Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I'm Drowning


So, last night at 11:00 p.m. (with yet another raging thunderstorm happening) I’m sitting on my bedroom floor rifling through a file folder.

I’m searching for the receipt for a (total) roof job done years ago. I am both cursing and praying. “Please let there be a warranty for the job….”

Hallelujah! I find it. “10 Year Warranty on Workmanship.” Done in 2000. I made the cut-off.

But what does “workmanship” entail? It better mean more than they worked well and that the roof looks nice.

Because it’s bloody hell leaking!! There are three patches on the ceilings in 2 bedrooms where the paint and plaster are not looking good. At all.

Worse – I heard water dripping between the walls. Ominous.

I could shit bricks. I need this like a hole in the head. I’ve already had one roof repair done this year to the tune of 1000’s of dollars. (Porch roof.)

I’m having a moral dilemma here – which is actually more like wishful foolish thinking. Eventually (when things are “settled”) I’ll be selling this place and moving to something smaller. I am so tempted to have the patches fixed (a temporary cosmetic touch-up) and forget about a costly repair job. (Because with my luck this leak will not be covered by that warranty.)

I would sell as is. (Very bad, immoral, etc.)

And I know, I know, I run the risk of the ceiling eventually caving in on the boys and an even greater/costlier repair job.

Common sense will prevail. I’ll make the damn phone call. But I so do not want to deal with this.

I think I’m getting someone else’s share of bad luck on top of my own. Is anyone out there having an incredibly good year? If so, you can thank me.

And even as I write this, yet another torrential rain is falling from the heavens this morning.

But I don’t hear any crash or screams…

(The above picture is not of my ceiling but looks remarkably similar. Curses.)

19 comments:

Shari said...

I hope that it's covered under warranty. Too bad that it's hard to tell if something is covered.

I remember getting a muffler replaced on my car (years ago) and the whole system was done. I got a lifetime warranty for as long as I owned the car. Non-transferrable. (Trick here is how long do people own cars before trading it in for a newer model?)

We just got a roof job done last summer. I'll send some good vibes your way. Bummer, especially after you have had some roof work done recently.

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain... it totally sucks to spend thousands of dollars on something so... unsexy. We're actually getting our roof replaced tomorrow (after putting it off for three years). I don't think it's bad or immoral to sell "as is." If the buyer gets a home inspection, they'll probably know about the leaky roof.

Anonymous said...

Oh crap - like you need one more issue to deal with.

But I think the warranty will cover this. A total roof job in 2000 should mean no leaks.

Good luck.

oreneta said...

I sent you an e-mail, I know a great cheap roofer in TO...

Beth said...

shari:
I'm thinking a roof job should last ten years.
(Waiting for those good vibes to arrive...)

rebecca:
It does hurt. I remember when the work was done in 2000 I made people look up at the roof and go, "Wow, looks great!"
(I fear a home inspection.)

trish:
I like your positive outlook on the warranty. I'm going with it - until I hear otherwise.

oreneta:
Thanks, pal. I just might need that name. Will let you know.

Ed & Jeanne said...

I recommend duct tape. All problems can be solved with duct tape.

Oh...your blog post request is up today (Tue) on my blog. Enjoy.

Mrs. G. said...

Jeez, if it is not one thing, it is another. What a complete and total drag. Money, money, money-I'm so tired of thinking about it...tired of thinking about not having it.

I hope your day improves!

Sherry said...

Oh boy...I've been there -- leaking roof, major water damage...It think your warranty should cover this (it had better!)...because it seems to me like the workmanship is the "problem"...it can't be the materials...

However...have one of the boys go up on the roof and check -- you might have damage from a squirrel or a raccoon (in my case it was Rocky Raccoon damage)...and your house insurance will cover that on a one-time filing.

If that's the case, I can walk you through it -- that's what we did.

Charlotta-love said...

One of my exboyfriends always said if he was having a bad day, there was someone having an good day. One day I told him I planned on having a great day. He cringed and said, "great...I wonder what's in store for me..."

I hope you get your share of good luck soon!

Angel said...

dang....I hope that your roof is covered....IT BETTER BE!!! And the storms have been bad....I hope you know how to swim! ;)

Things can only get better...things can only get better....

JR's Thumbprints said...

I've done one shingling job in my lifetime, and never ever again -- too much of a back-breaker. Hopefully your contractor will fix it--that is, if he's still in business. Good luck.

Beth said...

ve:
Got it. Duct tape on the roof, in the attic and on those ceilings. So simple.
(Great post - you managed to make eggs funny. Thanks.)

mrs. g.:
Actually, the day did not improve but I'm smiling right now. Got "jollied" out of my bad mood by the boys. (Bless them.)

sherry:
If it was caused by those damn raccoons, I'm buying a pellet gun at Canadian Tire. (Kidding.)
Glad you reminded me about insurance.
I am waiting for a call back from the roofing company...and waiting...

charlotta-love:
If it truly works like that, someone else is definitely having a great year!
My luck will improve.

beth:
You're right - they can and they will. (They always do.)

jr:
I've done zero shingling jobs in my life - a tad leery of slanted heights.
(Waiting to hear back from the contractor.)

Anonymous said...

I hope and pray it is still covered. I would raise hell if it wasn't. I hate when you spend all that money and then it leaks?? That is crazy. It should last a lot longer than 10 years.

One more thing you don't need to deal with. This kind of stuff can cause so much stress.

I hope it works out for you.

Casdok said...

Oh i hope its covered too and you manage to get it sorted.
Not much fun, good luck!

Beth said...

eileen:
I plan on raising hell today if I don't hear back from the company - and perhaps even if I do!

casdok:
I will need luck, determination and anger management skills.

Undercover Mother said...

Yikes. Living here in the Northwet, like we do, we listen to our old friends talk about how fire season is well underway, but at the same time worry about the damage water can do here! Sure, we don't have a sprinkler system, but we also don't have a dry basement. But an 8 year old roof? I don't think so!

Gotta take those water issues very seriously. Hope it is under warranty!

Unknown said...

UGH. I'm so sorry about that. I really hope that it's covered under warranty. Perhaps it is. But that absolutely blows, and the drips in the walls are ominous.

Good luck.

Jules said...

Yikes! You poor thing! I checked earlier and I keep checking for an update........ but nothing! Hopefully the house and roof and you! are still standing?!!

Attila the Mom said...

Oh Gak! Keeping my fingers crossed on the warranty. What a PITA!