Homeowner Question: Is my modified bitumen roof installed correctly?

After looking at the pictures it kind of reminds me of a sanded fibreglass base sheet that they used to hot mop on. Had some one time that I tried to torch down and it would just melt away with the heat. I think it was Tamco.

Another thing it reminds me of is that old Steve Miller Band song "Take the money and run"

That's your call. It would establish a paper trail if everything has been off the record until now.

In general, home inspectors will flag defects or suspected defects in their reports but usually suggest seeking the advice of a licensed roofing contractor (or roofing professional) as they really usually have no firm grasp of specifics.

After decades in this business I consider myself a professional. Always listened to my mentors, read everything I could, poured over manuals and specs, paid attention to what other people have done and are doing. Experimented on my own and paid attention to the long-term results. Still, in spite of all that effort, I find that mistakes get made, and some of them get made not by the usual scapegoats, but actually by me. I've always found it best to be able and willing to just admit I messed something up and do whatever it takes to make it right. There's usually a legitimate answer or two for every problem, and being in denial about it only creates more hardship all the way around. Taking responsibility is what defines a professional.

When my clients tell me, "I'm so glad I'm never going to have a problem with this roof." I always tell them, "Not so fast! I hope you're right and I think you are, but everybody makes mistakes and what matters is not that you make them, but how you take care of them."

I appreciate your response. I received advice elsewhere about having a home inspector take a look at it and I think I'll do that as my first step to establish an official record of the deficiencies that have been pointed out here and on other forums.

Unfortunately, while the manufacturer and line of architectural shingles is listed on the contract, the modified bitumen was not defined. There's also the matter that we are personally and professionally entangled with the owners of the company, which is why I'm going a little slow with this before heading to the oversight bodies.

Just a couple of points:

1. Every product has a manufacturer and every manufacturer has specifications for its product, and every specification has a corresponding ES report, with associated testing results, to substantiate it. Whatever product and system was used should be a matter of record on the contract. Whatever manufacturer was entailed should be able to pass judgement on the application.

2. Your avenues of redress are specific to your locale. Building department, license board, courts... involve them.

ismyroofright Said: Well, the company I had on the line to come give an opinion doesnt want to get involved and is telling me Ill have to contact the original contractor. But how is a layman supposed to develop an informed line of argument to use with the original contractor if no other contractors will weigh in?

Layman? Hell you know about this than the dudes you hired

Well, the company I had on the line to come give an opinion doesn't want to "get involved" and is telling me I'll have to contact the original contractor. But how is a layman supposed to develop an informed line of argument to use with the original contractor if no other contractors will weigh in?

If it helps, there is sand on the surface. I saw Tamko rolls onsite but didn't take note of the product. Maybe their glass base?

Yes, seeing lines from the street are what initially set me off.

Can't tell at this point if it's actually adhesive or not.

There is a drip-edge on one section but the majority is, indeed, simply flopped over the edge and not adhered to anything. I can push against it and feel it move.

I was expecting to see the stink pipe flashed with modified bit. Or a boot. Wasn't sure what to think of the mud job.

-I've never worked with a cap sheet that has lines on it like that, only base sheet.

-In one picture your holding up the last 4-5 inches of a seam near the edge. It looks like there may be some type of material on the seam just past where your holding up. Do you know if it is the common spreadable black tar or an adhesive? Regardless, it's baloney.

-To comment about the foot prints. We used to use GAF Liberty SBS mod. bit. and I finally went with a different product because it was so soft in the summer time that we could hardly work with it. When it was necessary to grab the end of a sheet and pull it straight and tight, your fingers would just peel the granulars right off with some of the asphalt, resembling something from a horror movie. Foot prints were unavoidable, and it was still soft two years later in the summer.

-They should have put a boot on that pipe, but to be honest, at least they did a decent mud job. The boot could easily be installed wrong, but a good mud job will last 10 years depending on your area. I'm not justifying it, rather pointing out the bright side. I might get flamed a bit for this one! :laugh:

-I find it odd that they used drip edge on some spots but folded it over on other spots. Am I seeing this correctly?

Yes, ABC is eventually who they contacted. All the Joses on the job were just swinging hammers, project management and ownership come from GC and insurance backgrounds. I chalked up the unfamiliarity with tapered insulation to being "residential" contractors. Live and learn.

I have a lot of pictures here: http://imgur.com/a/3NhKm

I wasn't sure of the capacity of the upload function here and already had that album up. If I need to, I can upload them directly.

As for appearing like shingles, I just meant the texture & granulation like roll roofing, as you mentioned. The "smooth" modified bit is what I've never seen and is why I'm reserving judgement until I hear from pros. However, "tough" is not how I would describe this material. I don't expect to leave permanent footprints standing on the membrane for a few seconds on a warm but not hot day.

Lowes? You get the commercial material from a place like ABC Supply. Must be Jose' never heard of them. The best thing you can do is send a few pictures to this site. Mike from New Zealand is one of the best craftsmen I have ever seen using the Modified material, and I am sure he would critique it for you. Is it/was it self adhered or Torch on? Tapered insulation is readily available, so the clowns that you used hadn't a clue what they were talking about. On the other hand, I have never seen modified bitumen that looked like shingles, three tab or other wise. If it is granulated, it looks like rolled roofing, and if it is smooth, it is just a asphalt colored surface that is quite tough.