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Serious leak in roof and no-show roofer - how long do I give him?

4 replies

NiniLegsInTheAir · 27/12/2012 13:02

Really really worried about this, any advice appreciated.

Our Edwardian terrace has a raised parapet wall between us and neighbours on both sides. The rendering at the front of one of these walls has cracked at some point in the autumn, which means that water is getting into and along the wall, which is running along the soffit. The first I really noticed was when the damp patch appeared in our bedroom (almost directly below the parapet wall). The plaster in the corner of the bedroom has gone mottled and dark, the plaster is wet and starting to come away. The curtain rail is mounted in this corner and I'm worried both it and the ceiling plaster may come down. (This has happened once before shortly after we moved in 4 years ago).

I contacted a local roofer on the recommendation of a friend, he came out and gave us a quote (over the phone, not in writing) just over 2 weeks ago. He did warn us that it was unlikely it could be done until the new year as he has to order scaffolding etc. Discussed it with husband, rang him back and left a message saying yes please, cook us in, contact me to arrange a date etc. But I havn't heard anything back - rang him twice since (last attempt was last Friday) but he hasn't returned my calls. I appreciate that its christmas so havn't rung him again but I'm seriously concerned as it just won't stop bloody raining! Fresh wet patches have appeared this morning after heavy rain, and from looking outside more of the render has come away.

I've been up in the loft and as the water is running along the edge of the roof wall, I can't plug it with anything from inside. Most of the brickwork (apart from the edge of the wall) is dry.

Help! Do I give up on this roofer and ring around looking for somebody else? Do I ring him again? Or just wait for him to get in touch? Sad

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MousyMouse · 27/12/2012 13:14

call him again, asking to come back to you by (reasonable time). recommendations are worth a lot ime.
can you put a tarp up in the meantime?

NiniLegsInTheAir · 27/12/2012 13:24

Thanks Mousy - I'm going to ring him now. What would be a reasonable timeframe do you think?

Unfortunately don't have a tall enough ladder to get up there to cover it with anything, otherwise that'd be a great idea. Sad

OP posts:
MousyMouse · 27/12/2012 13:31

I would say after new year, he/she might be on holiday.
can you get a man+van to help? phone around, some have long ladders.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 27/12/2012 14:13

I've rung him again and asked him to get in touch by next Wednesday at the very latest (given that we have new year eve and day next week). I think that's plenty of time.

I have a neighbour up the road (a window guy) who has a long ladder, he's back from holiday tomorrow so I might ask him if he can help get some tarp up there. Until then, will have to sit here biting my nails watching the damp get ever bigger...

It's raining again...SadAngryWine

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