixings on the underside of the soffit (as shown in the installation guide), it's completely smooth. Any idea? The company we used are Swish approved installers. I did question them on their use of only 1 poly top nail to attach the fascias to the rafters, as the installation guide says it should be at least 2 (which is how many the video also shows and how many our old timber boards had), but they said 1 is adequate on small fascias (it's 175mm), does that sound right? The nail is located on the bottom half of the fascia below the guttering. I would have thought another would be needed behind where the guttering is positioned in order the resist the force/weight in/on the gutters when it rains heavily, but maybe I'm wrong?