Another roof issue

SaulGMan

So, first post here. But in desperation we’re looking for guidance. 

Our neighbours (we have a good relationship) had their roof done last year. Since then we’ve had a leak coming in the rear of our house, into our sons room. We spoke with the roofer numerous times about this and said we needed our roof doing as storm damaged. After contacting our insurance and having a surveyor take pictures the insurance company declined our claim and the pictures taken showed slates slipped and slates missing? After pushing the roofer eventually came back put the slates that slipped back and did some work with silicone (we think even though he never spoke to us). So after the extreme hot weather it rained and yes, the leak returned. 

We never had an issue before so what can we do? 

Brie

So am I right in thinking this has nothing to do with your neighbours beyond them perhaps recommending someone that worked for them?

I'd be talking to the roofer in the first instance to find out what he's willing to do if the work does not appear to have been done correctly.  I'd also ask the neighbour if they have had any issues.  They might have subsequent to their work being done but haven't mentioned it for whatever reason.  

Would you insurance cover a repair due to shoddy work?

Bendy_House

Hi Saul.

Your neighbour had their roof done last year? Why, was it coming to the end of its natural life? Quite likely, I guess? In which case, surely yours is too? In which case, that's why your insurance didn't entertain it as a claim - it is simply wearing out and vulnerable, and was not 'storm-damaged'.

Your roofer seems reluctant to sort out 'repairs', but is advocating a new roof. That is likely to be for one of two reasons; the roof is old and at the end of its natural life, so really needs redoing, and running repairs is just going to be a pain, or he wants the full-roof job, combined with the knowledge that this will almost certainly sort the leak (so he doesn't have that implied liability hanging over him).

Perhaps, then, it's time to have another roofer have a look, and to quote for both options - repair or replace?

Bendy_House

Is this roofer liable for your leaks? Yes, if the work he did to your neighb's roof caused it.

So another reason to get a different roofer out is to trace the leak - and therefore the cause.

plumb1_2

Most probably leaking on the join, maybe not used the correct fibreglass trough, as he would also have had to cut your slates down, may just bogged with flashband 
take pictures and post them 

SaulGMan

The roofer is our neighbours cousin. So he’s family?
apparently their roof is ok but he’s coming back (at some point) to deals with issues on the other side I believe. 

SaulGMan

So basically the roofer is refusing to go back up and fix the join 

Bendy_House

IF the cause IS the join that was put in when your neighbour had their roof recovered, then the roofer is liable.

You'd need to be able to demonstrate this, tho'. The easiest way would be to get another roofer in to have a look, tho' - if you were to go 'legal', then you might need a qualified surveyor.

Either way, once you can demonstrate the cause as being this, then the roofer either sorts it properly, or you get another roofer to do so and then sue.

It needs to be done properly and in the correct sequence. Do you have LP on your house insurance?

SaulGMan

Bendy_House said:

IF the cause IS the join that was put in when your neighbour had their roof recovered, then the roofer is liable.

You'd need to be able to demonstrate this, tho'. The easiest way would be to get another roofer in to have a look, tho' - if you were to go 'legal', then you might need a qualified surveyor.

Either way, once you can demonstrate the cause as being this, then the roofer either sorts it properly, or you get another roofer to do so and then sue.

It needs to be done properly and in the correct sequence. Do you have LP on your house insurance?

Yes we do have LP

Bendy_House

Call them up for advice. This is exactly what they are for.

They may require you to prove that the leak was caused by this roofer before they act, so anticipate having to contact another roofer or surveyor.

But, they should tell you what to do.

Meanwhile, collate all your 'evidence' - dates of work, dates of leak, what was said, when, what's been done, etc. Chronological order.